bus wont build air pressure

[goutoe]

Thanks Dave, I bought some airline antifreeze that also has some lubricant in it, now I just have to figure out where I can pour it in to the system, I wanted to work on it after work yesterday but the weather wont cooperate! snowing now! but the weekend looks good I will tackle it then. Thanks for the help.

[Tedsoldbus]

Hey John,
Keep in mind 12 smart guys are helping you solve this. The 300 other views are people like me that don't have a clue, but we are watching with great interest because it can happen to any of us. Please don't forget to tell us what worked. Guys like me that have been a bus owner for a mere 2 years take notes....
Hope you get it figured out.
Ted

[luvrbus]

Pull the air intake from the compressor and be sure the compressor is turning after the 15 lb they can strip a drive key and still pump 15lbs of air and a plugged air intake will stop a compressor from building air too

[dtcerrato]

Ditto what Cliff said - that happened with our compressor - stripped drive and wouldn't pump above low psi.

[goutoe]

Thanks Clifford, the intake would be the hose coming from the air filter housing, correct? I did connect to shop air yesterday, no leaks any where, I still can hear a very faint leak at the air governor coming from a small hole in the casting.

[goutoe]

Will I be able to see if the compressor is turning though the intake? how do I inspect the drive key?

[luvrbus]

You can see if the unloader valves are working through the intake to inspect the drive the compressor needs to be removed

[goutoe]

Thanks Clifford! Im going to power wash the compressor before I take the intake cover off, a bit cold for that today hopefully I will find a sticky valve but if I do need to pull the compressor it is very accessible.

[RJ]

. . .but if I do need to pull the compressor it is very accessible.

You have now discovered one of the advantages of having a V-drive powertrain! The alternator and air compressor are literally right there in front of you.

Not like the T-drive folk who have to become contortionists in order to access those items.

My guess is also the compressor drive may be stripped.

FWIW & HTH. . . 

RJ

[chessie4905]

Yeah, but Cliff thinks T drive are the best.😉

[Busted Knuckle]

Yeah, but Cliff thinks T drive are the best.😉

You mean they are NOT?
  BK 

[Glennman]

Back in my previous bus days ('90s) I had a '68 GMC Fishbowl. We were parked in a Walmart lot in another state and had the same problem. It would only reach about 10-15 lbs. Turns out there was a truck supply outfit right across the street. I was able to get a new governor for about $15 and install it with an adjustable wrench in the Walmart parking lot. It's a pretty good chance that could be your problem.

[goutoe]

Glennman I have been suspicious of the governor all along I can feel a small amount of air leaking from a small hole in the casing of the air governor I will check the intake as Clifford says, but I will try a new governor before I pull the compressor, My problem now is time to work on it !! hopefully this weekend I will get it figured out, Im also in the middle of installing a washer and dryer in the bus! and my wife is redoing all of the upholstery! I would love to post some pics of the progress but havent been able to figure that out yet!!Thanks to all of you for your help and concern! you guys are awesome, bear with me with your help I will get this Fixed!

[chessie4905]

Be careful with new governor. There are 4 holes, I think, and a set of Allen threaded plugs. Be sure to get them installed in same ports as old one.

[goutoe]

well back to work on the bus today, checked the intake hose it was clear, took the intake housing off ran the engine no movement on the valves still only 15 psi so next is to pull the compressor, never done that before, I suppose it is on a spline? what do I look for next?? is there a key way?