| Author |
Message |
laceysdad (68.62.230.69)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 4:44 pm: | |
New to the whole diesel coach scene. Getting ready to purchase early 90's Barth built on a Gillig chassis. Owner says the suspension leaks down overnight. Is this typical on a 15-year old coach? Is it "probably" a find-and-fix or should I expect hundreds (or thousands) in repair costs? Is an ovenight leakdown something you tolerate, or repair immediately? TIA for any advise and information. |
laceysdad (68.62.230.69)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 7:11 pm: | |
Oops, I read more and realize this board is primarily for bus enthuasists. Didn't intend to enter an RV-type comment. Since I cannot edit/delete the message, I apologize for the intrusion. Perhaps an administrator can remove? |
TWO DOGS (65.179.200.169)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 7:49 pm: | |
leak downs happen...what is really a pisser ...if it doesn't leak down evenly...it should hold air for a week...not too expencive to fix...once you find out WHERE the leak is...that's the hard part... |
Jim Ashworth (Jimnh) (172.144.49.201)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 7:52 pm: | |
Not an intrusion to the board since most busses have air suspension. Yes, its typical, but not what it could be. Suspension should stay up for 2-3 weeks and can stay up for 2 months if in good condition. Is it expensive to fix? Probably not. Worse case is a defective air bellows at $100, a levelling valve is $39, check valve is $3 and loose fittings are $0. A good soaking of the components with soapy water will tell where the leak is. Soap it before you buy it. Its a good bargaining point if you know just what is wrong. Good luck with the purchase
Jim |
laceysdad (68.62.230.69)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 8:56 pm: | |
OK, thanks folks. I appreciate the input. Really didn't have a clue as to the magnitude of such a condition, dollar-wise. I suppose a good dose of common sense and a gallon of soapy water is the place to begin. Thanks again.
BTW: this site contains a wealth of information for someone in my "newbie" position. The dissertations on diesel fuel itself is an eye-opener for me. Safe journeys and happy restorations to you all. |
mel 4104 (66.119.33.135)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 9:15 pm: | |
be sure that you block it up right before you go working on it under neith as they can come down in a hurry. if you can find a pit to run it over that would be the easy way ,as Jim stated soapy water, bubble bath soap or windex is great as they hold a bubble longer and bigger thandish water soap. use a spray bottle and start at one end and work your way to the other fixing things as you go.and they will stay up for a very long time when all the leaks are gone. hope you find them and ask questions any time you never know some one else might also need the answer.. |
Robert Wood (Bobwoodsocal) (4.46.108.207)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 9:43 pm: | |
hey Laceysdad, I have 2 buses, one leaks down in hours, the other overnight. Thay both need fixed, only one will be (click on my name and you can see it). Hang around, lots of good people here! all the best! Bob |
TWO DOGS (65.179.200.169)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 10:32 pm: | |
for tiny leaks in the airbag...undo the air line & squirt green tire sealer in... |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (65.74.66.104)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 12:45 am: | |
Better yet, Two Dogs, replace the air bag. Those leaks are the equivalent of checks in a tire. Sealing them and continuing to use the bag just increases the chance of failure with little warning.
The kind I'm talking about produce an extremely fine foam on their surfaces after being sprayed with soapy water. Most of ours did that after we bought our coach.
For what it's worth.
Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576
Suncatcher |
TWO DOGS (63.185.81.12)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 2:06 am: | |
did it for years...hauling 80,000 pound loads...to each his own I guess |
laceysdad (68.62.230.69)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 8:24 am: | |
Mr. Wood, I can see why you would go the extra mile for that bus. Very nice.
The "foam" effect would probably indicate that the structure as a whole had lost it's integrity. That green-slime (I think that's the nomenclature for motorcycle tire application) would sure be worth a try until a "Round-tuit" could be procured. :-)
Two Dogs: I am a 2-dogger also. Goldie and Scottish terrier. They love the RV travelling style. |
TWO DOGS (63.185.80.233)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 9:03 am: | |
Ain't got no dogs |
BrianMCI96A3 (64.12.116.135)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 9:44 am: | |
Two Dogs, was originally a 2 dogger only to his pappy... it has to do with an old joke...
Brian |
laceysdad (68.62.230.69)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 11:08 am: | |
LOL, ok ok 2-dogs. Sorry for the misdirected comment. :-) I don't really have dogs either, just a few goats, one ornery old snappin turtle named Chomp and some cats missing toes (too close to the turtle). Man, I have totally wiped out my own tread. Got the advise I needed then just let it go to seed. :-) |
cjm (65.132.121.69)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 5:07 pm: | |
Try using the stuff kids use to blow bubbles with. It has glycerin in it; makes the bubbles last longer and get bigger so they're easier to see. John |