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wb13798 · 09-25-2002, 07:03 PM

my rear air bag suspension is slowly loosing air pressure ..the bags are about 18 months in service, installed by jackson center. my last trip the suspension dropped 2 inches in four hours. . was taking a couple of days, now overnight the pressure in bladders and holding tank go to zilch,, i have put the rig on a lift and sprayed soap all every thing and i got some bubbles at the control valve. worked with the valve and the bubbles stoped.. however next day the bags were at zilch again.. jackson center says bad valve. ok valve cost $202 . but i would like to convince myself that is the problem . any suggestions????????????????????????????????
al

PeterH-350LE · 09-25-2002, 09:26 PM

Al,
the price Airstream and their dealers charge for those valves is Highway robbery.
They are made by Skinner Valve and you can order them thru one of their distributors.
I got the number of my valve (i have two on my rear suspension) and special ordered it. I was quoted ~$180.- per valve from InlandRV and ended up paying 41.85 each.
http://www.parker.com/parkersql/defa...?type=2&id=119
If you stopped the bubbles at the valve and you are still loosing air, your compressor could be leaking internally. You can remedy that by installing an inline check valve right at the compressor. InlandRv sales the small check valves for $30.- something.

wb13798 · 09-26-2002, 08:42 AM

peter
the suspension has a check valve at the tank, to do what you suggest . dont know if it is working. i found a valve for $170 . if it is a boat or rv just plan on paying a sky high price. i pumped the suspension up last night and it is still up didnt leak down. probably is the valve as that is the one item that is subject to movement and vibrations. when it quits raining i plan to try some things to isolate the valve, and determine if the check valve is working. thanks for the suggestions.

wb13798 · 10-19-2002, 09:03 AM

replaced valve problem solved. but i used a $43 valve from an heavy truck supply. thanks for the help..

ALANSD · 10-20-2002, 01:19 PM

question- can you deplete any air at that valve? I wondered if there was a way to let air out. My input valve is just that, and will let moisture out, and air in, but you can't let air out because of the valve further up in the system. I might have blown a bit too much air into the bags,( using air chuck). My compressor is still out...

wb13798 · 10-20-2002, 01:36 PM

hi
if your valve is working you can not over fill the bags. the valve is mechanical and when it raises the coach to the set height , air going into the bags is cut off. dont think the can blow the valve but who knows. pressure in the tank is normally 100lbs. you could put more but it should not matter maybe blow the hoses . dont know this is a learning experience for me . and these systems are some what the same but have various pieces of equipment to accomplish the same thing. my system has one valve some have two valves . but if you need a new valve find a parts distributor for heavy trucks . they have that valve or can get it for you. and it wont cost a arm and a leg and your first born i payed $43 for a valve airstream wants over $200. same valve.
lots of luck al

Daddy4Bob · 10-26-2002, 01:16 PM

I am curious. I have seen a few references to, 'inflating the bags', in this and other posts. Don't your MHs have an air pump to inflate the suspension? Ours was not working when we first got it but I replaced it and all is well with the suspension. I think the springs need to be replaced though. The ship lists to the starboard side a bit on level ground.

wb13798 · 10-26-2002, 01:26 PM

hi
you have not provided enough information . it sounds like you might have two valves and one needs adjusting. if you read the replys some have one height adjusting valve and others have two valves. you need to get your self a little dirty, crawl under the coach and look at what is there . then ask ??

PeterH-350LE · 10-26-2002, 03:45 PM

Daddy4Bob,
I believe all the discussions about the ride heights and the air valves was under the assumption that the on board air compressor is functioning properly.

Daddy4Bob · 10-27-2002, 07:27 AM

Our coach only has one valve to inflate the suspension. I have assumed that the leaning to the right is a result of 20 years of weight and torque being applied to the springs.

ALANSD · 10-27-2002, 11:25 AM

my compressor has not been working, although other issues with the elctrical situation, now corrected may have been the problem. I inflated the bags throught the valve at the bottom of the accumulation tank. I watched them inflate so as to not to over do it, but of course I am not sure of the pressure. The ride seems ok and the ride height judging from what others have posted is ok as well. About 32" to the mid-fender well at the rear.

74Argosy24MH · 10-27-2002, 04:46 PM

Daddy4Bob

Air bags come in different heights. Could be one is off a different year MH of just the closest someone could find. Does one look like it might have been replaced?

John

NASCAR345 · 03-01-2003, 08:58 AM

Hi Guys,
I just keep finding more and more info here. It's raining so I haven't started on the battery/charging problem this morning. I have a leaking control valve on the right side. I tried to remove the linkage and it broke. I set the valve in a position that didn't leak. I was wondering a bout the truck supply part. Did it come with linkage?

Jonesy

wb13798 · 03-01-2003, 09:28 AM

the valve comes with the metal arm that is attached to the valve. the height adjusting rod does not . if you need a valve you should have a "fleet pride" truck parts supply in your area. i have a one valve system so maybe some one with a twoer can shed some light on the problem. lol
al

Bronze Dancer · 03-01-2003, 11:24 AM

A CAUTION: Don't get under your motorhome and mess with the airbags or controls unless you have the unit on jack stands. It can be tight under there and it is possible to deflate the bags and drop the unit right down on top of you.

This caution has been discussed in other air bag threads but it deserves repeating when new air bag discussions open -- let's all continue to enjoy

NASCAR345 · 03-01-2003, 10:04 PM

Your right safety first!

I have a concrete pad where I do all my work and I raise the unit up with the leveling system (not all the way) and place the stands underneath. It is important to set the stands inforn of and as close to the axles as possible. Then I lower the leveling system on them. Never set them out by the rear bumper. It is an excellent way to bend the frame and wrinkle the skin.

This is a bigger concern on longer units. How do I know? Saw a damaged Winnie once and the owner told me the story.

Thanks again for the reminder,
Jonesy

vbob · 03-02-2003, 11:02 AM

My coach rides high in the back when my bags are inflated. Is this mormal? I have a new valve. Is there some adjustment?. I just thought that the bag inflated to a certain pressure.
I had the problem with air leakage in the pump. I didnt think about a check valve. I just manually inflate using a $25 12 volt electric compressor. I have a female air chuck in the compartment where the pump resides. I made up an air hose that inserts into the female end. I put a regular tire valve at the other end so I can just pump in air if I need to. I found that after disconecting the pump I rarely have to add air.

ALANSD · 03-02-2003, 11:20 AM

how do you tell if you have the right amount of air in the bags? I do the visual check, but would rather know if they actually are at 100lbs or not. I expect to put ina gauge as PeterH has done, and probably continue to add air manually for now.

PeterH-350LE · 03-02-2003, 08:26 PM

System pressure is 100 PSI. The amount of pressure in the bags is determined by your leveling valve(s). The reason for this is the ever changing weight in the rear of the coach. (fuel tank and holding tanks)
Under normal to heavy load my leveling valves shut of supply to the air bags @ appr 95 psi, tank pressure continues to go 100 PSI.
System pressure is determined by the pressure regular, which has a cut-in/cut-out setting of appr. 80/100 psi