nooga Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 The air ride bags on my 1994 Itasca Spirit apparently are leaking. The valve stems for both bags are located inside the left rear wheel well. I used the usual detection method--a spray bottle of soapy water--to look for the leak. Sprayed both valve stems and both air bags. No bubbles could be seen but I was doing this while crawling around under the MH so I could not always get a good look. Man, those things are low. I could not check the line running from the valve stem to the right side air bag because it ran through a protective tube.I don't think that would be the source of the leak since both bags seem to lose air at about the same rate. Does anyone know a better way to find the leak? And how long do air bags typically last? The bags are original equipment, meaning they are 20 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bufbooth Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 I have heard that folks have had good luck with slow leaks by using tire sealant (slime type products) in the air bags. Dennis... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 I'd have to guess that the success with 'slime' will depend on where the leak is. If at the top of the air spring, how's the slime going to get up there. It's not like a tire that's moving to slosh the slime around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nooga Posted May 10, 2014 Author Share Posted May 10, 2014 I had thought of the air sealant suggestion but so far have hesitated to try it. Since the valve stems for both bags are on the left side rear wheel well--with a tube running underneath the coach to the left side bag--if wondered it was possible for the sealant to travel that far without clogging up the line. Has anyone really tried it with success? I'll take the risk as a last resort only if I decide that the bag will have to be replaced. Thanks for the advise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 You should probably blow up the bags to max pressure when your under there checking. Room to see and possibly more air coming out. I don't quite understand how both bags could be leaking at the same rate. Two completely separate systems there and the likely hood of exact same size holes in both places seem strange. I use a little 12 volt air compressor to inflate my air bags. No driving to a gas station with super low bags that might cause more damage. You also need to determine what air bags you have installed so you can price replacement bags if you need them Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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