Hello all. I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas. Looking forward to the new year. To end this year, my coach decided to present me with a new problem. One that I need to fix ASAP. When the coach is idling, in drive, I am losing air pressure. Idling in gear at 5mph for a couple blocks and I will lose about 30psi. Driving at speed and the compressor keeps the air up but stopping at traffic lights and I can see the pressure begin to drop. I've blasted what fittings I have found and have located 5 small leaks which I will fix. The sixth is a pinhole in the front air tank so that will have to be replaced. None of these leaks are sufficient to cause the air pressure drop I'm experiencing. Further investigation revealed a possible culprit but I'm not sure how to proceed. With the coach idling, in gear, parking brake set, I can hear air escaping from the door air seal. I assume, (yeah, I know what that means) the air seal allows the psi to drop. What I don't know is how to trouble shoot it. So far, I've found no one that is familiar with how this seal works. I would guess there is a solenoid somewhere that controls it. Again, I assume it would have to be adjustable in order to control the psi to that seal but I could be wrong. I put a call into Monaco but I was 15th in cue so I left a voice mail and am waiting for them to call back. If anyone here who has had a similar problem and can point me in the right direction, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance....Dennis

If the rig is parked/running can you open the door and apply soapy water to the door seal to spot a leak - kinda like finding a leak in an air mattress? Just a thought.

Time to trade her in for a new one. :ESorry I have no clue but Merry Christmas to you and yours and happy New Year.Hope it's a easy fix.

Sorry Dennis I can't comment on your question regarding the door seal. Are all your air springs passing the leak test?

Both my bigger air leaks were ride ht valves. Maybe send Dou Rainer a PM?

I found this thread on another forumair-door-seal

Air Leak UPDATE FIXED! | Good Sam Community

46 Replies

Stim
Explorer
Jan 11, 2019
For anyone dealing with an air leak, a child's hearing can hear them much better than an adult.
wildmanbaker
Explorer
Jan 11, 2019
Alright! A lot more peace of mind now to boot.
bjbear
Explorer
Jan 11, 2019
Executive wrote:
Took the coach in today to have it 'fixed'. Technician spent time going over the coach from stem to stern. Found several air hoses with leaks, one pretty large. Tightened up all fittings and replaced four hoses. No pin hole in air tank, leak was at the fitting. Total cost was $700 but the coach is 100% now. I repaired the door seal myself and it's not leaking either. I'm a happy camper again.....thanks to everyone who responded to my posting. You guys are tops with suggestions and ideas....Dennis

Glad you got everything fixed. The number of problems suggests that the system has been deteriorating over time. Everyone with air brakes should perform a pre-trip inspection regularily which will identify problems early before they become a potential safety issue. Truckers do one every day (or are supposed to). I have attached a link to a pre-trip I adapted for an RV from the standard commercial vehicle one.

http://www.visualsc.com/air_brakes.pdf
2_many_2
Explorer III
Jan 11, 2019
Great news! Thanks for the follow up.
Executive45
Explorer III
Jan 11, 2019
Took the coach in today to have it 'fixed'. Technician spent time going over the coach from stem to stern. Found several air hoses with leaks, one pretty large. Tightened up all fittings and replaced four hoses. No pin hole in air tank, leak was at the fitting. Total cost was $700 but the coach is 100% now. I repaired the door seal myself and it's not leaking either. I'm a happy camper again.....thanks to everyone who responded to my posting. You guys are tops with suggestions and ideas....Dennis
wildmanbaker
Explorer
Jan 03, 2019
I have welded a number of air tanks that had developed leaks. Unless it is an ASME coded tank, you would be surprised on how thin some of them are, especially small tanks. I have even converted hot water tanks into air tanks. Hot water tanks have a working pressure of 150, and burst pressure of 300 psi. I only used the non-glass lined ones.
MrWizard
Moderator
Jan 03, 2019
is the tank Aluminum or steel, Aluminum doesn't rust
weld and be done
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Jan 03, 2019
I would also get an after market tank. they do come in all sizes, But I would not weld the old tank. the interior condition is a big unknown.
diplomatdon
Explorer
Jan 03, 2019
Dennis, I would measure up the tank and available space and try any major truck distributor. Air tanks are air tanks and maybe I'm wrong but $1300 sounds a little high. Good luck, Don.
2_many_2
Explorer III
Jan 03, 2019
Thanks for the up-date. As suggested, I think I would consider welding the tank too. Best of luck :)