2016 Seneca Air Compressor

Kerwin1959 · 02-07-2016, 09:44 AM

Bought new 2016 Seneca TS. On test drive noticed air comp cycling frequently. Asked about and was told normal. Have one on 1 ton truck and it doesn't cycle nearly as much. Thinking a leak some where. It cycles every 50 - 65 seconds. Which is some what bother some. Anyone else experience anything similar.

oldmanAZ · 02-07-2016, 09:52 AM

Congratulations on your new Seneca and welcome to the JOF.

Mwade · 02-07-2016, 01:49 PM

You can check your rig for air leaks by doing a brake and air pressure test. I don't know what kind if set up is on the 2016 Seneca. Do you have air gauges you can monitor while doing the test? Just look up on computer. how to perform a air brake test on a truck. It will walk you step by step on how to do it. This is something that should be done everyday before driving a vehicle with air brakes.

Edd505 · 02-07-2016, 02:36 PM

Is the compressor cycling or does it have and air dryer? Like Mwade said you should do an air brake test daily as part of your "pre-trip."

WaltW · 02-07-2016, 05:09 PM

If the Seneca air bags work like a class A then the cycling while driving could be the result of suspension adjusting for sway, road angle and dips, etc. If they cycle while standing still, you probably have a leak.

jestew3 · 02-11-2016, 11:19 AM

My compressor does the same thing and I notice more when driving conditions change (road angle, hills, etc) which is from the suspension air bags filling and venting. Under normal and flat driving conditions, it doesn't cycle very much at all.

It is a bit loud isn't it?

Hope that helps.

Ted

Robbbyr · 02-11-2016, 06:31 PM

Even though I have a '14 that does not have air brakes, my unit has the same engine-mounted air compressor. And they are known to be noisy. Several of us have taken them to Freightliner to have them looked at to ensure there wasn't an issue. When I mentioned my concern to the service manager, he told me it is a very common complaint on the Cummins ISB with that compressor. Lots of the same engine/compressor combination in school buses.

Upon inspection of my unit the compressor itself was determined to be fine, but they did find a bad gasket on the compressor where the outlet fitting bolted. There was a slight air leak due to improper bolts being used at assembly. They replaced the bolts and gasket and my compressor cycling decreased.

On a new unit with air brakes more compressor cycling is to be expected. Like stated earlier, with the air gauge you should be able to more easily monitor air pressure than older units which have no air gauge.

For those with a new unit with air brakes - Did any of you test drive an older Seneca with juice brakes? Just wondering how you thought they compared.

Kerwin1959 · 02-11-2016, 07:00 PM

Have found that even parked under canopy sitting still, the air pressure steady loses. Then air compressor builds back up from 140 down to 110 & back again. Ever 50 - 65 seconds.

Robbbyr · 02-11-2016, 07:22 PM

If literally just sitting still (but running) with no brake or suspension activity that seems like a significant air loss. When the engine is off how fast does the air deplete and can you hear any air leaking?

In my prior life driving fire trucks that much cycling would have put the truck out-of-service with a mechanic on their way to check things out.

rgolding · 02-13-2016, 08:16 AM

So many Class A motor homes have access to the air compressor for inflating tires and such. Has any one made that mod on a Seneca? Always thinking how to improve or screw up a good thing. ;-)

Robbbyr · 02-13-2016, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgolding

So many Class A motor homes have access to the air compressor for inflating tires and such. Has any one made that mod on a Seneca? Always thinking how to improve or screw up a good thing. ;-)

Would interest me too. I also want to add air horns without adding an electric compressor and tank since we already have onboard air. The Seneca certainly needs more horn than they came with!

anav8or · 02-13-2016, 04:59 PM

Hey Rob -

Our 2015 Seneca has an air horn that's tapped into the chassis air system, so it is possible. The original owner (who took one trip and brought it back, leading to a great deal for us) had it added at a Freightliner shop in Florida.

You're absolutely right - the stock horn sounds like it belongs on a smart car. The air horn sounds like a train and definitely gets the attention of the offending driver.

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