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Cracked 3 way air valve [message #173169]

Wed, 13 June 2012 08:17

1275gtsport

Messages: 272
Registered: September 2009
Location: Rothesay NB

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Over the winter (yes I know it is June now) I rebuilt the Closet module. (looks nice btw) and had the air lines and control valves all moved over and tucked into the galley. did not unhook anything.

finally got things back together and we are heading out in 10 days for this years family vacation. rear won't hold air. I did find that the water separator had cracked so replaced that with one I had on hand.
Rear drops to zero in less then 2 hours.

started at each bag with soapy water and worked back to pump. Just happened to hit top of the valve with a bit of water and PRESTO!
Now can see the hair line crack on the top. can I glue that? would a simple 2 part epoxy hold? like JB weld?

or is this a part that can be bought at a local truck shop. Some of the valves on the rig are blue this one is brass colored.

I don't have time for shipping anything it takes more then 10 days to get stuff into Canada.

Adam Raeburn
Rothesay, NB
1976 Austin Mini
1977 GMC Palm Beach
---------------------------------------------------
Once you replace everything that is attached to something else. It will all be fixed.

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Re: Cracked 3 way air valve [message #173170 is a reply to message #173169]

Wed, 13 June 2012 08:55

Matt Colie

Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan

Karma: 7

Senior Member

1275gtsport wrote on Wed, 13 June 2012 09:17

Adam,

By 3-way air valve, do you mean the ride height control valve?
If so, NO, they aren't available anywhere as a bolt-in. There are parts available from truck service, but JimK or Dave Lenzi can supply the drop-in (Dave's are his typical rework and more expensive iirc).

Can you glue it?
Maybe worth a try.
If it is cracked through a threaded section, the odds are not good.

Matt

Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit

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Re: Cracked 3 way air valve [message #173171 is a reply to message #173169]

Wed, 13 June 2012 09:03

Dennis S

Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005

Karma: 2

Senior Member

Adam,

You can always install a Schrader valve directly into each air bag and manually inflate them. Good in an emergency -- but many coaches do this as the norm, since their air system is faulty.

Dennis

1275gtsport wrote on Wed, 13 June 2012 08:17

Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro

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Re: Cracked 3 way air valve [message #173178 is a reply to message #173169]

Wed, 13 June 2012 09:51

1275gtsport

Messages: 272
Registered: September 2009
Location: Rothesay NB

Karma: 0

Senior Member

It is not cracked on the threads. it is on a flat section on the "top" I took a photo Smile

I have a Schrader installed on the passenger side with shut off and the matching one for the drivers side is in the drawer in the galley, guess it is time to install that eh?

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/uploads/6250/06132012141.jpg

Going to try the epoxy and see if that holds. then order the part to be here when I get back. I like that the system works and would like to keep it that way.

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Re: [GMCnet] Cracked 3 way air valve [message #173183 is a reply to message #173178]

Wed, 13 June 2012 10:19

USAussie

Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia

Karma: 6

Senior Member

Adam,

I would modify your epoxy idea as follows:

1) Clean the top with acetone
2) Clean a nickel (or whatever coil comes closest to the OD of the top) with
acetone
3) Mix up a small amount of two part epoxy glue
4) Epoxy the nickel to the top

If it doesn't work it only cost you five cents and a small amount of epoxy.

Come to think of it if you're as cheap as I am you could pry the nickel off
the top if it doesn't work! ;-)

Regards,
Rob M.

-----Original Message-----
From: 1275gtsport@gmail.com

It is not cracked on the threads. it is on a flat section on the "top" I
took a photo :)

I have a Schrader installed on the passenger side with shut off and the
matching one for the drivers side is in the drawer in the galley, guess it
is time to install that eh?

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/uploads/6250/06132012141.jpg

Going to try the epoxy and see if that holds. then order the part to be here
when I get back. I like that the system works and would like to keep it that
way.
--
Adam

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

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Re: [GMCnet] Cracked 3 way air valve [message #173195 is a reply to message #173178]

Wed, 13 June 2012 12:00

emerystora

Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004

Karma: 13

Senior Member

I had a similar problem years ago and disassembled the valve and used a small torch and brazed the crack. I has lasted perhaps 15 years now.

Emery Stora

On Jun 13, 2012, at 8:51 AM, 1275gtsport@gmail.com wrote:

>
>
> It is not cracked on the threads. it is on a flat section on the "top" I took a photo :)
>
> I have a Schrader installed on the passenger side with shut off and the matching one for the drivers side is in the drawer in the galley, guess it is time to install that eh?
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/uploads/6250/06132012141.jpg
>
>
> Going to try the epoxy and see if that holds. then order the part to be here when I get back. I like that the system works and would like to keep it that way.
>
>
>
> --
> Adam Raeburn
> Rothesay, NB
> 1976 Austin Mini
> 1977 GMC Palm Beach motorhome
> ---------------------------------------------------
> Once you replace everything that is attached to something else. It will all be fixed.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

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Re: Cracked 3 way air valve [message #173222 is a reply to message #173169]

Wed, 13 June 2012 18:15

1275gtsport

Messages: 272
Registered: September 2009
Location: Rothesay NB

Karma: 0

Senior Member

I like the idea of the nickel but the "top" is a little bigger the a toonie and I am way to cheap to glue one of those down (did I mention My grandfather came from Scotland?)

I used JB weld which is epoxy with metal in it? It was as hard as the top of the valve in 15 min and the tube says fully cured in 16 hours. I did find out the even when the gauge shows no pressure there is still some pressure in the system. I pulled the pressure relief thing that is above the gauge and there was a loud bang and we are sitting on the ground! really on the ground! had to check to see if the tires were touching the wheel wells. if it wasn't for the indents on my wheel wells. Smile

tomorrow will tell if it will hold air. I think I will install the shut off etc on the drivers air bag seeing as I know there is no air there. and then worst case I use the onboard pump to inflate the bags then go shut them off to hold her up!

Oh and Emery I know that with some of the luck I have if I try to braze the crack with only a few days to go something will happen and the valve would become inop. now if I had a replacement in hand it would be perfect. Smile

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Re: Cracked 3 way air valve [message #173239 is a reply to message #173222]

Wed, 13 June 2012 20:25

Ken Burton

Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana

Karma: 10

Senior Member

I was going to suggest that you use a plug knockout from a conduit box. That is way cheaper than 2 bux. You could also sand it flat before you installed it.

Honestly, if prepared correctly, the JB Weld ought to do it by itself

Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

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