This is some sort of pipe that comes from the rear towards the front and stops at a rusted mess. It's right above the right rear air beam between the center isle and the fiberglass fender. It doesn't look like it really went much further than where it is right now. Maybe something to do with venting from the lav?? There isn't one on the other side. I don't know what it is, can anyone else i.d. it and tell me what I should do with it if anything?
Much thanks,
-Dave
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That's a your in too deep.
when the urine got too deep in the bathroom it overflowed into that pipe and drained to the front causing all of your rust issues ;D
Dave,
Simply wow on the fotos. Pro work.
Haven't a clue on your problem. Sorry!
John
dont know anything about MCIs but on my Eagle there is a steel tube that is a cooling coil for the air compressor. on mine it had a short hose with AN fittings to the tube. the tube snaked back and forth and had another hose to the air dryer. I say had because mine looked like your tube and was disconnected long ago. probably doesnt help but again thats what I found on mine.
steve
Steve,
There is a post that quotes an installation requirement that the air dryer be mounted no further than six feet from the compressor. Poster said the line would cool and moisture would condense and form sludge. Tour post seems to infer that the original design used long runs to "cool" the air before delivering it to the dryer. MCI has the compressor mounted in the back on the engine, of course, and the dryer is under the driver so the MCI wieners disregarded that six foot rule. Myself, I don't know but I would really like to get the inside hot skinny/scoop.
Thanks,
John
John,
on the Eagle the dryer is mounted just aft of the rear axle forward of the radiator. I never measured but the line on it now is probably six feet or so. when it used the cooling coil it was maybe ten feet. I have looked at several Eagles and all of them had the coil out of the system. most were rotted pretty bad. if water and sludge condensed in that line I can see how it would rot quickly. If the dryer is up front on the MCI I could see them running a steel line up front, lots cheaper than braided hose. will be interested to know what it is. I have my Eagle mostly apart and it is interesting some of the things the manufacturer did and still not sure why on some.
steve
On Our 81 Eagle it is called a air cooler. it is just where you say it is. we had to replace ours due to some Moron twisting the end which caused an air leak. we replaced it and no more problem. it happens when changing air lines or air compressor and not holding the wrenches tight enough, Because the fitting on the coil is soldered on.see picture of old one
Pete & Jean
Fantasy
It may have been an electrical conduit for something that isn't there any more. MCI runs thinwalled tubing similar to your pix for wiring that passes thru bulkheads. If it's thinwalled, it wasn't an air supply pipe.
Where does it terminate at the other end?
Do your side clearance lights work? May have been placed there for some accessory that was not installed on your coach.
Most MC9 dryers are mounted just ahead of the steering axle on the RH side.
That 6' rule is obviously not necessary. As long as the dryer's working correctly, there are no problems with locating the dryer 25' from the compressor.
Niles or Buswarrior will explain the positioning rule in great detail as soon as he reads the question. I've seen the rationale, but my CRS is acute tonight! ;)
JR
All my lights work but they were also rewired when the bus was re-skinned. This part hasn't been uncovered in many years.
I haven't been able to find where it ends on the other side. It's still pretty messy and I'm still trying to get to where I can see in there. So far all I can see is that it runs into a frame member or further?
Tomorrow when I have more light I'll try to probe around, so far it just ends there at that forward point and I need to backtrack to where it comes from.
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Hello.
The length of run between air compressor and air dryer has recommended minimums so that the hot incoming air has a chance to cool sufficiently so that the desicant in the air dryer is not cooked.
MCI enjoy long desicant life, due to the relatively cool temps of the incoming air, versus some installs where the air dryer is close to the compressor.
I am unaware of any maximum recommendations for the length of run.
I liked Charley's idea about that pipe!
happy coaching!
buswarrior
Hello; I think that the pipe was an electrical or cable chase for the tachograph that was mounted in the rear bay next to the regulator box.. That was optional equipment.. the tachograph was mechanical and electrical.. used circular paper to record speed , time etc.... The pipe runs next to the fiberglass wheel well from the back bay wall to the engine compartment.. That was in my mci 7 1972 version not a hound originally from S&O bus lines upstate NY.. This may be the case in your bus??? happy bussin Mike
Bingo! I think we have a winner. I'll go with this one, at least until I can probe in the bulkhead.
Good eye Mike, I agree too. 8)
Ya'll got me convinced too!
I remember tach-o-graphs from the '60s. My dad sold the units. Drivers hated those things.
Allowed companies to analyze driver habits...speed, shift points, time spent on breaks! They were crude by today's data collection standards. They were an intrusion on what had been a mostly supervisor free job. They were a lot of trouble to maintain. The little discs had to be changed too often. ;)
JR
Ok, I went out again and cleaned up some more. At the end of the tube about 6" or so away is the wall of the rear bay and there is a box mounted up in there. There is a cable with 3 wires that passes through the wall and then heads toward the tube. I didn't see the wires because they were tucked back along the frame and held in place by gunk or sealer of some sort.
If I pull the wire out straight it just about reaches the tube.
Mystery solved, now we can climb back in the Mystery Machine and chase Daphne around in the back. I wonder if she'll run off with me in my bus?? I could call it Dave's New Mystery Machine #2, I always thought she was pretty hot even when I was 10.
Oops, I said that out loud didn't I? ;D
Excellent sleuthing!
I still have the combo tachograph/speedometer in my 1975 MC8 mounted on the left corner of the dash, as stock install from MCI.
Now, if someone had a box of those nasty tattle-tale cards....
happy coaching!
buswarrior
Give these folks a call they just might have the round charts.
http://www.atrol.com/tachograph.htm
jlv
Buswarrior,
Thanks for the post about the dryer and line length. Very cool ;D
When I heard that "rule" about the lines "must be no longer than six feet" I wondered why the mfr wanted "hot" air for the dryer input. I have never seen a bus dryer up close but if it is full of desicant, they want it cool . I had dryers on the waveguide air compressors for my radar systems in the Air Force. Those dryers "warmed the air" to dry it and purge the moisture. Hot desicant doesn't hold much water...even on purpose. ;)
Thanks again Warrior,
John
Quote from: NJT5047 on October 26, 2007, 06:43:22 PM
Ya'll got me convinced too!
I remember tach-o-graphs from the '60s. My dad sold the units. Drivers hated those things.
Allowed companies to analyze driver habits...speed, shift points, time spent on breaks! They were crude by today's data collection standards. They were an intrusion on what had been a mostly supervisor free job. They were a lot of trouble to maintain. The little discs had to be changed too often. ;)
JR
I knew a few drivers that would hook a bungee cord from the outside mirror to the tach-o-graph when they took a coffee break. Loosen the mount a bit and the mirror vibrating like crazy with the truck idling would make an interesting graph.
Although already answered - here is the skinny - HTH
http://www.bendixvrc.com/itemDisplay.asp?documentID=4631]
http://www.bendix.com/en-us/service/library/Pages/SDSheets.aspx
TechnicalBulletinBulletin No.: PRO-08-21Effective Date: 11/1/92Page: 1 of 2Subject: Air Brake System – Cold Weather Operation TipsAs the cold weather approaches, operators and fleets alike begin to look to their vehicles with an eyetoward "winterization", and particularly what can be done to guard against air system freeze-up. Hereare some basic "Tips" for operation in the cold weather.Engine IdlingAvoid idling the engine for long periods of time! In addition to the fact that most enginemanufacturers warn that long idle times are detrimental to engine life, winter idling is a big factor incompressor discharge line freeze-up. Discharge line freeze-ups account for a significant number ofcompressor failures each year. The discharge line recommendations under "Discharge Lines" areimportant for all vehicles but are especially so when some periods of extended engine idling can notbe avoided.Discharge LinesThe discharge line should slope downward from the compressor discharge port without forming watertraps, kinks, or restrictions. Cross-overs from one side of the frame rail to the other, if required,should occur as close as possible to the compressor. Fitting extensions must be avoided.Recommended discharge line lengths and inside diameters are dependent on the vehicle applicationand are as follows.Typical P&D, School Bus and Line HaulThe maximum discharge line length is 16 feet.Length I.D. Min.Other Requirements6.0-9.5 ft.½ in.None9.5-12 ft.½ in.Last 3 feet, including fitting at the end of thedischarge line, must be insulated with ½ inch thick closedcell polyethylene pipe insulation.12-16 ft.5/8 in.Last 3 feet, including fitting at the end of thedischarge line, must be insulated with ½ inch thickclosed cell polyethylene pipe insulation.If the discharge line length must be less than 6 feet or greater than 16 feet, contact your local Bendixrepresentative.High Duty Cycle Vehicles (City Transit Coaches, Refuse Haulers, Etc.)The maximum discharge line length is 16 feet.Length I.D. min.Other Requirements10-16 ft.½ in.None
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Page 2
If the discharge line length must be less than 10 feet or greater than 16 feet, contact your localBendix representative.System LeakageCheck the air brake system for excessive air leakage using the Bendix "Dual System Air Brake Testand Check List" (BW-1279). Excessive system leakage causes the compressor to "pump" more airand also more moisture into the brake system.Reservoir Draining (System Without Air Dryer)Routine reservoir draining is the most basic step (although not completely effective) in reducing thepossibility of freeze-up. All reservoirs in a brake system can accumulate water and othercontamination and must be drained! The best practice is to drain all reservoirs daily. When drainingreservoirs; turn the ENGINE OFF and drain ALL AIR from the reservoir, better still, open the draincocks on all reservoirs and leave them open over night to assure all contamination is drained(reference Service Data Sheet SD-04-1 for Bendix Reservoirs). If automatic drain valves areinstalled, check their operation before the weather turns cold (reference Service Data Sheet SD-03-63 for Bendix DV-2 Automatic Drain Valves). It should be noted that, while the need for daily reservoirdraining is eliminated through the use of an automatic drain valve, periodic manual draining is stillrequired.Alcohol Evaporator or Injector SystemsCheck for proper operation of these systems by monitoring alcohol consumption for a few days(Reference Service Data Sheet SD-08-1 for the Bendix Alcohol Evaporator). Too little means thesystem is not receiving adequate protection and too much simply wastes alcohol. As a general guide,these systems should consume approximately 1 to 2 ounces of alcohol per hour of compressorloaded time (compressing air). City pick-up and delivery vehicles will operate with the compressorsloaded (compressing air) more while compressors on highway vehicles will be loaded less. Thesefigures are approximate and assume that air system leakage is within the limits of the Bendix "DualSystem Air Brake Test and Check List" (BW-1279). Last but not least, begin using alcohol severalweeks prior to freezing weather to ensure that the system is completely protected. Use only methanolalcohol, such as Bendix "Air Guard", in evaporators or injectors.Air DryersMake certain air brake system leakage is within the limits stated in BW-1279. Check the operationand function of the air dryer using the appropriate Service Data Sheet for the air dryer.AD-9Service Data Sheet SD-08-2412AD-4Service Data Sheet SD-08-4AD-2Service Data Sheet SD-08-2