47ford

I recently added dome control via compressed air to my car. Found numerous leaks in the system (fittings on the tank, wastegates, Mac valves etc.) but can’t track the last one down. I soaped the whole system at every fitting, found no more leaks and the compressor still kicks on about every 10-15 min. I also left the wastegates hooked up to the compressed air source but Unbolted them from the mid pipe and couldn’t hear any leaks internally. Wastegates are on3 44mm using a Vlair 1gal air tank. The whole system is plumbed with hose and barbed fittings which I may try push to connect fittings to see if that helps. Didn’t know if any one had a similar issue or had any ideas. Worst case scenario I’ll pull the fuse and only use the air system at the track. Thanks for any help!

lowlifegm

Do you have a check valve or one way valve from the compressor to the tank? Even the stock viair one that comes on the compressors is junk and notorious for leaking air pressure back through the compressor once it shuts down.

lowlifegm

Also quality ptc (push to connect) fittings make a world of difference especially dealing with air tight systems

47ford

no I just have the regulator plumbed to the outlet of the tank with a pipe thread fitting. I don’t remember seeing a check valve with the kit?

edit: yeah I believe there is a check valve in the line that hooks into the tank. There were instructions to not over tighten it

lowlifegm

Not really sure which kit you have, is there a separate compressor and tank or is it an all in one unit

47ford

https://www.viaircorp.com/oba/oba-ultra-light

tblentrprz

Most likely leaking back through compressor. You could install a check valve. Leak back rate likely not consuming too much air.

47ford

So just add a 1/4 npt check valve in front of the existing check valve in case it is faulty?

tblentrprz

I don't see a check valve in the kit? If your kit included a check valve you could disconnect the supply line to it and check for leak.

47ford

I believe the check valve is incorporated into the braided feed line that comes from the compressor motor but I will double check to make sure

lowlifegm

If you have verified all other connections are air tight I would go with that one being faulty. You can just simply add a new one in between the tank and compressor in the appropriate direction and be done with it. You don’t need to remove the old one unless you want to and it’s kind of a pain and may cause you to replace the entire leader line if something breaks or bends.

47ford

Copy that I just ordered a new check valve to try that since they are cheap.... I’m going to try and narrow down the issue by blocking the system off in steps and see if I notice a leak.... so I’ll just plug the feed line and see if the tank bleeds air off then the Mac valves and end at the wastegates etc

lowlifegm

I assume you have some sort of pressure gauge on it to monitor tank pressure or just going off of how often it refills

47ford

I have a gauge on the regulator which I normally set to 60psi but for these testing purposes I have been turning the regulator up to like 100psi to see if it is leaking off.... so far it has been leaking off like 15 psi through out a whole day

lowlifegm

Yeah you are in the right track! 15psi a day isn’t bad but still annoying especially on a single gallon tank. Replace the check valve and go back over every joint with soapy water. Closing off each system like you were saying will really help you narrow it down.
if only it was something that you could see leaking this would be so much easier to fix haha

47ford

I installed the new check valve and it didn’t drop a single psi over 24 hrs. So I’m guessing that was the majority of the problem. I am going to test the rest of the system but I think I got a handle on it! Thanks for the help!

lowlifegm

Glad to have been helpful. Thanks for reporting back to help future people with this issue!

stevieturbo

Smoke machine is handy for testing for leaks you cannot find.