My problem!!!

[John316]

I found out that the leveling system has a problem. Like I posted before, the right side leans over to the side overnight (there is a leak somewhere in the system). As a temporary solution to the problem, I just manually drain the air out of the bags on both sides...then the bus is level. When I start the bus, the left side comes up to ride height. The problem is the right side doesn't come up to ride height. If I raise the rear the left side starts to go up further (a little disconcerting) and then the right starts to get air and raises. Let the air release, both sides go down to proper ride height. I'm not sure what that means. I think that the valve assembly (which I just replaced, but could it be a lemon??) is working properly, because it maintains the right height while driving. It is just the initial raising that it has the problem with. Does anybody have any ideas? Let me know if I wasn't clear on anything.

My other real "ouch" today... I started it and heard a very loud sound from the engine. I will try to describe the sound. It was a little like screwing a drywall screw into an old dried piece of wood. The screw squeaks as it goes in. Now imagine that a LOT louder mixed with a purging sound from the air dryer at the end (it wasn't the dryer I am just trying to describe the sound). The sound would usually happen for a second or to and then quit. It repeated itself multiple times. I think that it had something to do with the air compressor (since I heard some air). The noise was so loud that it vibrated the back of the bus. I'm not sure exactly what it was. The bus was cold (very cold but that S60 started right up) and that could have had something to do with it. The sound stopped after the coach was up to air (then we drove it for an hour and a half and didn't make a peep ). Has anybody had this problem before (or did I come up with a first ) Any ideas???

Thanks in advance,

God bless,

John

[Sojourner]

John...did you pressure check the right side rolling lobe bags via connecting spare nylon line with tee & gage and shop air disconnect coupling. You may have a leaking seat until pressure is high enough to seal or bad bag. Start with 5 psi first and see if it hold for 30 minutes. Then try again with 30 psi. If it leaking, replace bag.

Let us know the results.

About the sound...have a heavy duty class 8 truck diesel engine mechanic listen to diagnose.

Sojourn for Christ, Gerald

[Busted Knuckle]

Sounds like COLD gremlins! The cold could be causing a restriction of the right side leveling system (and if you were patient it would go ahead and level out in a bit longer), and it sounds as though when you started that cold protesting 60 Series it was not quite hitting on all cylinders evenly yet (quite common) which caused part of the noise and shuddering or shaking of the bus you describe. Now for the squealing to me it sounds like a COLD belt slipping (heard it thousands of times!) Does you DL still have an air cylinder for belt tension? If so look for cold gremlins no more! They are not harmful, just scary at first once you get to know them you won't even notice them! FWIW  BK  

But of course as usual I could always be wrong too! So listen to what others say and check out all possibilities!

[Busted Knuckle]

Opps what happened? I don't know why this posted twice! Must be the gremlins! LOL!   BK 

[John316]

Gerald, thanks and good advice.

BK, thanks for the info. The sound that I made an effort to describe wasn't from cold starting. I know what it sounds like when it is just starting while very cold, and the cylinders don't hit evenly. It wasn't that. We don't have a air cylinder for belt tension (maybe it would fix our problem  ). I don't think that it was the sound of a belt slipping either (but then again, I don't have your experience level). It came in sudden second or two piercing screeches, mixed with the sound of air (I know REALLY strange). It happened rather frequently, then it would quit. Again and quite... I don't know. We went ahead and brought it to Central Power (they had some warranty work to do anyways). I know how it works, though, it won't make the noise and I will be troubleshooting it as soon as we leave on a trip .

Also, thanks for the input on the leveling. I will check it out. I will see if I can root out those Gremlins (meaning I will wait for a while longer next time).

Thanks for the thoughts. Any more???

God bless,

John

[Sojourner]

About possible belt screech noise...get a large fresh dry bar of soap and rub it on belt's grip surface well. If you are careful, you can run the engine and hold the bar soap on belts for a few seconds. Now try starting & run to see if it make any difference.

I do this to all my customer's squeaky car & truck belts and works every time to pin point the noise.

Sojourn for Christ, Gerald

[BJ]

we have a bus that sounds like Gabriel blowing his horn sometimes when filling the front air tank. If there is even a burr in a valve or line you will get trumpet sounds from your air system..

[niles500]

John - Do you have an AD-9 Air dryer?

[John316]

Niles, we do have an AD-9...but that is way up front...

BJ, that could be, but we have never heard it before (and we have started it in much colder temps).

Sojourner, I will try the soap. Thanks.

Sounds like I have a "new" problem . I just hope that it repeats itself when I am troubleshooting it.

Thanks for the ideas and info...Any more ?

God bless,

John

[Tenor]

Having just gone through cold weather gremlins and air systems, it could be that you have ice in some lines.  When that happens, pressure builds in the wrong places and the pressure relief valve on your wet tank will automatically open and close and it makes a sound like a screech with air rushing out.  If it seems to happen every 30 seconds or less, I think that would be the problem. 

good luck!
Glenn

[John316]

Thanks Glen...Good point. It really might be. It does happen every thirty seconds (or less).


God bless,

John

[Dreamscape]

John,

Maybe you have a bearing somewhere going south. A bad bearing can sound like you describe.

HTH, and Good Luck My Friend,

Paul

[niles500]

John, with regards to the AD - the AD-9 has some odd discharge noises - mine has screeched before also, but Bendix says that's because of its design - FWIW