Leak FREE! Yes, my coach is ‘Bubble Tight!’
Those words are extremely rare in the Prevost community, but my 1994 XL chassis is leak-free in both the braking system and auxiliary air! I know some may doubt this, but it’s true. I’ve tested my coach for five days and haven’t lost a pound of air pressure in either system. This is a first for me during my ownership.
How did I achieve this? It’s simple—just a little time and patience. I used the renowned ‘Texas Bubbler’ as a leak detector and installed a ‘TexasDrifters Pneumatic Reliability Upgrade.’ This non-Prevost modification included a 12-volt solenoid (purchased from a great supplier for air fittings and accessories) that blocks the air supply to the step well floor slide and ISRI seat when the key is turned off. These two components are known potential leak points. You’ll need to find a switched 12-volt (or 24-volt) location in the Prevost electrical panel to control the solenoid. Getting these two devices leak-free can be challenging, especially for the floor slide, which can leak around the shaft seal if the alignment is not perfect.
I also found that my auxiliary air compressor was leaking back through the compressor, so I installed a double check valve setup at the outlet to the auxiliary compressor and inlet to the air tank. After making these modifications and repairing a few minor leaks, I achieved 100% leak-free status.
A sidebar comment: I believe any modification to the Prevost suspension system requires careful consideration. I would only make such modifications in an emergency as a temporary fix. Prevost’s design engineers develop their systems for durability and safety, so I prefer a hands-off approach to suspension modifications. Their systems are great and long-lasting!
Many POG members may recall my comments at the Austin Rally about ‘MANAGING’ my air system leaks. This means I keep my leaks to a tolerable amount and then find and correct them. The only time my coach is truly leak-free is when it’s sitting in my bus barn. Once I take it out for a spin, all bets are off. But I’m bragging now while it lasts. Once your coach is tightened up, it should stay that way unless there’s a component failure. The last time I did this level of leak detection was three years ago, and my aux air compressor was running twice a day, so it was time for a check-up.
I call my coach ‘the other woman’ because she’s complicated and definitely high maintenance. But when all systems are ‘fine-tuned’ and she’s airtight, she’s … well, she’s ‘the other woman.’
I’m happy!
Hector