Airline freezing up

Hi d, well, the time to deal with moisture in the air system, is before it starts to freeze. Is your air dryer working properly? Line could be frozen before the air dryer. Best thing, would be to get it in a heated garage, and let it warm up and drain the air tanks, if you can do that. I don't think putting alcohol in the glad hands will do it. I've heard of people putting alcohol in the line that goes from the compressor to the air tank, with limited results. Good luck. I'm sure you aren't the only one having problems.

 

An emergency fix is to pop the big line off the compressor (discharge line) and put about a half bottle of air line anti-freeze in it. Then go get a new dryer cartridge, as yours is shot.
This may cause other issues if that line is the original. It may have a bit of carbon buildup from normal operation, and the alcohol may break that loose plugging things up.

 

Second that pop your service line and dump alcohol in it

 

make sure you use air guard and not rubbing alcohol. the rubbing alcohol contains some water,and will lead to more problems than you already have. be safe out there

 

Hi j, you are right, I should have clarified that. We always called it "alcohol", but the air guard stuff is the stuff to use.

 

I would not put half a bottle in when it comes to methyl hydrate alittle goes along way mayby 1/2 to 1 cup initially. After that I would go 1/4 cup periotically. After you get it in pump your brakes down let air build and repeat as needed to get alcohol through system. It takes a little time but will work.

 

If you run in cold northern states as an owner operator, try to manage your $$$, and take a break during winter and extreme cold weather; exactly this time of the year;
Honestly, i learned hard way;used to run Trans-Canada hwy , Toronto- Vancouver and back with apples from Yakima ,WA via I-90/94 ; the money i made didn't cover cold related breakdowns, the truck burns lots more fuel, towing, downtime, roads closed, dangerous icy roads ,chains, accidents;
I'm parked for 6 weeks; this job is tough and dangerous and 10 times worst for truck and driver health during winter.

this one cost me about 6000$,

 

Don't the service lines have check valves preventing you from being able to help out the truck air system that way?

Putting it in the big comprest or lines worked for me although I heard recently that it will destroy your air drier cartridge. Take a plug off your primary air tank and dump it directly in there for the absolute best result.

That being said your cartridge may be screwed already and the compressor lines easiest and works best.