Tuflo 600 compressor rattles

lostagain · January 20, 2013, 11:55:34 AM

Tuflo 600, gear driven off the cam shaft at the back of my 6V92, has been rattling ever since I got the bus 3 years ago. It is a little clatter when the compressor makes air, not when it is unloaded. Being in "fix it/maintain it" mode in the shop, I got it off to take a look. I had been postponing it because, being where it is at the back of the engine, it is a job and a half to remove it. I had to take the power steering pump off, then open the access hatch under the bed, and drain the coolant, etc. The compressor works very well otherwise. I have been suspecting the spine drive. I don't see anything wrong with the compressor. The splines on the "cylinder", about 3" dia. X 4" long, are very slightly worn. So are the female splines on the cam shaft and the compressor drive. There is a small amount of play. I am suspecting that is what makes the rattle when loaded. I don't see that it would harm anything, other than continue to wear slowly. Someone here recently mentioned that a compressor drive rattles sometimes, implying that it is normal. Clifford Luvrbus maybe. I will re install it soon, unless someone tells me not to.

Comments?

JC

hargreaves · January 20, 2013, 04:30:49 PM

JC is there a large spring in the end of the splined shaft. If not there should be, it keeps it loaded to the gear side. Cheers Gerry

lostagain · January 20, 2013, 04:47:00 PM

No, no spring. I'll look in the manual to see what it looks like. Thanks.

JC

lostagain · January 20, 2013, 05:07:06 PM

Gerry, my manual (1988) does not show a spring. Is this something you did in your bus shop? Is it a coil spring? Do you put it on the compressor side of the drive coupling to push it against the cam shaft? Can you explain what it does. Or does it twist the coupling against rotation to keep it from rattling?

JC

bevans6 · January 21, 2013, 03:43:11 AM

MCI setup does not have a spring. The splined piece is about 2" long and maybe 2.5" in diameter.

Brian

lostagain · January 21, 2013, 06:48:58 AM

Thanks Brian, that is what I thought. Last night I removed a compressor off of a 4-71 I have lying around, and found the same set up as on my bus's 6V92, no spring either. Actually the splined coupler is in better shape, so I will use it on the 6V92. I will re install today. I feel better now that I have looked, so I won't have to worry about a little clatter. And I was able to fix a little leak at the power steering pump's supply flange while it was off. By the way, the power steering pump drive has the fiber disk between the dogs.

JC

TomC · January 21, 2013, 07:01:00 AM

Air compressors can make noise for a long time before and if they even fail. As long as you're not pumping oil into the air tanks, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Good Luck, TomC

hargreaves · January 21, 2013, 07:03:32 AM

JC ours all had a large coil spring . It went between the compressor and the splined coupling. It is about 2.5 to 3 in. long and just fit inside the splined coupling. It stopped the chatter. The couplers do wear and need to be replaced when worn. Being a transit we always changed them when we changed compressors which was about every 2 years. Transits go through a lot of compressors. Cheers Gerry.

lostagain · January 21, 2013, 07:11:35 AM

Thanks Gerry, where do I find one? Would Western Bus Parts in Vancouver have one? I'll see if Alberta Engine in Calgary have one or know where to get one.

JC

hargreaves · January 21, 2013, 07:19:42 AM

Waterous in Calgary, or Cullen Detroit Diesel in Vancouver should have them.

lostagain · January 21, 2013, 07:21:06 AM

Thanks, I'll phone around today.

JC

lostagain · January 25, 2013, 12:10:46 PM

Gerry, I could not find a spring for the drive coupling anywhere. I called the Detroit dealer in Calgary, Alberta Engine, and Fleet Products (they specialize in re manufacturing air compressors), none of whom heard of such a spring, let alone have one. I am thinking that is something that your BC Transit shop had built special to them. So I put my compressor back up without a spring. I did use the splined coupling off a 4-71 I have that is less worn, a little less slop. I think it will be fine. Thank you.

Here is a good video about compressor installation:

CompresF.wmv

JC

hargreaves · January 25, 2013, 04:06:54 PM

JC I will check at the shop and see if they have any kicking around.. we don't use them anymore but there may be some around. Cheers Gerry