MCI 102c3 6v92ta Mechanical Won't Air Up

[buswarrior]

What's cold?

Daytime highs, nighttime lows?

How did you make the other leaks stop?

An empty accessory may be a preesure protection valve, but more likely just means more big leaks, and it doesn't get high enough to make much noise.

Until you have replaced everything pneumatic that is beyond its service life, this is what happens, you leave it, and there's more trouble. There is nothing static about an old bus.

And, in relative terms, they leak worse in the "cold" due to shrinkage.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[Jcparmley]

Last few weeks the temp has been in the teens with a few nights around zero.  Today was nice and warm at 36 degrees.  Tomorrow is going to be raining and 39 degrees.  I am just trying to get this bus moved and onto the pavement closer to my shop.  I am trying to get it going because I have a person who wants to purchase it.  My plan has been to get it moved closer to the shop on pavement so I can block it better and get under it and take a good look at things.  I need to drive it .25 miles to the diesel mechanic and have them do a proper check of the air and brake systems before I sell it. 
I have been diagnosed with a spine disease and just can't do the hard work anymore. I had good air pressure a few weeks ago when I sprayed everything down with soapy water and fixed a bunch of small leaks.   Now I am back to not building air pressure.  Tomorrow I am going to crawl under and check the pressure at the parking tank. 
Is there a way to introduce alcohol into the air system after the air dryer to "thaw" the system if I do have a frozen valve? 

What's cold?

Daytime highs, nighttime lows?

How did you make the other leaks stop?

An empty accessory may be a preesure protection valve, but more likely just means more big leaks, and it doesn't get high enough to make much noise.

Until you have replaced everything pneumatic that is beyond its service life, this is what happens, you leave it, and there's more trouble. There is nothing static about an old bus.

And, in relative terms, they leak worse in the "cold" due to shrinkage.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[chessie4905]

Until the temperature is steadily over 40 degrees, you are wasting your time. Frozen needs more than a few hours to thaw out. We see this problem for years here on many coaches in freezing temperatures.

[luvrbus]

Alcohol won't thaw a frozen system it prevents a system from freezing when mixed with the moisture and air.Wait till in warms for a few days or skirt the bottom with tarps and use a shop heater is the only choice you have

[windtrader]

Until the temperature is steadily over 40 degrees, you are wasting your time. Frozen needs more than a few hours to thaw out. We see this problem for years here on many coaches in freezing temperatures.

hey, so busnuts have to plan to hibernate like a bear when the temps fall under 40? lol

[Utahclaimjumper]

No,,, but a heated garage wouldn't hurt..>>>Dan

[dtcerrato]

hey, so busnuts have to plan to hibernate like a bear when the temps fall under 40? lol

Redundant heat helps too. We once guessed it right when we held a burnzomatic torch on an air check valve and away we went from being froze down. Dryer helps too, has happened since installing one.

[luvrbus]

The purge valve on his drier is probably frozen.The heater on the driers come on at 35 degrees but if the batteries are disconnected they don't do much without power

[luvrbus]

Redundant heat helps too. We once guessed it right when we held a burnzomatic torch on an air check valve and away we went from being froze down. Dryer helps too, has happened since installing one.

I carry a propane torch with extra bottle,lol I use the food torch head on mine something that will put out the heat you can buy those on Amazon for 20 to 40 bucks I have the Koacki 2500 degrees will get the job done in a hurry.I use mine mostly to start campfires and grills with but have it just in case of a freeze up in the air system

[Jcparmley]

That's a good idea. Thanks

Alcohol won't thaw a frozen system it prevents a system from freezing when mixed with the moisture and air.Wait till in warms for a few days or skirt the bottom with tarps and use a shop heater is the only choice you have

[Jcparmley]

Yes, the batteries are disconnected when I am not at the bus.  I can use a heat gun and warm the bottom of the dryer. 

The purge valve on his drier is probably frozen.The heater on the driers come on at 35 degrees but if the batteries are disconnected they don't do much without power

[chessie4905]

Good current serviced air drier, air tanks drained frequently, until not seeing moisture due to effective drier operation, eliminates a lot of issues. Short 20 minute diagnostic runs may crete more moisture than drier can remove on that short cycle. Below 35° with an inop drier exhaust port heater can cause similar issues. Very important to verify operation in cold Temps. You should hear a sharp exhaust sound at that port if operating.
A bad air compressor pumping excessive oil into air system can render desiccant ineffective. Also, about every 6 months to a year, air tank drains should be left open for 12 to 24 hour period to allow all oil and sludge to drain. Collect the residue to inspect what comes oil. Lots of grey/ tan cream composition, (water/oil mix) is a good sign of excessive compressor wear.
Course, you're  planning on unloading this coach asap, but info should be helpful regardless.

[buswarrior]

As noted, just wait for the temps to stay above freezing, waste of time and effort to screw with this until freezing can be ruled out.

For future readers, air system maintenance is a 24/7/365 job.

Air drier maintained, fresh desiccant and purge valve heater tested, drains purged regularly, and a busnut will enjoy trouble free cold weather operation.

The rule is that the previous owner did NOT keep it up, and we inherit a cold weather problem.

Don't bet against yourself, the exceptions become the rule...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[robertglines1]

personal note: I have a foot of steel in my back since 2012..  have completed another bus conversion since then.  took longer but you learn to work smarter..   Might take a minute to let things thaw out and get use to being limited physically ..  Best of luck on both.   Bob