Air pressure is gone, stuck in a Monaco Dynasty

[mexicanpiloto13]

We have a 1998 Monaco Dynasty with a Cummins 6C 8.3 engine and we have lost all air pressure but fortunately made it to a parking lot in Springfield, MA. where we are currently stuck. I have the tire blocked by rocks, can't even engage the parking brake!! I'm hoping somebody may have some ideas. Going down the Massachusetts Parkway, my warning light came on "low air, check engine" however the air pressure was over 110 psi. I suspect at this point, the air compressor was beginning to go. The indicators came on and off intermittently, but maintained full air pressure...for a while, then it starting dropping to 80, 70, 60 psi. It was all we could do to get to the bottom of the hill and get off the freeway in Westfield. we were trying to make it to a WalMart when the air pressure was just too low and we pulled into a parking lot, just for safety. PSI is now about 10 lbs. Diesel mechanics are out for the weekend and Cummins is closed until Monday. I checked all fuses, looked under the rig for any broken wires and saw none. Tried draining the air compressor tanks (2 of them) of water and there was no water. Anybody had this experience before? We would appreciate any info.
Thanks

[wolfe10]

STRONG SUGGESTION:

If you are in a safe place, get a mobile tech-- WAY before getting a tow.

Sure, it it is more than an air leak, governor or something else easy to fix, you may need to be towed, but do not subject your coach to a tow unless it is REALLY necessary.

[mdanielson55]

since you are dead in a parking lot glag down another motorhome and hopefully one of you will have an air line. I carry 50 ft to fill my own tires and another coaches air system. he can fill you with air to release your brakes and maybe follow you to a shop.you should be able to drive aways once you have air. there are only two quick hook ups for air hoses if you buy yourself a hose buy the other hookup so you can hookup to a motor home a shop compressor or a compressor you put in a storage bay

[CT_WANDERER]

I believe most MH with diesel engines have an air line adaptor that would let the tow truck to plug into so, your air brakes can be released for towing. IMHO, you are in need of help from a good service place with your knowledge of your air system. Good Luck

[J_R2]

Try a TA or LUVS truckstop if 1 in your area. They have 24hr mobile service. Our trucks use them when no dealer available. As fair as can be.

[mexicanpiloto13]

One of the contributors who suggested classes on air brakes for RV owners might be right, but it doesn't help us out in the situation. If we all knew as much, we wouldn't need a forum! We are getting ready to have our vehicle towed to a repair facility, and I don't know this one either....wheels are locked up with low air pressure, how do they tow a rig like that?
And I'm wondering...I have an air chock connection for a hose on the side of our rig and what if air was fed in from that connection, does anything believe it may energize the air pressure of the coach, enabling me to move the coach and position it for towing? Or could there be a check valve that might block the air. This air line contains the full air pressure of the coach and I use it to top off our tires occasionally. Thanks. We have a 1998 Monaco Dynasty and it looks like the coach came equipped with this air connection by the propane tank.

[Busskipper]

wolfe10 wrote:
You need to get someone who is familiar with air systems to look at it. Highest failure rate items are:

Governor (under $25)
Air dryer: cost depends on what dryer you have-- a FACTORY reman (i.e. the company that built it, not cheap knock-off)

Yes, you could have a massive leak. But if you start the coach and go to high idle for 2 minutes and then shut it off, you would hear the leak just walking around the coach.

And, as already posted, zero air pressure means the parking brake IS on! It is spring applied and air released. No air-- it IS on.

Lot'a of good info - but what you will likely need is the "Local RV Mobile Mechanic" call around to ALL the local RV parks to see if they have the number for a Mobile Mechanic to come access the problem, cannot even make an educated guess with the information given.

Someone who knows RV's needs to look at it.

BOL,

[mpierce]

This post is why so many of us want a separate license for large RV'ers! Here is someone who does NOT understand AT ALL how air brakes work!

He should AT LEAST be required to know that air PARKING brakes go on when the air pressure is released.

Scheesssh!

[John_S_]

I would check what has been stated. If you do not understand, then see if a mobile guy can come out. You need to look at the air dryer, governor and the compressor and unloader. It is one of those unless you have a blown hose but that would have to be from he compressor to the tanks. If it was just a tank you would hear it leaking. If you start up can you hear any air is the first thing. Then you can go to the governor. Go in the back and look for it, it is a D2 and take the black cap off and turn the screw all the way one way and then back the same number of turns and then do it the other way. That might get it to work. If not then you need to look at he air dryer. I think with the age of your unit, it is a good possibllity that it is the Air dryer. A mobile guy can bypass it though I am thinking of getting the stuff to do mine and a plug too as you have to plug off one line as well. Depending on which dryer you have, they may not make it any longer and you will have to get a reman or a new version and have it plumbed in.

[jorbill2or]

midnightsadie wrote:
just a guess look for loose belt,

Compressor is gear driven .. No belts on purpose ! And I believe by law ....
as already said with less than about 60 psi your spring brakes will set ( emergency brakes ) air pressure releases them .. Pushing The yellow valve . If the yellow valve is up and won't go down your E brakes are set
Btw if your spring brakes are set and you can still drive they are out of adjustment big time

[mexicanpiloto13]

Thanks to all the great people who responded with advice on our lack of air Pressure. even the fellow who lives nearby and told us of a good donut shop and local activities!!!. I talked to Comins and they didn't think a mobile tech could definitely fix the problem they said a mobile took could cost $700 and no guarantee of fixing the problem, as it could also be a governor issue. To answer some of the questions , fan belts are fine no slippage, I did not hear any air hissing, the airbags remain fully inflated. The man from Cummins asked if I noticed any blown hoses. he indicated this is a very unusual problem. I didn't see any sudden drop in the air pressure , but it dissipated over a period of hours not right away. I got no water out of the air compressor chambers underneath the rig but up not changed the desiccant filter in several years.
Thanks to all for your help, great forum.

[bob_b]

Same thing happened to us on our 06 Allergo Bus. It was the dryer leaking continually. I was able to disconnect the inlet and outlet hoses and connect them together thus bypassing the dryer and drive it to get service. Bob

[charlie_good_ti]

I should have said check pop off when pulled safely off road.

[charlie_good_ti]

When air oressure is diminished to 60psi an dropping you brakes are starting to drag an so first thing should be get off side of road safely. Driving with them dragging risks a BREAK FIRE starting an that can lead to a loss of rv! One of easiest things you can than do is check that the air drier pop off valve is closed an not leaking.You might if air drier is not leaking have a ruptured diaghfram leaking air an that calls for a service person. For those of you mechanically minded there is a very inexpensive adapter available at a truck stop or probably napa store that allows you to bypass air drier pop off valve.Again please do not try to drive with brakes dragging

[wolfe10]

You need to get someone who is familiar with air systems to look at it. Highest failure rate items are:

Governor (under $25)
Air dryer: cost depends on what dryer you have-- a FACTORY reman (i.e. the company that built it, not cheap knock-off)

Yes, you could have a massive leak. But if you start the coach and go to high idle for 2 minutes and then shut it off, you would hear the leak just walking around the coach.

And, as already posted, zero air pressure means the parking brake IS on! It is spring applied and air released. No air-- it IS on.

[Rick_Jay]

mexicanpiloto13,

I have zero experience with DP's, but I always thought you needed air pressure to keep the brakes off, so I'm a bit puzzled as to why they would not be applied without any air pressure.

As far as reaching Walmart, I don't believe that Walmart allows overnight parking any more, though it IS a SuperWalmart now and they are open 24 hours...so not sure how'd they know. 🙂

You are literally the next town over from us. Probably can't help you with your rig, but if there's anything else I can do, don't hesitate to ask.

If you have a dinghy and like donuts, tomorrow morning head south down 10 & 202 into Southwick and stop at Mrs. Murphy's Donuts (on the left shortly after the junction with Rt. 57).

We also have Six Flags New England in Agawam, and the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. My son has a Little League game on Cross St. in Westfield tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. if you're really bored! LOL

Good Luck,

~Rick