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Old 05-14-2010, 08:43 AM   #1
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Leak in Air Brake - How to test?

Hey there - me again! We need to see where a leak is in our air brake system. When we turn it on - it is taking a LLLOOONNNGGGG time for the air pressure to build up enough to drive. Plus, when we stop for short periods of time, sometimes we need to wait for pressure to again fill up. So, how would one check the pressure or go about figuring out how to do this? It doesn't seem to be an emergency but might get worse if we keep driving on these crappy Michigan roads! They make Mexican roads seem normal. Holy Moly!

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Old 05-14-2010, 04:26 PM   #2
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Re: Leak in Air Brake - How to test?

Park somewhere quiet, run it till the air tanks are full, shut it off, go under and listen for hissing. A lot of times it's just a matter of tightening fittings somewhere. If you can't hear anything, get a spray bottle, fill it with water and dish soap, and spray every air line and tank fitting you can find. Anything that's leaking will start bubbling up.
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Old 05-14-2010, 04:57 PM   #3
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Re: Leak in Air Brake - How to test?

sounds like a fitting to me. A broken line will definetly be heard even over a running bus. Have you had work done to anywhere recently? I would start there if so.
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Old 05-14-2010, 05:03 PM   #4
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Re: Leak in Air Brake - How to test?

Funny this should come up today. I was moving the Bluebird today. When I parked, I could here a hissing from the driver area. I got on my hands and knees and found it coming from the brake pedal. Has anyone changed the brake pedal on a BBAA before? If so, how much?
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Old 05-14-2010, 05:12 PM   #5
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Re: Leak in Air Brake - How to test?

Kick on your cruise while parked and the engine will rev up and fill your air faster. If you don't have cruise just rev the engine up to about 16000 RPMs or what ever your operating RPM range is. There might not be anything wrong with your air tanks they just bleed out all the air when parked overnight. Semi's routinely have to idle at a high RPM to fill the tanks before operation.

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Old 05-14-2010, 05:31 PM   #6
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Re: Leak in Air Brake - How to test?

Quote:
Originally Posted by cdemaris
Kick on your cruise while parked and the engine will rev up and fill your air faster. If you don't have cruise just rev the engine up to about 16000 RPMs or what ever your operating RPM range is. There might not be anything wrong with your air tanks they just bleed out all the air when parked overnight. Semi's routinely have to idle at a high RPM to fill the tanks before operation.

Craig

16000 rpms. That's screamin'.
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Old 05-15-2010, 12:11 AM   #7
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Re: Leak in Air Brake - How to test?

16 grand - yup it's the ultimate test - and only works once - see if your tanks fill before you blow the engine
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Old 05-15-2010, 10:23 AM   #8
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Re: Leak in Air Brake - How to test?

Hahaha- trying to imagine the sound of an engine trying to approach 16K rpms ! (R.I.P.m's). Cdemaris- you can call us wiseguys now...
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Old 05-15-2010, 11:22 AM   #9
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Re: Leak in Air Brake - How to test?

Also, try building up the air, shut off the engine, have another person walk to each wheel as you press and hold the brake pedal. If you hear hissing ONLY when pressing the pedal most likely it is a leaking brake chamber or valve. Does your air pressure on the gauge start to drop when you brake?
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