GMC Motorhome: Suprise…. EL II air compressor replacement and more

hey guys, it’s Saturday and I found I’m here at the shop with a few minutes to plunk down some stuff….. I’f you’re reading this Monday, you’re behind!

So while the guys stayed so late last night that this morning wasn’t going to happen  I did this 20 years ago but I want my guys to learn this….that makes me the “gopher”!  That’s fine, I’m over here between runs working with David’s coach and the dash AC/heat project Our ambulance remount program is awesome but I still have piles of GMC stuff to do so that’s on me!  Actually I just finished a repair project you guys might be interested in and I’m licking wounds from it so it’s fresh in my mind….

In doublechecking everything on this Palm Beach I found the air suspension system worked buttttttt…..it took forever to pump up.  We just installed a quad bag rear suspension that actually takes less air pressure but she just wouldn’t do it!    This issue is in the original V2 air compressor still being used.  Pulling the compressor out of the hallway compartment …this is and Electro-level system….the EL II systems are there too but that’s another huge can of worms!  The ole girl was done, if your compressor only pumps up to @ 80 pounds it means 1 cylinder is gone….. with it picking up the quad bag system but no0t reaching ride height I bet that’s the issue here…..  Time for a new Viair compressor  The model we use is a continuous duty unit pulling not more than 30 amps.  There are some that will put you airborn right now….but how much current do they pull?  And remember on the original wiring there is a 10 ga. power wire running from the glove box to the compressor…….. not a good thing!  BTW, there was a GM bulliten to rewire these systems and I’ll do that for you now…… First, drill a hole to the compartment above where the living area electrical system fuse block is located.   Connect a heavy gauge in line fuse holder sporting a 30 amp fuse and run it below to the air compressor compartment connecting the 8 ga. wire to the brown wire going into the compressor relay.  Cal off the old brown wire going into the harness.   This allows you to pull a stonger current from the living area electrical system to run the air suspension compressor more efficiently.    Now installing the new Viair compressor we have more current available…a stronger signal to the compressor means a better air delivery system.  If you notice, the braided stainless output hose from the compressor has a new check valve built into it so that important part gets renewed too.

NOW…. cycling the air ride system the coach came up fast….. but @ 5 minutes it cycles again…. found the 2 original black plastic fittings over the compressor above the compressor leaking….. will replace those Monday.  I locked off the quad bag system to see if it holds to Monday.  This is how you approach bringing an air ride system up to speed…..one step at a time…….  here they are blowing bubblesOK, it’s Saturday so I’m outa here.  See ya Monday……

Liked it? Take a second to support jimbounds on Patreon!