leakage

[Low68]

Do you typically have airbag leaks? I put on the first bag yesterday and it leaked down a 1/4 of an inch, which isn't bad compared to my dad's truck, but I don't want any leaks.

[LuckyHG]

How long did it take to leak down?

Have you tried putting soapy water around the fittings, you should be able to keep the same pressure for awhile.

[craig@ridetech.com]

Be sure to use some type of thread sealant on all of the bag fittings and good straight cuts on the airline and that will be a really good start. Sometimes I have found that the fittings may not seal on the first try and you will have to go back and do them again. Also, use a really soapy water to spray on all of the connections to help you find the leaks, it is also a good idea to put as much air pressure as you can in the air springs when looking for leaks.

[Low68]

Thanks for the tips. I mounted the other side and it didn't leak. I think I need to go back and redo the fitting on the passenger side. Also, I used teflon tape. It leaked down over probably 8 hours, which is not that bad but I don't want any leakes at all.

[pharcyde05]

in my experance leaks come and go i drive my 60 mi a day on my trip to work so i will aquire a leak every now and the but its just a matter of finding it and resealing it they seem to happen more often in teh winter time when it gets colder
but hears a nice lil story
a few weeks back i went out in the morn ant the back end of the truck was lifted all the way up i had got a leak in my rear up valve so it slowly filled my bags all night while iwas sleeping

[leftcoast66]

That's funny that it filled it. Makes sense but usually think about leaks as emptying them.

[jimmydean]

I will do a leak-down test this weekend. Mine leaks from 65 pounds to nothing in about 8 hours. It would be nice if I can slow it to more than a day, but a leak-proof system seems nearly impossible without hard lines and AN fittings, but that's just me I guess.

[XXL]

Originally Posted by jimmydean

a leak-proof system seems nearly impossible without hard lines and AN fittings, but that's just me I guess.

I'm using press fittings and DOT plastic line. I have zero leakage (proved out with a 6+ month hiatus from driving it-- no leakdown). I glop this stuff...


on the threads like it's going out of style, and tighten them down well. All my lines run as straight as possible, with curves to meet up with fittings being as large a diameter as possible to reduce side load on the fitting. Use a brand spankin' new razor blade to make line cuts. I've had the system apart numerous times over the last 6+ years that it's been installed, and I've reused fittings many times... just dope them up before reinstalling. Only leak I've hever had was a burst gauge line.

[TravisH]

Use blue loctite rather than teflon tape on brass fittings. My system lost 10psi over 14 days

[Shane]

Loctite is designed as a thread locker, not a sealant.

Telfon tape is designed as a thread lubricant, not a sealant.

Use a liquid pipe sealant.

[Low68]

Originally Posted by Shane

Loctite is designed as a thread locker, not a sealant.

Telfon tape is designed as a thread lubricant, not a sealant.

Use a liquid pipe sealant.

What Sealant do you use? Do you let it set after you put it on, or can you air it up right away? We tried using permatex 80633, which I think is their general purpose liquid thread sealant, and it didn't seal well at all. In fact, the teflon tape seals better than that.

Anyone use permatex high performance thread sealant? It is supposed to handle high pressure. What about the permatex pneumatic/hydraulic sealant?

Thanks for the tips.

[Shane]

It will need to cure / setup before adding pressure. And yes you should get something for pneumatic systems.

[pharcyde05]

GM part # 12346004 pipe sealant has worked out great for me and you can pick it up at any chevy dealership

hears a lil tip
if you use too much it can get messy found that out when i first started

[laidout69]

my truck at 1 time was aired up for 6 months. and never leaked down.. just check your fittings for tightness.

[jimmydean]

Where did you get the goop? Is that something I can find at ACE Hardware or Home Depot?

I am dedicating a full day to leakage resolution. I should also have the back end finished as well, but the leaks are key for me at this point.

[XXL]

Originally Posted by jimmydean

Where did you get the goop? Is that something I can find at ACE Hardware or Home Depot?

Yes, standard plumbing pipe dope. Should be in the brass fitting and/or iron pipe areas. Be generous with the stuff, but don't put air pressure on them until they have some time to "dry" -- you don't want the air pressure pushing the stuff down into your valves Work from one end of your system to the other. When you're done, air it up and use a squirt bottle with soapy water on each fitting... look for bubbles. After you've identified all leaks, bleed off pressure and redo each leaky fitting and do it all over again.

[jimmydean]

My setup is a little different than others I've seen. My valves are "paired" in dump/fill sets mounted about 3' from the bag they control. I will look at each group and redo as needed. Thanks.