Air dryer

Well worth it. Mine was getting stuck open, first from ice during a deep freeze. I could push the valve in with a small screwdriver, after heating it up, hold it till it held. A bit later it started leaking even in warm weather. The trick only worked for a short time. It ended up leaking constantly, slowly getting worse. Seems like the spring inside the valve goes bad. I found rebuild kits online for the valve. Tried taking mine apart to see if it was possible to replace the o rings. Wasn’t an easy task. Tiny snap ring makes it almost impossible. Whole new rebuilt unit at Fleetpride was about the same price as a filter and valve rebuild kit. Probably cheaper than filter and rebuilt valve. The filters have always lasted me at least 4 years. 5th year had problems twice. I suggest changing the filter only once after 2-3 years. Then replace the whole unit within another 2-3 years. Some suggest every year. I disagree. No need. The manufacturer has a schedule for line haul applications. I think it’s close to 4 years. You can look it up. Meanwhile keep a bypass fitting, some alcohol , just in case it goes bad. Avoiding a service call. I’ve had to do it twice over the years. Both times I had 5 years on the filter. Last time I already had a new unit onboard. Didn’t quite make it home. Weather turned cold. Seems it’s always on the coldest day of the year, or on a weekend when everything is closed. Bad item to procrastinate doing maintenance on. Mines due again now that I’m thinking about it. Been a few years. Lol.

 

Something that doesn't get mentioned enough, but if the purge valve first hangs in the cold, the heating element in the air dryer is likely bad. It's there for the sole purpose of keeping moisture from freezing in the purge valve assembly and causing the valve to hang up.

 

this is the nightmare. try to break everything at home before u leave