My mystery air leak; could it be the leveling valve?

An air bag leak would cause air to come out the purge on the level valve? I can build the air pressure up to 120psi then shut the truck off. Go back to the level valve and it's purging air out of the level valve. I can reach underneath the level valve and put a slight upwards pressure on it then the air stops leaking. I'm talking about slight upwards pressure. You cannot hear any tell take air hissing anywhere else, that stops the leaking. And I'm not talking about enough upwards movement to make the level valve air it upwards (or downwards or whichever way it goes when you push up on it). I'm talking about just slightly upwards on it stops the air coming out of it.

 

Yep I would bet on one of your airbags has a hole in it, those air bags dry rot and crack, if one is leaking it will take forever for them to rise when hooked to a heavy load

 

I'll check it out thanks. I already know they're dry rotted and cracked somewhat. They do look bad but they've always looked that way.

Makes sense now don't know why I didn't get it yesterday...

 

Still have the same problem. This is a level valve or leveling rod issue. Either that slight play in the level valve is not as should be. Or the slop in the leveling rod connections is the trouble. Just replaced all 4 air bags and still air purging outthe level valve. I didn't check the bags for leaks they looked so bad I just decided it was time to swap all 4. Even though still have my issue glad to have those new bags in. The half inch studs out the bottom of 2 of them had corroded so badly they weren't even a quarter inch. Might have lasted for years like that or broke tomorrow but they won't break now. All I know to do at this point is adjust the level valve to take care of the slop. If that doesn't work I'm at a loss and have to get someone else to look at it.

 

My level valve will stick when it's super cold -20+ but cycling the dump a few times makes it not leak again. I have replaced it and haven't had any issues.

 

I'm probably asking a stupid question here, but are you line connections to the valve quick connects? If so, spray some soap around them when you can hear the leak. The quick connects are good for one time use and that's when they slap em together at the factory. Most times when you take one loose and re-use it, it'll leak. Sometimes at a pretty good rate, other times not so bad. Might explain why you can shift the valve assy slightly and the leak rate changes. Just a thought, may be totally off base.

 

I trimmed the air lines and replaced the ferrells with brand new. There was one fitting with 1/4" line that I did not replace and suspect might be leaking. All the others were 3/8's line. Will check it here soon.

 

Another thought would be the dash control valve for dump acting goofy, but pushing slightly on height valve making it stop wouldn't have anything to do with the dash valve. If you don't have a leak at the dump control line at the valve, I would think you just about have to have a problem in height control valve itself. If it's a pretty new valve, like y'all were talking earlier, the problem being the country of origin. It's sad to say, but I get into that situation a lot anymore. Trying to fix a problem with crappy parts. I usually tell my customers upfront that we may have to buy a bushel basket full before we get one that works correctly, and then you don't know if will work correctly for what period of time. That really highlights the term "parts changers" anymore. LOL

 

Mine would dump air out the bottom when cold. Cycling the dump several times got it to hold air and not dump at the same time. I replaced the leveler and it never happened again. Didn't leak out the hoses only out the exhaust port while inflating the bags.