Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-10-2016, 08:41 PM   #1
2 Rivet Member
 
Paul and Tam's Avatar
 
1988 34.5' Airstream 345
Ham Lake , Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 60
1988 345 classic MH Air Compressor

Last week my air gauge was stuck at 50psi after the engine had been running for more than 5 minutes. I was concerned that I may need to replace my compressor.

I thought about things for a couple of days, then decided to take a look at the compressor to see if it had an air filter.


There is something that looks like a tiny little filter. I unscrewed the filter.


To see if it was plugged I blew through it, backwards. It seemed to allow air to pass. Then I put it back on and turned on the ignition. Within a minute I had added 10psi to the gauge.

I got to thinking and decided that the quick fix was probably not going to last. I could not find parts for the Gast compressor with my Google searches, so I tried taking the old filter apart. The cap came off without damage using a flat blade screwdriver. The filter is just felt washers with an oily feel, and they were quite dirty with black spots where the four holes in the cover were. I washed the felt washers and blotted them dry two days ago and let them dry until tonight.


I decided to put a very light spray of K&N filter oil on one of the washers, then squeezed them together to transfer the oil between them. The oiled sides were facing each other when I reassembled.

Oddly there seems to be more back pressure when I blow through the filter now. I put the filter back on the compressor and gave it a try. It took a while with a lot of jumping of the needle, but the pressure did start to increase and after a few minutes run time the back bumper is now 1" higher than when I started. Maybe I should have left well enough alone, or not added the filter oil.

I'm camping this weekend so we'll see if the rear suspension is able to stay aired up on the road.
Paul and Tam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2016, 05:53 AM   #2
Rivet Master
 
mayco's Avatar
 
1982 31' Airstream 310
champaign , Illinois
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,071
That filter looks real similar to my Viair filter. You may want to see if they are interchangeable.

Mike
mayco is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2016, 06:06 AM   #3
Rivet Master
 
mayco's Avatar
 
1982 31' Airstream 310
champaign , Illinois
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,071
Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByAirstream Forums1470917180.439034.jpg
Views:	87
Size:	164.4 KB
ID:	268801


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums
mayco is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2016, 06:08 AM   #4
Rivet Master
 
bkahler's Avatar

 
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond , Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
Those filters are generic filters that you can buy from various tool outlets or equipment dealers. I think the last ones I bought were from the Surplus Center in Lincoln Nebraska.

Here's one from Amazon, Threaded Intake Filter.

Brad
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
bkahler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2016, 09:22 AM   #5
3 Rivet Member
 
1978 28' Argosy 28
Austin , Texas
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 207
Paul and Tam, good info. I had the same problem last week, nothing past about 50psi and my rear bags just wouldn't quite get up.. compressor was running and running with no apparent leaks. I just purchased an new Viair unit and will be installing this week. Yep, it has a filter as my old on did not. Keep us posted.
Go Ham Lake! I'm a Duluthian.

Ben
bpg_austin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2016, 03:56 PM   #6
2 Rivet Member
 
Paul and Tam's Avatar
 
1988 34.5' Airstream 345
Ham Lake , Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 60
Thanks for the suggested replacement filter. We made it to el Rancho Manana just fine. The gauge started the day at about 60psi, just where it was last night, then quickly reached the normal 105-110 psi and stayed there the entire trip.

Duluth? We are thinking about going to Silver Creek next weekend.
Paul and Tam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2016, 06:01 AM   #7
Rivet Master
 
bkahler's Avatar

 
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond , Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
I should have added, the filter I provided a link to may or may not be the right thread size. Check the thread size on your original filter before ordering a replacement.
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
bkahler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2016, 11:00 AM   #8
2 Rivet Member
 
Paul and Tam's Avatar
 
1988 34.5' Airstream 345
Ham Lake , Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 60
I think the threads on my Gast compressor inlet are 1/4" PT. I will update this thread when the part arrives and I confirm it fits.
Paul and Tam is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Need help finding the air compressor pump location on my 1985 A/345 tlholley General Motorhome Topics 21 02-21-2015 09:39 AM
1988 345 Classic Dash Air Con nellie1960 Classic Motorhomes 23 08-10-2014 06:12 PM
Air bag compressor on '88 345 Mr. D General Motorhome Topics 3 10-15-2009 12:23 PM
NOS Classic motorhome air compressor - eBay bkahler Classic Motorhomes 0 03-22-2008 12:25 PM
air bag air compressor dbyar Mechanics Corner - Engines, Transmission & More... 12 05-08-2004 12:58 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:40 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.