| Air bag leak [message #237317] |
Fri, 24 January 2014 17:44  |
djester
Messages: 145
Registered: January 2014
Location: Indianapolis
Karma: 0
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Brand new, totally inexperienced motor home owner.
I just bought a '75 GMC motor home and drove it home yesterday. In 200 mile drive air bag inflation came on three or four times. Seems to be down about 3 to 4 inches while driving. How serious is this? Does it indicate I need new air bag?
David A. Jester
Indianapolis, In
1975 Palm Beach
djester@comcast.net
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| Re: Air bag leak [message #237326 is a reply to message #237324] |
Fri, 24 January 2014 18:25  |
djester
Messages: 145
Registered: January 2014
Location: Indianapolis
Karma: 0
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The "lean" is from side to side. In other words, the left side is lower than the right. It has been parked on "hold" for 24 hours and the right is up, but left very low.
BTW, I would like advise on setting ride height.
David A. Jester
Indianapolis, In
1975 Palm Beach
djester@comcast.net
[Updated on: Fri, 24 January 2014 18:26] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Air bag leak [message #237337 is a reply to message #237326] |
Fri, 24 January 2014 19:13 |
Don A
Messages: 895
Registered: October 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Karma: 0
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Use soapy water to find the leak/s at the bag, at all connection and the valve. Pump and tank must be ok if the right stays up. Don't worry about ride height until you have found the leak.
Congrats and welcome
Don Adams Dallas, TX
'76 26' Glenbrook, '90 Sidekick
rebuilt by R Archer, powered by J Bounds, Koba
[IMG]http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6109/G2.jpg[/IMG]
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| Re: Air bag leak [message #237349 is a reply to message #237317] |
Fri, 24 January 2014 19:44 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Could be alot of things. Also weather. I know my tire went flat when it got -19. But has been holding since i reinflated it. Will probably go flat again monday when it gets to -25.
Plan on setting up for shut off valves and inflation shrader valves. The. Deal with the leak later. Will help also to see if it is a bag or something else in the system.
My bags stay up while parked, but i have to air in my tank. So when i fire up the coach, My compressor works a while to build pressure and get my low air light on the dash to go off. On my list of fix it items, But as long as i can go camping i will try to fix that when i have time
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: [GMCnet] Air bag leak [message #237361 is a reply to message #237343] |
Fri, 24 January 2014 21:16 |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
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Brand new Sullybilt kit and shut off valves. Can leave it indefinitely and she don't drop.
Todd Sullivan
Sully
77 royale
Seattle
> On Jan 24, 2014, at 5:27 PM, David Jester <djester@comcast.net> wrote:
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> Great idea about the soapy water. I'm relieved no one seems to think I need a new bag. I'll check it out -- if the temperature ever gets above freezing in Indiana! :p
> --
> David A. Jester
> _______________________________________________
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Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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| Re: Air bag leak [message #237367 is a reply to message #237343] |
Fri, 24 January 2014 21:50 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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David,
The compressor going off and on occasionally while driving is normal. The leveling switches (actually valves) are constantly adjusting the rear ride height as you drive, so occasionally it needs more air.
If the coach at normal ride height when driving, then do not touch the ride height adjustments.
If a bag leaks down when parked, you can go looking for the leaks with soap but they are sometimes difficult to find. All of the original airline fittings were plastic and prone to leaking. I got Parker brass fittings at about $2.00 each and replaced every one of them. It is only a few hour job. I haven't have a leak since then in about 10 years. I park all winter and the bags never go down. In the interim you can slide some 4x4 blocs under the support brackets for the bogies when parked for an extended amount of time until you get around to finding the leaks.
You do not need to do anything other than slide some blocks under it for now as the forecast temp up here is for -17 low and -2 high next Monday and Tuesday.
Did you see the big crash on the news up here in NW Indiana. 20 trucks and 26 cars on I-94 at Michigan City yesterday at 2:30 in the afternoon with 3 killed. All because some people do not slow down when it snows.
We have some good GMCers in the Indianapolis area that you can always call on for help.
Welcone to GMCnet.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Air bag leak [message #237370 is a reply to message #237317] |
Fri, 24 January 2014 22:08 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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| djester wrote on Fri, 24 January 2014 18:44 |
Brand new, totally inexperienced motor home owner.
I just bought a '75 GMC motor home and drove it home yesterday. In 200 mile drive air bag inflation came on three or four times. Seems to be down about 3 to 4 inches while driving. How serious is this? Does it indicate I need new air bag?
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David,
Welcome to the group/family/cult/asylum.....
Everybody was new here once. I do not believe we have any members that were born in the coach, but there are a few original owners.
It is highly doubtful that you need to replace an airbag (airspring), but it is almost a given that you have a leak in the air system (most do). You are describing a case where the compressor runs one or twice an hour while driving. That is pretty close to a non-issue. It would be nice to fix, but it sure can wait for shirt-sleeve weather. For now, just block her up at the bogie so she doesn't squat in the mud (or whatever).
A '76 should still be Power-Level - two round knobs to the right of the driver. If this is the case, undo the four screws and pull that panel and the valves out where you can see them and do the bubble stuff trick there. I have had to repair center joint leaks in the valves on my coach a few times. (I'm actually pretty go at that fix now.)
You may think of yourself as mechanically challenged, but you are obviously literate and I would guess you have an IQ over 80, and that puts you ahead of most of those you might pay to do what the coach will need. Someone gave you the links to the service manuals, read them before you do anything. If(when) you have questions, come back here and ask. Do not be discouraged when you are asked to provide more specific information. This is all part of learning your way around these classic beasts.
Before you get very far, contact the registry and get the ownership recorded. You will find the link at http://www.bdub.net/GMCLinks.html. Just scroll until you see Registry.
Next thing, go into the control panel and write a sigfile that contains your real name (we like to know who you are when we meet - and we probably will), an short description of the coach (year, trim and significant mods) and a geographic reference. The e-mail won't see the "Indianapolis" in the header and anybody that can help and might be in striking range will want that.
Other thing. You will quickly find that owning a GMC makes you a part of a community like few others. I have spent my life as and among waterman and the situation is much like home. We help each other and work out the politics later (if at all). Because of this, I have take welcoming new owners much as a new owner or vessel would be welcomed in my world. So,
May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.
Welcome David
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: Air bag leak [message #237390 is a reply to message #237317] |
Fri, 24 January 2014 23:58 |
djester
Messages: 145
Registered: January 2014
Location: Indianapolis
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Matt, I'm amazed at the number positive responses I've received.
I've been on forums (military vehicle restoration or video) where the typical advise is "Do a search, dummy." I've even received a private e-mail with extensive advise and pictures tonight. I'm looking forward to being a member of this forum and hope someday I can contribute something. Thanks to all.
Dave
David A. Jester
Indianapolis, In
1975 Palm Beach
djester@comcast.net
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| Re: [GMCnet] Air bag leak [message #237394 is a reply to message #237390] |
Sat, 25 January 2014 00:40 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Dave,
I am probably the worst when it comes to directing people to the GMC manuals; however, it seems to work. I've noticed a change in
the questions posed here over time. I may be optimistic but I think people check the manuals more before they send in a question.
Don't get me wrong I don't mind answering questions I think my message count shows that or that I'm just full of s#!t! ;-)
If someone spends a bit of time doing some homework THEN asks the question usually the question is a better one and that they will
comprehend the response better.
To show you how ridiculous some people can be I remember one person sending in a message noting something along the lines of; "I
don't understand how a car air conditioning system works can someone explain it to me?" IIRC someone posted a link to the Wikipedia
entry on car a/c.
Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
-----Original Message-----
From: David Jester
Matt, I'm amazed at the number positive responses I've received.
I've been on forums (military vehicle restoration or video) where the typical advise is "Do a search, dummy." I've even received a
private e-mail with extensive advise and pictures tonight. I'm looking forward to being a member of this forum and hope someday I
can contribute something. Thanks to all.
Dave
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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: Air bag leak [message #237397 is a reply to message #237390] |
Sat, 25 January 2014 00:50 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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| djester wrote on Fri, 24 January 2014 23:58 |
Matt, I'm amazed at the number positive responses I've received.
I've been on forums (military vehicle restoration or video) where the typical advise is "Do a search, dummy." I've even received a private e-mail with extensive advise and pictures tonight. I'm looking forward to being a member of this forum and hope someday I can contribute something. Thanks to all.
Dave
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We try to take it easy on the new guys. Ask away and we will try to help. I know who sent you the pictures. He has years of them cataloged and sends them out as appropriate.
After you get your feet wet on the GMC we will invite you to the spring work rally and other stuff that goes on around here. The same guy who sent you the pictures will probably send out the invites and I know he already has you on his list. He is that efficient.
Ken B.
Hebron, IN
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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