Purge valve leaking...

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by leftlanetruckin, Nov 20, 2013.

  1. leftlanetruckin

    leftlanetruckin Road Train Member

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    Mo Via Blackpool,Lancs.
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    Here's the scoop.
    Western Star with 56k miles on it, 2009 so it sat for a while, but is under full warranty. S60 Detroit
    Got up last week and notice air pressure going up and down when I started the rig. Popped the hood and the purge valve was leaking a little after it blew off. No biggie, I got a new one and put it in. Also replaced the air dryer filter. Fixed.
    Today back in cold weather (North Dakota) and it is leaking again! Figured I got a bad valve, so froze my butt off instead of waiting at the dealer etc and changed it again. Same result.
    One last thing to try, changed the governor. Same result. Thought maybe the governor was letting the compressor run on, causing the purge valve to leak..
    When shut off, the gauges are at @90psi when I start it the next morning, so it isn't leaking all the way down etc.
    It's a Wabco mounted on the frame rail, can probbaly get the model number from the build sheet if I go digging.
    What else can it be? WS dealer can get me in tomorrow, just as I have to load a blade here in Grand Forks. It's building air no problem, so not overly concerned about it right now, but it is bugging me non the less.
    Thoughts?

    Martin
     
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  3. Chip S

    Chip S Light Load Member

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    So it doesnt leak at all when the air system is building up? There is a good chance your unloader valve is leaking on the air comprssor, causing your air compressor to stay in the loaded state and not shutting off.
     
  4. leftlanetruckin

    leftlanetruckin Road Train Member

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    The purge valve does it's spitting, which is normal per the book.
    How hard is the unloader valve to change?

    Thanks!

    Martin
     
  5. Oscar the KW

    Oscar the KW Going Tarpless

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    On my cat with a bendix compressor, there is a little plate with one or two torx screws, take them off and lift the plate and pull the unloader valve out, put the new one in and put the plate back on, easy.
     
    baha Thanks this.
  6. HISPEED428

    HISPEED428 Light Load Member

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    Plum Coulee,MB
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    If it only does it when it's cold, it could be the heater element.
     
  7. Chip S

    Chip S Light Load Member

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    Yes, the unloader valve is a simple fix, esp with a S60 engine with the front mounted air compressor. Take off the two T25 torx bolts off the top and pop off the unloader valve. I think its about a $15 part. You can easily test it before you buy it by taking off the 1/4" air line going to the air compressor and putting shop air in the fitting at the compressor. If you hear an air leak inside the compressor, the valve is bad
     
  8. leftlanetruckin

    leftlanetruckin Road Train Member

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    Thanks fella's. Looks like I will give it a shot. No handy ws dealers close by my house, so that is why I am screwing with it myself.

    Martin
     
  9. JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

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    The test for the unloaders leaking is to remove the hose off the intake, run the truck untill it unloads then put you finger over the hose if there is preasure blowing back the unloaders are leaking.
    Just a thought!
     
  10. leftlanetruckin

    leftlanetruckin Road Train Member

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    Great tip, thanks!
    Just so I have it clear....
    Remove the intake hose from the compressor, off the intake duct from the filters.
    Start the truck and let it build up until it blows off at 120PSI.
    Put my finger over the end of the hose and feel to see if there is pressure trying to come back up the hose to where my finger is.
    That about it?
    I will try to do that tomorrow, cold and dark now!
    Cheers

    Martin
     
  11. JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

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    Thats it, take the hose off the intake manifold is a lot easier to get the clamp off.
     
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