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Height Control Valve Failure And Dash HWH Master W...

Yahoo Message Number: 34470
My ride height failure was at 60-65 mph when it dropped the right rear of the coach on the frame. Then the outside of the tire began eating at the wheel well. Thank God I had a place to pull over immeadiatly. I had no prior warning what so ever to this complete and instant failure. In my opionin the ride height system is a poor and prown to failure. Parts brackets are welded and I have heard stories from other owners about the welds breaking. With the kind of stress on this system it needs some attention. 1/4 inch rods, baby size clamps, and failures by the 100's. Most owners carry spare valves on long trips.
AL

00 affinity #5851

Re: Height Control Valve Failure And Dash HWH Master W...

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 34475
The valve was an original on the coach. I was told that the probable cause was a disk inside the valve. Second was a failed "O" ring. I can't remember ( no comments please ) but something on the mfg. material of that disc. Air bag, and linkage... all OK. The failure was instant and no prior warning, traveling along, straight road on cruise. I had Coach Net emergency service at the time. A call to them produced 2 young men that informed me I needed a tow truck. They wanted me to put down the pads ! They were sure I had a broken air bag. When I said I didn't have them and they insisted I must have. "All motorhomes have leveling pads." I thanked them for there 3 hour response. On the phone to Buddy Gregg MH. That's when I learned about the HWH emergency by- pass procedure. Back on the road in 20 minutes.
Another learning experience.

Replace all valves and one has again been replaced as it would not hold ride height.
AL

00 affinity #5851

Re: Height Control Valve Failure And Dash HWH Master W...

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 34476
Ron,

I recently replaced all my ride height valves when I tried to get my1998 Intrigue towed because the coach was sitting too low to get a low boy tow arm under the front end. The original valves have a plastic housing which developed hairline cracks and would not develop enough pressure for a proper ride height. It took 5 hours to tow my bus 10 miles because we had to first replace the valves prior to towing. The towing company only had 2 valves in stock so we replaced the single rear valve and then replaced only one front valve and tee off the lines so the one new valve now operates both front air bags. This is a good quick fix if you don't have or can't get a replacement valve immmediatley.
This is the beginning of a long story, in the beginning of September I was driving from Michigan to New York when I lost the power steering on Route 80 outside of Cleveland , at 10:30 at night. I was lucky and was able to pull into a service plaza which was only a mile ahead. It is nearly impossible to steer a 40 foot diesel pusher pulling a 30 foot long trailer especially at slower speeds. I was able to park the motorhome when I noticed the engine beginning to over heat. At that point I checked for leaks and found none and hydraulic fluid level was good. At that point I knew the hydraulic pump was not functioning, I went on-line and spoke to others in this CC Yahoo group, a few members told me to check the coupler between the air compressor which drives the pump. I had the mobile mechanic remove the pump far enough to check the coupler and it was in place and seemed fine (no excessive movement and the splines were fine) .
I called CC on Wednesday morning and was informed that the pump would take 2-3 weeks to get. This was not an acceptable answer for me, I needed to get back to work in New York, so I spent the next 2 days calling all over looking for the correct pump. I finally was able to access the manufactures inventory and was told that they had the exact pump but with one slightly different pressure reading. I called CC tech support and after a day of research they were able to have one of their engineers call me and he stated that I could use the same model pump with the slightly higher pressure readings; it would not be a problem. (The correct CC spec unit was 160/140 and the acceptable replacement was 160/150).
To fully remove the hydraulic pump you must also remove the air compressor. After overnighting the pump, it was now Friday at 5PM (3 days later) when the mechanic began replacing the pump, 2 hours into the job and after removing the air compressor we find that the compressor crankshaft which drives the hydraulic pump had sheered off. When we checked the coupler 3 days earlier it looked fine and there was no play to indicate a broken shaft. I spent the rest of Friday night and Saturday morning locating an air compressor in Memphis , TN. The earliest they could ship the compressor was Monday, with overnight freight it would arrive on Tuesday morning; another 3 days lost. Finally a week after this all started I was back on the road to New York . When I arrived home I inspected the old pump and found that it was beginning to seize up which caused the compressor shaft to snap. The motorhome is now home in New York and it steered perfectly and the fan worked fine on the trip home. I'm glad I didn't wait the 3 weeks for the correct pressure pump to arrive.
It cost me $3500.00 to take this week long advanced course in CC motorhome engineering, I learned a lot about plastic ride height valves in addition to hydraulic pumps and air compressors. By the way, Cummins wanted $1238.00 for a factory rebuilt compressor, the mechanic recommended an aftermarket rebuilt unit which only cost $258.00. His said his shop has been using this brand for years without any problems.

Paul Resnick
98 Intrigue
#10487

Paul Resnick

PAR Porsche Specialists
PAR Motorsports

PAR Seating Specialists

"Recaro" Warehouse Distributor
"Hans Device" Dealer/Distributor
"Cool Shirt" Warehouse Distributor

www.parcars.com
paul@...
Fax: 914-637-6078
Tel: 914-637-8800

Cummins Aftermarket rebuilt Air Compressor

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 34479
Paul,

Would you mind telling us where you located the aftermarket Air compressor and what brand it was?

Thanks

Kevin

05 Intrigue

Re: Height Control Valve Failure And Dash HWH Master W...

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 34566
Prior to me owning my Affinity it also had a ride height failure and I do carry a spare valve. I completely agree that the system needs to be redesigned. On my last trip I had my coach in for ride height adjustment and I can see why it does not stay in adjustment. In my opinion this is a component that CC needs to consider re-engineering.
Regards,

David and Brenda Barboza
05 Affinity 6370

David & Brenda Barboza RanchoNC Alpacas


50 Duck Creek Court

Valley Springs, CA 95252-8763

(209) 772-3918 cell (209) 612-9100 mail@...
www.ranchonc.com Authorized Guardian Generator dealer

Re: Height Control Valve Failure And Dash HWH Master W...

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 34572

The RV, bus and trucking industries use the same system. When my front valve failed CC tech suggested going to the nearest Prevost bus or truck facility and pick up a replacement valve there.
I now carry two spare valves to cover a potential front (1 valve) or rear (2 valves) failure. However...., although on my coach the same "replacement" vavle is used front and rear, the air line conections and linkage are not the same. The front unit that failed used push-to-install air line fittings for the assembly line and the replacement I was sent had similar fittings. Probably because the coach was less than a year old at the time it was current production and readily available to CC parts. The valves sent more recently have no fittings at all but are threaded to use screw-in compression fitings. In order to have a true replacement valve I need to also purchase the screw in compression fittings of the appropriate angles and tubing diameter for my rig. Fortunately, a well equipped hardware store should have them. The linkage parts are another discussion. After almost a half dozen attempts I have all the pieces for the front and will now work on the rear.
Just having another valve might not ensure an easy replacement procedure. Ride height valves and engine serpentine belts are probably the two easiest to fix (and common) failures that can stop you dead. The parts aren't expensive - unless you don't have them.

Bob Handren

'05 Country Coach Inspire 51178
'00 JGCL

Re: Height Control Valve Failure And Dash HWH Master W...

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 34593
Robert

The fittings must be DOPT approved which you will not fi;nd at the local hardware store. You can find them at locations that deal with the trucking folks as they use lots of air line fittings. the ones on my coach are 3/8 compression fittings.

Marv Swenson

2001 Intrigue 11314

---- Robert Handren rthandren@...> wrote:

=============

The RV, bus and trucking industries use the same system. When my front valve failed CC tech suggested going to the nearest Prevost bus or truck facility and pick up a replacement valve there.
I now carry two spare valves to cover a potential front (1 valve) or rear (2 valves) failure. However...., although on my coach the same "replacement" vavle is used front and rear, the air line conections and linkage are not the same. The front unit that failed used push-to-install air line fittings for the assembly line and the replacement I was sent had similar fittings. Probably because the coach was less than a year old at the time it was current production and readily available to CC parts. The valves sent more recently have no fittings at all but are threaded to use screw-in compression fitings. In order to have a true replacement valve I need to also purchase the screw in compression fittings of the appropriate angles and tubing diameter for my rig. Fortunately, a well equipped hardware store should have them. The linkage parts are another discussion. After almost a half dozen attempts I have all the pieces for the front and will now work on the rear.

Just having another valve might not ensure an easy replacement procedure. Ride height valves and engine serpentine belts are probably the two easiest to fix (and common) failures that can stop you dead. The parts aren't expensive - unless you don't have them.

Bob Handren

'05 Country Coach Inspire 51178
'00 JGCL

Re: Height Control Valve Failure And Dash HWH Master W...

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 34595
sorry DOT approved

---- Robert Handren rthandren@...> wrote:

=============

The RV, bus and trucking industries use the same system. When my front valve failed CC tech suggested going to the nearest Prevost bus or truck facility and pick up a replacement valve there.
I now carry two spare valves to cover a potential front (1 valve) or rear (2 valves) failure. However...., although on my coach the same "replacement" vavle is used front and rear, the air line conections and linkage are not the same. The front unit that failed used push-to-install air line fittings for the assembly line and the replacement I was sent had similar fittings. Probably because the coach was less than a year old at the time it was current production and readily available to CC parts. The valves sent more recently have no fittings at all but are threaded to use screw-in compression fitings. In order to have a true replacement valve I need to also purchase the screw in compression fittings of the appropriate angles and tubing diameter for my rig. Fortunately, a well equipped hardware store should have them. The linkage parts are another discussion. After almost a half dozen attempts I have all the pieces for the front and will now work on the rear.

Just having another valve might not ensure an easy replacement procedure. Ride height valves and engine serpentine belts are probably the two easiest to fix (and common) failures that can stop you dead. The parts aren't expensive - unless you don't have them.

Bob Handren

'05 Country Coach Inspire 51178
'00 JGCL

Re: Height Control Valve Failure And Dash HWH Master W...

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 34601
Bob

Is it possible to use the old fittings?

Larry 03 Allure 30856

Re: Height Control Valve Failure And Dash HWH Master W...

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 34605

Thanks, didn't think about DOT requirements. I'd try to use the old fittings except they are difficult at best to separate from the air lines and have no shoulders to use a wrench or other common tool to remove them from the old valve.

Do you have any other suggestions?

Bob Handren

'05 Country Coach Inspire 51178
'00 JGCL

Re: Height Control Valve Failure And Dash HWH Master W...

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 34607

Nope, not easily anyway. The original fittings are push-in to install fittings; probably an OEM assembly line design. Once installed there is no obvious way to separate the lines from the fittings as they are held in place very securely. The bodies of the fittings are also round so a normal wrench won't work to remove them. CC parts guy told me they had a special tool to remove them. Unless someone has a better idea I think getting "normal" compression fittings is probably the easiest and cheapest idea.

Bob Handren

'05 Country Coach Inspire 51178
'00 JGCL