DOT Inspection methods

Are you serious? Best way to pinpoint an audible air leak is to make it visible.

Have you looked at those valves? What happens when you drive down the road when it's raining?

Do you believe everything you hear over the airwaves? Well he got cleaned, how about did they use lube?

 

Pay attention the next time you are inspected. The applied pressure test is a leak test, lose 4 psi or more in 1 minute, you failed. The same test that is done during DMV testing for a CDL.

 

Actually the OOS criteria is somewhat different than the CDL test.

k. Air Loss Rate
If an air leak is discovered and either the primary or secondary reservoir pressure is not maintained when: (396.3(a)(1))
(1) Governor is cut-in;
(2) Reservoir pressure is between 80 – 90 psi (551 – 620 kPa);
(3) Engine is at idle; and,
(4) Service brakes are fully applied.

Best regards​

 

The exterior of the valves are not that delicate, most made of aluminum and no soapy water can enter the valves (If there is a leak the escaping air prevents entry and if there is no leak it can't enter either. Most valves are exposed to the elements anyhow.

If an officer or anyone els suggests using soapy water to help find a leak that you cannot otherwise find, why would anyone object?

Best regards

 

Driver that had this done was probably a #### to the inspectors or pulled the "this is my home, you can't search it" crap and it bit him in the ###.

 

Any driver (Or inspector) that doesn't have a clue where the leak likely is before he exits the cab may want to learn a few things or possibly reexamine his career choice.

Best regards

 

That is the procedure we use to determine if an air loss, any air loss anywhere in the system, if the vehicle should be placed out of service.

Another air loss item that can place a vehicle out of service is an audible air leak in a brake hose that is at a place in the hose other than at a proper connection. This refers to AUDIBLE air leaks, no soap required.