3406B building to much air

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by mile marker 27, Dec 26, 2025 at 7:25 AM.

  1. mile marker 27

    mile marker 27 Road Train Member

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    3406B in an ‘87 379. So, it’s been several months since I ran this truck and it’s building too much air, according to the gauge. Maxing out at 150psi and what’s the likelihood that it’s the governor, pop off valve, at the tank or something else? Drove the truck for about 10 miles, came to a stop, went through the gears and heard a steady air leak for about 4 miles. Air dropped to 92psi and stayed, until the air leak subsided and psi went to 150psi. This is a dump truck, with 3rd axle and air ride. No uncharacteristic air leaks, that I noticed after shutting the truck down. Any ideas?
     
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  3. MRMTRANS

    MRMTRANS Medium Load Member

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    I'd try to get it to replicate the audible air leak by driving, then stop immediately and try to find.
    As for the high air pressure, you might be able to lower it by adjustment in the governor. On a Bendix D2 governor, you just unscrew the black plastic cover (turn counter clockwise by hand-but might need to initially break loose with pliers), loosen a locking nut with a deep socket (7/16" I think), & then turn the adjusting bolt that has a groove for a flat head screw driver. I can't remember if clockwise or cc lowers air pressure. I do remember you don't have to turn much to adjust, like maybe start off turning 90°-180°.
     
  4. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    The air leak was probably the safety valve on one of the air tanks. Usually they pop in the 150ish range.

    Unbolt the governor from the compressor and make sure the unloader signal is getting pressure at or above 120-125 ish.

    You can just shut it off and unbolt it when it's at 130 and see if there is air coming out of the hole in the governor that goes to the unloader.

    If it is, the unloader could be an issue, if not, either a governor issue or air supply to the governor.
     
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  5. mile marker 27

    mile marker 27 Road Train Member

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    Aired up to 140psi, removed governor and no air is coming out. IMG_7399.jpeg IMG_7401.jpeg IMG_7400.jpeg
     
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  6. mile marker 27

    mile marker 27 Road Train Member

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    image.jpg
     
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  7. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    Those old stratoflex lines are notorious for leaking, causing frequent cycling of the unloader and air dryer popping.

    But, if you remove the supply line to the governor and the pressure seems good, I'd probably throw a governor at it and that'll likely fix it.
     
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  8. mile marker 27

    mile marker 27 Road Train Member

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    Thank you. The truck is releasing air but not until the gauge bottoms out at 150psi and it sits at 150psi for a minute or two before it does. I’m not by the truck at the moment, of the two lines, is the interior line the supply(reservoir)?
     
    Last edited: Dec 26, 2025 at 11:54 AM
  9. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    IIRC, it’s the line closest to the block on yours. RES? I think is what it's marked as.

    Since you have no air at any time while it's unbolted, only one of them is going to have pressure
     
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  10. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Times 2 on the “Overloader”. Had a similar issue on my 1994 E model years ago. When cold it would go beyond 120, once it warmed up or cycle 3-4 times, it would run/pop back to normal 120. It was the overloaded kit on top of the compressor. Very easy to replace. But they had 2 types, I couldn’t tell the difference today.
     
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