Forum Discussion

USMC46's avatar
USMC46
Explorer
Dec 09, 2014

Another Air Question

Have a 2004 Durtch Star. It has been parked (on jacks) for a few months (in Corus Christi). We are loading it in preparation for full timing for a spell. While it has been sitting (jacks up), I notice it has been settling down to a lower height, and when started up, raises back up to normal ride height. I think that is normal.....But...how long should it stay at normal ride height once the engine is shut off ? Does that time vary depending upon outside temperature (it seems to lower quicker in cool weather). It does not take long to raise back up when the engine is started, and the air brakes seem to be working fine on the road. Do I have a air problem..., or is this normal ? Thanks for any comments.
  • Some people will say the there should be NO air leak in the air system ever. In truth that's almost impossible to achieve, even the D.O.T. realizes that and allows a certain amount of leak down in trucks on the road. I'd say that if it leaks down to 0 psi in the system after 24 hrs then your OK. The 20+ years I drove truck I never had a truck that would hold air over night.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Why not delete your double post. You do not say how long it takes to lower??? My air bags will stay level for about a month and then the right side will lower about 2" over the next month.
    This is different than the air gauges that may stay above 60 psi for a day or two. Like the above post, I'd be happy if my dump truck held any air overnight.
  • My MH has a 2006 Frightliner chassis w/less than 20k miles on it. I called a Freightliner service center concerned about my loss of air. I was told that a loss of 3 lbs in 10 minutes was within limits.

    I recorded my air pressure each hour over 10 hours and found the front and read pressure (dash gauge) went from 100/95 lbs to 63/60 lbs, this made no change in height. After 14 hours the MH did go down in the rear 4 inches, the front had no change.

    My air pump gauge on the fire wall went from 127 lbs to 60 lbs over the 10 hours.

    Freightliner said my system air loss was reasonable.
  • It's my understanding If your on jacks " hydraulic" jack pads and they settle down, you have a hydraulic problem not a "air " problem. If you have air leveling.... overall air tank pressure is unrelated as a check valve prevents back flow into the tank and the bags should stay inflated .. If not they are leaking .. Many auto air level coaches have a electric compressor to keep the bags pressure constant and level (checking every 30 min or so)
    If your just noticing when you raise your hydraulic jacks the coach is lower then the air bags have lost air with the system since they aren't leveling bags they have no check valve to prevent loss eithe the tank. And create another point to lose air also!
    Air leak down in the tanks is almost impossible to stop just too many connections and like others I'm a comercial truck driver and have 0 air pressure after a day or more in my company tractor sitting this is normal ( a pain ) but normal.
  • I don't understand what the question is. Is something not working? I also drove 18 wheelers for years and never had a unit hold air overnight as has been previously stated. If the unit airs up when started and has no large noticeable leaks, if the airbags refill and lift the coach to normal operating height then you have no problem.