My MC8 has been sitting in RV park in Avon Park FL. for a month with no suspension leak, This morning it dropped all the front air in 2 hours (have not moved a thing). Aired it up, and lost it all in 2 hours. I have no way of getting under it to find the leak. Any good bus shops around, and phone number please.
Before I spent to much money I would run the bus a little. Sounds like a sticking valve or something from lack of use that might correct itself in short order. little excerise might loosen the old girl up and work properly again. Worth a try. Can you hear any air leaks.? all there is : one leveling valve and two air bags with hoses connecting them. Bob
Sorry I should have explained the setup. All the auto leveling system has been removed. I have air solenoids that I control from inside with rocker switches.
I have traced the line back to were it goes to the frame. I can hear a small leak when I get my head as close to the wheel as possible. But I cannot tell if it is a line or airbag (too far away)
All you can do is get in there and find the leak, unfortunately. I can't think of any other way to do it. You can wiggle in pretty far if you crank the steering all the way over, it creates a bit of a gap, but with the bus on the stops ground clearance will be minimal. If you have the ability to pull a wheel and the thought of doing it yourself, I would pull the passenger side wheel (or the wheel you hear the leak at) and see what you can see. With a modified system it's hard to tell for sure, but MC8's normally have an interconnected front suspension (interconnected through the leveling valve I think) with a big air beams on either side, with two springs per side. The air beams are notorious for leaking, the springs can get old and leak, but hopefully the issue is a bad connection or line that will be easy to fix.
Brian
The way I was able to trace the air leaks in my 8 I used a small piece of tubing to my ear and listened
Rick 74 MC-8
Thanks for the suggestions, but I think I need a repair shop, if there is one in the area, or the closest
Avon park is not that far from John's shop (central Florida bus) in Lakeland Fl!
Give him a call 863-559-8862
Tell him I sent you! :)
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Thanks Ace:
I made some step blocks and got it up so I could see underside. I have a airbag leaking. Looks like the inside of my right front wheel has rubbed on it when turning hard right. I cut the airline to that bag and plugged it. We are now ridding on the remaining 3 bags
I called John, and made an appointment for Monday morning, so we will try and limp up the 45 miles. I am assuming the address is on 2101 E Main? I forgot to ask John and didn't want to bother him again. But I found Central Florida Bus Repairs on the net.
Again thanks for the info
Yes that's him and the correct address! If I wasn't working mobday I'd come by and visit but....
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Since it will stay up two hours you would be better off keeping it connected than running with it down which will twist the bus body and bang the suspension against the rubber bumper.
With the compressor running it will easily stay up.