Author Topic: Air Leak Fixed  (Read 7685 times)

Karl Welhart

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 226
  • Thanked: 60 times
Air Leak Fixed
« on: June 12, 2012, 02:49:53 PM »
This was a two part problem.  First, I have had a very small air leak for several years.  The air pressure would go down about 50 psi with in 48 hours.  I know that is rather normal and with in acceptable range, but spent alot of time looking for this leak.  About two weeks ago, started the engine and aired the system up as normal.  Everything seemed fine as the unit has been in storage for a couple of months.  

Then a few days ago, I was getting ready to leave for our summer trip and could not get the air system to pressurize.  I could hear the air blowing from somewhere under the coach.  Spending several hours looking for the leak, I discovered it was the supply line from the front reserve tank to the leveling valve.  This line runs over the fuel tank and only the ends/fittings are clearly accessable.  Anyway, after replacing/fishing a new line, the old line had a very large (.25") hole in the very middle.  This would put it at the very top of the fuel tank.  

With the new air line in place, both problems are fixed....  The conclusion of several others that looked at this hole in the old air line, is that it may have had a very small leak due to weak wall or at some point may have been crimped during the original installation.  Ths weak spot got the attention of a local field mouse/rat and he may have decided this would be a good place to get some condensation as the small leak passed air.  Clearly, the large hole was from the mouse/rat eating away at the air line.

The system has now held pressure for over week with very little loss.  Will start our trip later this week.  Life is good, except for the rats of the world.   :)
Karl and Nancy Welhart, F36017
2014 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP (2014-current)
2002 Patriot (2002-2014)
1997 Monterey (1997-2002)
Niceville, Florida

Gerald Farris

  • Guest
Re: Air Leak Fixed
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2012, 03:50:40 PM »
Karl,
It is great that you were able to fix your air leak. Rodents are the number one source of problems in stored RVs. I have even had a problem or two with them getting into the coach and my coach, and as a fulltimer, my coach never goes into storage.

Gerald  

Karl Welhart

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 226
  • Thanked: 60 times
Re: Air Leak Fixed
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2012, 09:26:39 PM »
The story continues...  Went today to move from storage to my driveway inorder to pack and leave Thursday.  Well guess what?  The same line was again eaten by the rodents.  Replaced the line again, was a little easier this time, but still not a fun job.  All is well again for now.
Karl and Nancy Welhart, F36017
2014 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP (2014-current)
2002 Patriot (2002-2014)
1997 Monterey (1997-2002)
Niceville, Florida

Edward Buker

  • Guest
Re: Air Leak Fixed
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2012, 11:09:10 PM »
Sounds like it is time to consider sleeving that air line over the fuel tank with some material that they cannot/would not chew. I think DOT uses the term armor to protect a line from abraison.

Later Ed

Karl Welhart

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 226
  • Thanked: 60 times
Re: Air Leak Fixed
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2012, 11:27:45 PM »
Yes, what kind of material would be a armor for this air line?  It seems strange to me that the rodent has picked this line.  There are many other line around this area.
Karl and Nancy Welhart, F36017
2014 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP (2014-current)
2002 Patriot (2002-2014)
1997 Monterey (1997-2002)
Niceville, Florida

Dick Simonis

  • Guest
Re: Air Leak Fixed
« Reply #5 on: June 13, 2012, 12:06:23 AM »
It probably likes the nice cozy area above the fuel tank and this line just happens to be there.  Hopefully, it didn't develop a tast for you fuel lines.

There are steel braided hoses available as well as braided SS covers that may fit over the line.  Check McMaster Carr, they may have a selection you can use.

Karl Welhart

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 226
  • Thanked: 60 times
Re: Air Leak Fixed
« Reply #6 on: June 13, 2012, 01:21:28 AM »
Thanks for the help... So far, engine runs fine, genset runs fine.  Hav e not checked Hydro-Hot yet.  Keeping my fingers crossed on the fuel lines.  They will not be as easy to replace as this air line.
Karl and Nancy Welhart, F36017
2014 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP (2014-current)
2002 Patriot (2002-2014)
1997 Monterey (1997-2002)
Niceville, Florida

Glenn Perkins

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 9
  • Thanked: 3 times
  • 99 Marquis
Re: Air Leak Fixed
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2012, 03:11:10 PM »
And I can add to the rodent story!  Not with air or fuel lines though I did have to have the Genset and hurricane fuel lines replaced after 10 years of fulltiming - not an easy task for the faint of heart since the fuel tank needs to be lowered / tpped to access the top fittings - but I digress.

To the rodent situation ... if you ever have a situation where the Genset will not run or runs but with excessive black smoke exhaust, check your fresh air intake system.  Over a number of years drycamping on our wilderness property near the Grand Canyon, it appears that the wood rats prevalent in that area discovered the Genset was a good source of warmth on the cool evenings at 6200 ft elevations.  On two occasions, Ken Vick (Onan Specialist extraordinaire with Rocky Mountain Cummins in Albuquerque) resolved our rough running, black smoke spewing issues by one time removing a single wood rat blocking the fresh air intake and a second time by removing a whole family of field mice.  Our resolution here was to cover every orifice on the Genset with heavy duty screening that is available at Home Depot - this seems to have resolved the repeat invasions.

Unlike Gerald, though we have been able to keep the rodents out of the living area ... thank God as my DW would be very upset otherwise ... by a liberal use of course steelwool around water hose entry points and the Hurricane exhaust.

Good luck with the varmints!

Glenn