Airbags leak when cold?

496 BB

Head Thread De-Railer
Feb 20, 2009
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At your girlfriends house
My bags always leak when its colder outside to the point where they will be at 40psi and in morning (not much temp variations) they will be depleted. I assume its the lines shrinking from the weather and not the bags since in summer and all other parts of year its just fine.

Does anyone run braided stainless steel lines or just compression fittings on the DOT plastic lines? Maybe I just need to invent a bag warmer :spit:
 

LBZ

Super Moderator
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Jul 2, 2007
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It's quite common for push in style fittings to leak a little, but I'd be more inclined to check your bags. When they are inflated to your normal pressure, give them a squirt from the squirt bottle filled with soap and water and look for leaks around the top and base of the bag. After awhile, they start to leak there.

I run braided part way down to my air tank from the compressor but not all the way. It wouldn't be a bad thing if you did, just more costly than synflex and push on fittings.
 

1lowdiesel

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Sep 18, 2008
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Also you can run some of the Air Line/brake antifreeze stuff that big rigs run. i would bet you have a small leak though. Mine leak but it's only b/c i have a leak at one of my fittings. When i had no leaks i could leave it up all night and never have a problem and i know plenty of other people that do as well.
 

1953drtelco

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Feb 24, 2010
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I had a set that leaked just on one bag after I had them installed. I took them back 2 times for testing...said they found nothing....I removed the bag, placed in a 5 gal bucket of water and was able to see the leak instantly....Took them back with the bucket of water and showed the mechanic.....Can you see the leak now???? I had to wait 3 days until the Firestone Rep inspected them...At least I got the price of the air-bags and install refunded...but still a hassle....Good luck with the soap and water solution....I had no luck with that since my bags were leaking on the top...
 

496 BB

Head Thread De-Railer
Feb 20, 2009
697
5
18
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At your girlfriends house
I dont understand why it would leak on when cold though. They dont leak a bit of air when its say above 40*. Below that and they leak. I leave the trailer hooked up all night and day when its warm at 40psi and its just that when I get in the truck in the morning. Cold its not.