1997 CC Allure:While on our last weekend trip, loss of air to rear bags after driving 100+ miles. Happened after hitting brakes to slow for exit ramp.Got off the hwy pulled into a parking lot. I could hear an air leak spurting in rhythm, (as a pump). and air pressure gauge was down to about 65lb.So then I get a tech out from Smiths Diesel Service in Checotah OK. about 30 min. later. I had it parked on a 4x6inch block, he crawled under and asked me to start it. He looked around a few minutes found problems. (No sound of a leak now either)The bags suddenly started to fill on their own. He said he didn't do anything but suggested I change out the dryer filter…Drove about 40 miles to Wagner and it happened again after stopping at a red light.We pulled into a vacant lot and I could hear the leak again.I decided to have lunch and give it about 30 minutes or so to see if it "fixed itself" again.It did and we made it to the campground and hasn't happened again all the way home, which is about 140 miles.Oh, the tech called his boss and the said NO Charge for the service call. I told him that Coach Net would pay it , but he said "have a nice day'Any thoughts on my problem? I haven't change the dryer filter yet, but will do so shortly….

Don't ya just hate intermittent problems? I'd rather it break so I (or a tech) could find the break. But, anyway, you got lucky and were able to go camping and return home without too much issue. But, one of the first things I'd do is, get ahold of that company that came out to attempt to fix your rig and then, drove off without charging anything. Man, that's rare. I'd send them a seriously nice letter and maybe even MotorHome magazine too. I wouldn't expect a "no charge" each and every time but, the fact that they took the time to drive out and even climb under your rig cost's them money. Nice company. Don't know what your problem is with your air system but, if and when you find out, please surely post it so that others, if they should develop the same issues, might look at the same fix. Good luck.Scott

Shouldn't be that difficult to find WHEN it is acting up. Make sure to block the frame, so you are safe going under.Locate that huge air leak-- could be a ride height valve, could be the air dryer itself, etc.The good news is that that massive a leak will be LOUD!Also, check you wet (rear) tank drain. Look for oil, water or worse white powder (failed dryer filter media).

One guess is a bad/sticky ride height valve. They release air when trying to drop height and will stick open. I had a bad one on the front that wouldn't close and it would hiss air until it decided to work. When you stop the rear rises a bit so it opens to lower the rear.

Thanks for the comments,My dump valves are inside the steering compartment , I dumped all 3 and nothing but air came out.Scott, yes I need to send them a letter, to thank them, I was only a mile from their shop , But still…. it cost them money and time. I will post should I figure out what the problem is , or maybe someone can point in the right direction.As far as ride hight valves, it got new ones last year all the way around. I don't see how they could stick being a mechanical device in either raise, lower or neutral, but I guess it's possible.

The more I think about it the more I think it is a ride ht valve. Do you have one in back and two in front? What else would hiss then quit?I don't think an airbag would. The desiccant doesn't have a vent. Ride ht valves release air (or inflate the bags) around corners and up and down hills. Mine hissed and wouldn't inflate the bags even tho the actuator was telling it until it warmed up. I used to hit it with a heat gun. When it warmed up it worked fine. I took it apart to clean it look at it. It was filled with something like mineral oil and little flat reeds that moved up and down. Weird.

Loss of air on rear axel and then…. Update...

17 Replies

Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2013
OK. But if the purge valve stuck open rear AND front would drop.
Just his rear dropped.
wolfe10
Explorer
Aug 10, 2013
Yes, the air dryer DOES have a purge valve-- that is the noise you hear when the air compressor governor cuts out (normal). They CAN stick open.
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2013
The more I think about it the more I think it is a ride ht valve.
Do you have one in back and two in front? What else would hiss then quit?
I don't think an airbag would. The desiccant doesn't have a vent.
Ride ht valves release air (or inflate the bags) around corners and up and down hills.
Mine hissed and wouldn't inflate the bags even tho the actuator was telling it until it warmed up. I used to hit it with a heat gun. When it warmed up it worked fine.
I took it apart to clean it look at it. It was filled with something like mineral oil and little flat reeds that moved up and down. Weird.
polar76
Explorer
Aug 09, 2013
Thanks for the comments,
My dump valves are inside the steering compartment , I dumped all 3 and nothing but air came out.

Scott, yes I need to send them a letter, to thank them, I was only a mile from their shop , But still…. it cost them money and time.

I will post should I figure out what the problem is , or maybe someone can point in the right direction.
As far as ride hight valves, it got new ones last year all the way around. I don't see how they could stick being a mechanical device in either raise, lower or neutral, but I guess it's possible.
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Aug 09, 2013
One guess is a bad/sticky ride height valve. They release air when trying to drop height and will stick open. I had a bad one on the front that wouldn't close and it would hiss air until it decided to work. When you stop the rear rises a bit so it opens to lower the rear.
wolfe10
Explorer
Aug 09, 2013
Shouldn't be that difficult to find WHEN it is acting up. Make sure to block the frame, so you are safe going under.

Locate that huge air leak-- could be a ride height valve, could be the air dryer itself, etc.

The good news is that that massive a leak will be LOUD!

Also, check you wet (rear) tank drain. Look for oil, water or worse white powder (failed dryer filter media).
FIRE_UP
Explorer
Aug 09, 2013
Don't ya just hate intermittent problems? I'd rather it break so I (or a tech) could find the break. But, anyway, you got lucky and were able to go camping and return home without too much issue. But, one of the first things I'd do is, get ahold of that company that came out to attempt to fix your rig and then, drove off without charging anything. Man, that's rare. I'd send them a seriously nice letter and maybe even MotorHome magazine too. I wouldn't expect a "no charge" each and every time but, the fact that they took the time to drive out and even climb under your rig cost's them money. Nice company.
Don't know what your problem is with your air system but, if and when you find out, please surely post it so that others, if they should develop the same issues, might look at the same fix. Good luck.
Scott

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Loss of air on rear axel and then…. Update...

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