FAST IDLE DOES NOT ENGAGE

luvrbus · February 07, 2011, 01:39:03 PM

You guys are a little hard on Rich his problems sound like a broken spring on the discharge valve allowing the air to return to the compressor you don't here that leak but either way he needs it fixed

good luck

Nellie Wilson · February 07, 2011, 04:36:47 PM

Howdy Luvrbus -

Where's this discharge valve located? That's a new one on me, and I'd sure like to know (for future reference).

BTW, sure don't mean to be 'hard on Rich' and I'll bet nobody else does either. He seems a good guy with a legit problem, but he's new to this forum thing. I'd guess the comments are just well intended guidance... not to help us, but to help him.

Just my two-bits, FWIW.

Nellie

luvrbus · February 07, 2011, 04:59:37 PM

Notice I said a little hard Nellie lol anyway the discharge valve is on the bottom of the head on the compressor they have a head like a engine the valve builds up with carbon and will break the spring or won't close then the air go back through the compressor those inline check valves don't hold all that great.

good luck

Ed Hackenbruch · February 07, 2011, 08:15:15 PM

Gus, when my governor started acting up, it would not build air past about 30 lbs.

Busted Knuckle · February 07, 2011, 10:15:31 PM

Clifford are the "discharge" valve and "unloader" valve the same thing just called by different names?
Otherwise I have to say I have yet another thing form you! (doesn't surprise me either!)

I have never heard of it called a discharge valve, but am familiar w/what I was taught were "unloader" valves.

If not I'll have to learn more about them. And if so, I'll agree that I too have had problems with them. But it seems that ALMOST everytime I suggest they might be the problem to someone else it turns out I am wrong and most times it does in fact turn out to be the governor. (such as in Nellie's case where no matter how we adjusted it it just would not co-operate with us and led me to believe it was something else as "the governor had just been replaced"

)

BK

Nellie Wilson · February 07, 2011, 11:15:50 PM

Hey BK!

How ya doin? Sorry I missed you at Arcadia this year (undertand you were there?).

Like you, curious about this 'discharge' thingy Luvrbus (guess that's Clifford?) mentioned. Not sure it's the same as the unloader valve? Mine's on top of the head and Luvrbus talks about the bottom of the head. But these buses have sooo many bits and pieces, can't sort them all out. Still trying, but I sure envy all the knowledge on this board.

Speaking of unloader valves, mine's still in the box... and I hope it gets to just stay there.

Be headed your way (if winter ever ends) and wondered if still possible to hang out awhile? My ol' gal needs TLC and impossible to do it here... very 'fru-fru' joint (it's really not, but they act like it is).

Yak soon... maybe a PM?

Nellie

luvrbus · February 08, 2011, 06:38:44 AM

BK, they are different the unloader valves on top of the head works on the intake side and the discharge valve is under the head works on the compression side

good luck

Busted Knuckle · February 08, 2011, 06:42:46 AM

Clifford thanks. Looks like I better go out and tear apart the spare down in the shop and learn how it works before I need to know by experience

!

BK

Busted Knuckle · February 08, 2011, 06:53:26 AM

Nellie,
Sorry but no I didn't get to make it to Arcadia this yr. Had problems come up @ the last minute and wasn't able to go.

And yes "Luvrbus" is aka "Clifford" and by far one of the most knowledgeable busnuts hear on the board! Knows everything about Eagle's and quite a bit about the rest of them too. (not to mention he knows most Eagles and who owns or did own them!)

Super great guy to have around sharing his knowledge with us "young'ns"

!

Glad to hear you have a spare to keep the unloader from giving you troubles. LOL

Hey if ya get up this way swing on in. We ain't got the 15 acres anymore, but we manage and have a nice "new to us" shop still.

PM anytime here or FB!

BK

Nellie Wilson · February 08, 2011, 08:14:24 AM

BK -

Sorry you missed 'A' but makes me feel better. Couple guys said you showed, that I just missed you (no wonder

.

Seeing as you're experimenting on a spare comp., mind coming back on this 'discharge valve' thing? I can't see much on mine (you've seen my tight setup). Maybe another part we should all carry around?

I'll send a PM.

Thanks Clifford (pardon my familiarity). After that plug by BK, I'll pay more attention to what you say!

Nellie

coloradorich · February 08, 2011, 01:31:45 PM

I appreciate all of the information. Am currently in Walsenburg Colorado and it is now 4 degrees with two foot snowdrifts around bus. Will let you all know what I find when weather permits.

coloradorich · February 08, 2011, 01:40:13 PM

Forgot on my last. It is Rich in name only. Also when I rev to 95 lbs th fast idle works just fine. When I stop for fuel it only looses air if fast idle is turned off. If left on air stays up. My wife thinks the fast idle uses too much fuel. My Maintenance Manual has poor pictures and some diagrams are unreadable. Does anyone have decent prints of the air system or know where they can be obtained.. Thanks.

Chopper Scott · February 08, 2011, 04:19:59 PM

Stay warm Rich. The coldest temp I ever endured in the bus was 32 degrees out and it was in Florida of all places!!!! I thought last winter was one to remember. This year is topping that!

rv_safetyman · February 08, 2011, 06:23:16 PM

Rich, we are in Evergreen, Co and we can relate to the cold and snow. Our bus in inside, but the shop is not heated.

You certainly have a lot of things to look at based on some good input.

One of the best suggestions is to plumb in an auxiliary compressor (120V). That will do a couple of things. First, it will sort out if this is an engine compressor issue (unloader/governor/etc.) and second, it will allow you to check for leaks without running the engine.

A quick way to make a auxiliary connection is to pull a plug from the wet tank (first tank after the dryer/compressor) and plumb in an industrial female quick connect. You will have to make a special connection on the aux. hose, so that it has a mating male connector.

The method I prefer is to pull the plug and install a check valve and plum a male quick connect into that. That way you can use the standard air hose.

Jim

Nellie Wilson · February 08, 2011, 08:48:41 PM

Rich –

Ain't wives grand?

Seriously, the fast idle doesn't use more fuel. It may burn more fuel but it wastes less. And it serves several purposes: It (1) keeps the engine warm (many positives right there) which (2) prevents flooding the cylinders with unburned fuel and (3) diluting the oil. Plus – according to some – it provides sufficient revs to actuate the alternator (but mine seems to need more). And, as you already know, it keeps the bus aired up.

Most important, it keeps the bus warm on cold nights.

Hey, Chop, I spent nearly two days broke down in minus 30 F. I'd spent all summer filling my tank, 5 gallons at a time, and used it all up (didn't dare shut down) sitting 100 miles down the road. Could'a cried (pretty sure I did).

But I did stay warm.

Jim, couldn't you just air into the schraeder valve in back? Be a lot easier to reach. Just askin'.

Nellie