For MCI Experts: What was this or what should it be?

[Paladin]

This is some sort of pipe that comes from the rear towards the front and stops at a rusted mess. It's right above the right rear air beam between the center isle and the fiberglass fender. It doesn't look like it really went much further than where it is right now. Maybe something to do with venting from the lav?? There isn't one on the other side. I don't know what it is, can anyone else i.d. it and tell me what I should do with it if anything? 

Much thanks,

-Dave

[captain ron]

That's a your in too deep.
when the urine got too deep in the bathroom it overflowed into that pipe and drained to the front causing all of your rust issues 

[JohnEd]

Dave,

Simply wow on the fotos.  Pro work.

Haven't a clue on your problem.  Sorry!

John

[compedgemarine]

dont know anything about MCIs but on my Eagle there is a steel tube that is a cooling coil for the air compressor. on mine it had a short hose with AN fittings to the tube. the tube snaked back and forth and had another hose to the air dryer. I say had because mine looked like your tube and was disconnected long ago. probably doesnt help but again thats what I found on mine.
steve

[JohnEd]

Steve,

There is a post that quotes an installation requirement that the air dryer be mounted no further than six feet from the compressor.  Poster said the line would cool and moisture would condense and form sludge.  Tour post seems to infer that the original design used long runs to "cool" the air before delivering it to the dryer.  MCI has the compressor mounted in the back on the engine, of course, and the dryer is under the driver so the MCI wieners disregarded that six foot rule.  Myself, I don't know but I would really like to get the inside hot skinny/scoop.

Thanks,

John

[compedgemarine]

John,
on the Eagle the dryer is mounted just aft of the rear axle forward of the radiator. I never measured but the line on it now is probably six feet or so. when it used the cooling coil it was maybe ten feet. I have looked at several Eagles and all of them had the coil out of the system. most were rotted pretty bad. if water and sludge condensed in that line I can see how it would rot quickly. If the dryer is up front on the MCI I could see them running a steel line up front, lots cheaper than braided hose. will be interested to know what it is. I have my Eagle mostly apart and it is interesting some of the things the manufacturer did and still not sure why on some.
steve

[pete81eaglefanasty]

 On Our 81 Eagle it is called a air cooler. it is just where you say it is. we had to replace ours due to some Moron twisting the end which caused an air leak. we replaced it and no more problem. it happens when changing air lines or air compressor and not holding the wrenches tight enough, Because the fitting on the coil is soldered on.see picture of old one

           Pete & Jean
             Fantasy

[NJT5047]

It may have been an electrical conduit for something that isn't there any more.   MCI runs thinwalled tubing similar to your pix for wiring that passes thru bulkheads.  If it's thinwalled, it wasn't an air supply pipe.  
Where does it terminate at the other end?  
Do your side clearance lights work?   May have been placed there for some accessory that was not installed on your coach.  
Most MC9 dryers are mounted just ahead of the steering axle on the RH side.  
That 6' rule is obviously not necessary.   As long as the dryer's working correctly, there are no problems with locating the dryer 25' from the compressor.  
Niles or Buswarrior will explain the positioning rule in great detail as soon as he reads the question.  I've seen the rationale, but my CRS is acute tonight!  
JR

[Paladin]

All my lights work but they were also rewired when the bus was re-skinned. This part hasn't been uncovered in many years.

I haven't been able to find where it ends on the other side. It's still pretty messy and I'm still trying to get to where I can see in there.  So far all I can see is that it runs into a frame member or further?
Tomorrow when I have more light I'll try to probe around, so far it just ends there at that forward point and I need to backtrack to where it comes from.

 

[buswarrior]

Hello.

The length of run between air compressor and air dryer has recommended minimums so that the hot incoming air has a chance to cool sufficiently so that the desicant in the air dryer is not cooked.

MCI enjoy long desicant life, due to the relatively cool temps of the incoming air, versus some installs where the air dryer is close to the compressor.

I am unaware of any maximum recommendations for the length of run.

I liked Charley's idea about that pipe!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[mikelutestanski]

Hello;   I think that the pipe was an electrical  or cable chase for the tachograph that was mounted in the rear bay next to the regulator box..   That was optional equipment..   the tachograph was mechanical and electrical.. used circular paper to record speed , time etc....         The pipe runs next to the fiberglass wheel well from the back bay wall to the engine compartment..    That was in my mci 7   1972 version    not a hound  originally from  S&O bus lines  upstate NY..  This may be the case in your bus???       happy bussin   Mike   

[Paladin]

Bingo! I think we have a winner. I'll go with this one, at least until I can probe in the bulkhead.

[Sammy]

Good eye Mike, I agree too. 

[NJT5047]

Ya'll got me convinced too! 
I remember  tach-o-graphs  from the '60s.  My dad sold the units.  Drivers hated those things.
Allowed companies to analyze driver habits...speed, shift points, time spent on breaks!  They were crude by today's data collection standards. They were an intrusion on what had been a mostly supervisor free job.  They were a lot of trouble to maintain.  The little discs had to be changed too often.
JR

[Paladin]

Ok, I went out again and cleaned up some more. At the end of the tube about 6" or so away is the wall of the rear bay and there is a box mounted up in there. There is a cable with 3 wires that passes through the wall and then heads toward the tube. I didn't see the wires because they were tucked back along the frame and held in place by gunk or sealer of some sort.
If I pull the wire out straight it just about reaches the tube.

Mystery solved, now we can climb back in the Mystery Machine and chase Daphne around in the back. I wonder if she'll run off with me in my bus?? I could call it Dave's New Mystery Machine #2, I always thought she was pretty hot even when I was 10.
Oops, I said that out loud didn't I?