New to the game and have a "mechanical" issue on a peterbilt 387

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Bubbamoore, May 19, 2013.

  1. Bubbamoore

    Bubbamoore Light Load Member

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    I've been with this company for nearly two months and they seem to care only about keeping us rolling. I'm fine with that as I've just had twins and I need to be able to earn as much as possible, but my personal issues aren't the subject here. I'm in a Pete 387 and last week the AC just stopped blowing cool air. Even with the fan control in the off position, it still blows HOT air into the cab. They don't seem very eager to fix it but I'm Orr from east to west every week and CANNOT sleep in the heat. If u wanna call me a #####, or remind me of "the good ole days", keep it. Save ur negativity for someone else. Please give me advice on what my possible issue is, which fuse it may be if any and how to find it, or if its possibly a safety issue because of the defrost being in direct correlation with the ac... ( I know you use heat to defrost so its a moot point but I'm grasping for straws and pulling my hair out) thank you in advance to anyone who answers in a positive manner
     
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  3. leftlanetruckin

    leftlanetruckin Road Train Member

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    Is there a shut off valve under the hood, will be inline with a smaller hose for the heater core? If so, that will shut the heat off to the cab and/or sleeper.
    As far as the ac not working, you dont mention the year of your truck, so it may be a leak somewhere, which will make the ac not kick on, or a sensor failed.
    Either way, I strongly agree with you mate, it's a safety issue 100%. I have been at it for over 20yrs, and when the ac quits, I quit!

    Martin
     
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  4. Bubbamoore

    Bubbamoore Light Load Member

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    It's a 2010 387. Im really hoping that it a fuse but I'm not a diesel mechanic. I'm a COOK. Lol with a CDL. Lol not sure about the shut off valve. I understand driver comfort isn't a high priority, but drivin thru So Cal into Arizona all thru Texas on i10 is making me discouraged. I know I'm venting but I'm low on experience and have two felonies And newborn twins so my options are limited
     
  5. MJ1657

    MJ1657 Road Train Member

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    Open your hood and look for the shut off valves. They should be near the engine and most likely just be a quarter turn valve. There will be heater hoses attached to them.

    It will not fix your a/c but it will stop the hot air from coming out your vents.
     
  6. Bubbamoore

    Bubbamoore Light Load Member

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    Thank you that will solve at least half the issue
     
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  7. MJ1657

    MJ1657 Road Train Member

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    On my 07' 379 with a Cat C15 the valves for the cab heat are on the right side of the engine near the front. The sleeper valves are near the rear of the motor and a bugger to get to especially if the turbo is hot.
     
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  8. morehp

    morehp Medium Load Member

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    If it is blowing hot air all the time it will most likeley be the small eletric motor that operates the flap in the heater box to controll the temp and air flow in the heater box, they can be tricky to get to, if you want to have a go you should be able to swap it with the motor that controls the flap for the recirculate air flow, they should be the same.
    but you will probably be better off turning the heater taps off on the engine like others have explained, this will stop the hot coolant getting to the heater box, follow the 3/4 hoses that come out of the firewall on the passengers side firewall that will lead you to the taps, I'm not 100% sure if this is right for a 387 but hope it helps you out.
     
  9. Ruthless

    Ruthless Road Train Member

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    I'd suggest looking at the head on the AC compressor as well. That won't keep your air blowing all the time, but it will definitely keep it from getting cold if the compressor popped a piston into the head. Also look at the lines from the AC, if you see any cracks or holes you're likely to have an empty system.
    Tun off the valves first to keep the hot out.
     
  10. leftlanetruckin

    leftlanetruckin Road Train Member

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    Excellent description of the valves i meant, sorry for not being more descriptive on them.
    You can also tape or wrap the intake to the HVAC system too. This will stop hot air blowing into the rigs HVAC system.
    Look for Youtube videos of automotive ac compressors working correctly etc.
    Martin
     
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