What is this? (Photo Included)

Scott & Heather · August 16, 2011, 02:19:33 PM

Another question from a newbie straight to you knowledgeable friends. I turned the valve on this with a pair of pliers, and of course it spit water (somewhat oily) and air out of the drop tube. Is this the wet tank drain everyone talks about? Is this all I have to do periodically to drain the wet tank?

Lin · August 16, 2011, 03:04:12 PM

Is the vertical pipe open at the end like as a drain? Where does the hose go?

Busted Knuckle · August 16, 2011, 03:25:25 PM

It's the "ping" tank drain! All MCI's have them not far from the compressor and then the copper line you see here comes out of the bottom.

BK

Oh and yes drain it often.

Scott & Heather · August 16, 2011, 03:37:43 PM

Great! Yes, the vertical pipe goes through the floor of the engine side bay and out to the ground. So this is not the "wet tank" drain?

Busted Knuckle · August 16, 2011, 03:41:25 PM

Nope that is the "Ping" tank drain and it still should be drained often.

BK

Scott & Heather · August 16, 2011, 04:11:44 PM

Ok. So I'll have to squeeze under the coach (blocked up of course) at some point to replace the normal drains with cable operated ones?

oldmansax · August 16, 2011, 05:04:34 PM

Quote from: Scott Bennett on August 16, 2011, 04:11:44 PM
Ok. So I'll have to squeeze under the coach (blocked up of course) at some point to replace the normal drains with cable operated ones?

Yep! I got mine at NAPA. I'm thin enough I didn't have to squeeze much though.

TOM

buswarrior · August 16, 2011, 07:52:31 PM

"ping tank" is slang for what MCI calls the "discharge muffler"

First place that moisture collects after the air compressor, and the first place that freezes solid on busnuts who don't drain it come winter, preventing the coach from airing up.

Yes, adding cable drains to the rest of your tanks will complete the job.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Scott & Heather · August 17, 2011, 04:43:24 AM

Tom: Well if you can do it, I can do it.

Just jogged 8 miles with my wife yesterday...have nearly 30 miles in over the last 5 days. My pants won't stay up. So I guess now is as good a time as any to get under there

Buswarrior:Thanks! I've scoured the web and the forum on this and gathered much info...but you clarified and connected it for me

Thanks again!

oldmansax · August 17, 2011, 05:18:48 AM

Quote from: Scott Bennett on August 17, 2011, 04:43:24 AM
Tom: Well if you can do it, I can do it. Just jogged 8 miles with my wife yesterday...have nearly 30 miles in over the last 5 days. My pants won't stay up. So I guess now is as good a time as any to get under there

I'd be squashed
Hey.... Us thin guys got to stick together...... That way we can cast a shadow!

All joking aside, you still should block up the bus though. I can slink under my MC7 when it is aired down but if a tire blew while I was under there I'd be squashed like a bug.

Safety First!

TOM

oldmansax · August 17, 2011, 05:19:42 AM

double post

Scott & Heather · August 17, 2011, 06:48:15 AM

Trust you me...I'll block it up. I had it resting on cinderblocks (strong edge..top of block) just for leveling...I'd never climb under there with those. They crushed randomly in the middle of the night and jolted the coach to its bump-stops so fast and hard I thought a tree fell on us

gus · August 17, 2011, 12:19:42 PM

Scotty, one point - drain the muffler when the compressor is charging, otherwise there will be little or no pressure to clean it out.

Scott & Heather · August 17, 2011, 03:03:14 PM

Yep. Did it when it was at 120 PSI on my gauge. Not a ton came out, but probably a pint of oily water.

John316 · August 17, 2011, 03:11:34 PM

Quote from: Scotty on August 17, 2011, 03:03:14 PM
Yep. Did it when it was at 120 PSI on my gauge. Not a ton came out, but probably a pint of oily water.

Scotty, close but not quite what Gus was saying. You should have the bus running, and the air gauge moving up (eg from 90 climbing up towards your cutout). Then go back and open that valve. That line will only have pressure in it (for the most part) when the compressor is running. If the gauge is sitting at 120, then the compressor probably isn't running. You might get some extra out, if you do it while the compressor is running.

Not a huge deal, but I thought I would clarify.

FWIW

John