2016 Volvo with electronically controlled air dryer and governor. Piece of crap!

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Forever237, Aug 5, 2022.

  1. Forever237

    Forever237 Light Load Member

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    Like the title says, Volvo engineers tried to show off and over-enginiered simple stuff. I can’t hate them enough for that.
    Half electronic Half mechanical air dryer:
    Bought this truck almost a year ago. It was nothing but a constant money pit. And for one reason only. I can’t get its air dryer and governor work properly.
    1. Fixed all the air-leaks (hoses, transmission leak, fan clutch leak (very small) was fixed). You can leave the truck for a day and pressure is around 60-90 psi the next morning.
    2. Replaced air compressor.
    3. Replaced Wabco air dryer (the whole freaking assembly) 4 TIMES!!!

    Symptoms:
    It purges air sometimes in 2 mins, sometimes every 30 seconds. Sometimes (more often than not) when I leave it to idle, it stops purging and the pressure goes over 140 psi until Safety Valve kicks in.
    Also, while driving on the highway, when I glide down a hill (when glide speed goes over cruise control), air compressor pumps like hell and governor doesn’t cut it until safety valve comes to rescue. When it is back to pulling purge valve starts working. (Electronically freaking controlled governor! Who the h€ll thought it was a good idea?)

    Today it wants a new air dryer ($600) because the one on it currently had already been used for 15,000 miles. And I can’t find one in dealerships.
    I really want to burn it to ground but I’m a poor guy.
    Anyone had this experience?
    What else should I look into?
    Is there a way to switch it back to primitive yet working system (like with mechanical governor, etc)?
    And yes, #### You Volvo!
     
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  3. Jacoooooooo

    Jacoooooooo Heavy Load Member

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    I would check the air line from the fan clutch again. I know you said you fixed it, but this only leaks when the engine is running. Go thru the entire line from clutch to solenoid, it’s a long piece and you may be surprised what you find.
     
  4. Forever237

    Forever237 Light Load Member

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    I’ll do that!
     
  5. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Did you replace the governor?

    and if you did, did you actually see that the proper or ports are the right ones and you didn’t have to block a port to get it to work right?
     
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  6. Forever237

    Forever237 Light Load Member

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    Governor is managed electronically by computer. That’s what I first thought, i’ll just change the governor and problem soleved. Called dealer, they couldn’t find a governor that fits (parts guy was little confused for he saw that first time). My truck is special breed.
     
  7. Forever237

    Forever237 Light Load Member

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    Do you know any other air lines that if they leak, then only while engine is running? At this point I’ll just change them all.
     
  8. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    So what’s so special about your truck?
     
  9. Jacoooooooo

    Jacoooooooo Heavy Load Member

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    The small line from the top of compressor to the governor and the fitting that it clicks into, it likes to crack and have leaks, this one gets air when compressor is discharging only.

    Although that electronic issue idk about.

    It does sound like a leak or governor if it was a regular Volvo setup.
     
  10. Forever237

    Forever237 Light Load Member

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    There is NO actual (material, made of metal or plastic) governor in my truck. It is done by computer. Like I said, I called dealer to get governor. He was dumbfounded cause he encountered that first time. And I don’t mean “special” in a good sense. I’d exchange for simple mechanical air line system any day.
     
  11. Jacoooooooo

    Jacoooooooo Heavy Load Member

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    Can you take a picture of the firewall (driver side) with the hood open? Where the electric connections from the engine to the cab are, windshield washer reservoir fill, wipers assembly etc - that area.
     
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