Buzzing air system near front axle.

[benherman1]

Hello,
My 5A seems to be making a buzzing sound from near the front axle. Opening the drain on the passenger side tank then closing seems to have an effect on it but it will come back to the same buzz a second or two after closing the drain. I noticed it when I first looked at the bus but forgot about it until now when I was under it diagnosing my air leak in the rear. I let the water out of both of the larger tanks but there is a smaller cast reservoir on the passenger side of the tanks I was unable to get the drain open on. It is currently drenched in penetrating oil to help it out. As far as I could tell the buzzing seemed closest to the top of the drivers side tank. If I grabbed the line there I could feel a mild vibration.

Any ideas on what this is? Is it normal?

Thanks,
Ben 

[buswarrior]

It's just talking to you.

Translation: fix the air leaks and i'll shut up.

Air flow inside making noise. Fix the leaks, then there's no air flow except to fill or when you use the brakes.

Steady talking means steady flow, means leaks somewhere.

Later, when you have run out of critical repairs and you relish breaking more stuff for no good reason... you could change the check valve that is talking.

The noise will change according to what air is flowing, feedback has its value in the early stages to let you know things are getting better, or worse.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[neoneddy]

I have some of that in the rear.  I know I have leaky tag axle air bags.  I'd think some check valves might help keep the other system aired up.

[benherman1]

Well I know I have a leaky bag in the rear since that's why I was under the bus in the first place. While feeling for the leak I pressed my finger in the bag and it promptly dropped to 0psi... At least the air frame is fine. I really want to get a few miles on it before I start throwing thousands at it to convert to rolling lobe bags. As long as It doesn't mind continuing to work while buzzing at me I'll let it buzz for now. Since the bus has been sitting most of the time for the last 20 years as far as I know it might clear up after it gets some air through it and things loosen back up.

Thanks for the help.

[Jim Eh.]

You going to take out the brake pedal and throw it away at the same time?