Air line antifreeze

Discussion in 'Freightliner Forum' started by Z247, Nov 24, 2020.

  1. Z247

    Z247 Bobtail Member

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    Nov 24, 2020
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    I drive a Freightliner M2 with a Detroit D D 13 engine. A week ago it got cold here and when I went to start up first thing in the morning the air compressor started making a rattling and hissing noise as if the air was being stopped from going through the line and being released at the compressor. There was clearly ice in the lines. I shut it down and put space heaters under it to thaw them out. The sound went away but now I want to put antifreeze in the line and I don't know where to do it. I've had four people tell me a different place and none of them seem accessible on my particular truck I was hoping that somebody could tell me exactly where it needs to go or maybe give me a walkthrough?
     
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  3. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    If you've got an air dryer, put it in after the air dryer. The antifreeze will ruin the cartridge if you put it in before it.

    Good air dryer and you should have no need for the air line antifreeze unless you're up in the arctic.
     
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  4. Shawn2130

    Shawn2130 Heavy Load Member

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    Good to know. I used safe t brake for air lines.

    I didn’t know they don’t go in before the air dryer.

    Sometimes I’ve put them in at the line that the compressor sends pressurized air through.
     
  5. Z247

    Z247 Bobtail Member

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    Nov 24, 2020
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    Thanks cat. I usually don't have a lot of problems with the brakes freezing but that sound the air compressor made kind of made me nervous. It's been close to 0 degrees at least once here in Colorado so far and I've had trouble with the lines to the beaver tail freezing too. Could it be the cartridge in the dryer? The truck is only 2 years old.
     
  6. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Typically I believe those cartridges get changed out every year or 2. If its never been replaced you're likely due.
     
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  7. jason6541

    jason6541 Road Train Member

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    Change cartridge, every year. Be sure the primary, secondary and wet tank are all drained and system is somewhat dry or your new cartridge will be saturated in the first month or so. I also would suggest changing the heating element in the air drier itself.
    Me personally, I go overboard a bit and stay proactive on maintenance. Knock on Wood only 1 roadside breakdown in 30 years.
     
  8. stillwurkin

    stillwurkin Road Train Member

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    I will second that. Change air drier filter at least every year. I carry a small propane torch for emergencies. Guess i should say, use with discretion. Things will melt besides ice.
     
  9. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Full arctic program

    pull the supply line off the compressor fill that, pull a plug out of the wet tank put a bunch in there. Trailer supply line glad hand fill that . Emergency side trailer hand hand put a little in there........

    you will hurt your air dryer cartridge but it’s already junk so who cares. Your gonna put a new one on in the spring/ fall anyways. 6 months replacement for me. I would see -20 all the time.....

    P. S. let the truck run and don’t set trailer brakes

    Your needs may vary
     
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  10. Z247

    Z247 Bobtail Member

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    Nov 24, 2020
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    Thanks for all your help guys I'm definitely going to see if I can get that cartridge changed out I probably throw a little deicer on the line while I do it.
     
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