Polyair problems

Submitted: Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 17:16

ThreadID: 48298 Views:2996 Replies:9 FollowUps:7

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Member - Terry G (NSW)

Hi guys
I've had polyairs on my 2000 prado for about 5 years now. Always been very happy with them. BUT!!!When I checked them today - expecting them to have about 6-7psi in them they both showed dead flat. When I tried to pump them up I got the same result on both bags - the pressure gauge on the compressor runs up very quickly to about 5opsi (in about 1-2 seconds) and then when I put the tyre gauge on it reads about 7psi and in the process of getting that reading it empties all the air. It's as though there is some sort of blockage between the valve and the bag, but on both sides???? They are totally separate units and the feeder lines are very short with the valves inside the wheel arches. I have tried changing one of the valves, but same result. The bags are definitely flat, i can push the sides in with my finger. Any ideas???? Just to clarify, my compressor would normally take 5 seconds or so to pump them up to 25-30psi.

tessa

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Reply By: handy - Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 17:22

Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 17:22

its not your compressor fitting is it ???

AnswerID: 255367

Follow Up By: Member - Terry G (NSW) - Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 17:31

Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 17:31

Handy , tried that - even tried to pump them up with a bike pump, but couldn't seem to get any air into them. Thanks anyway.

tg

FollowupID: 516505

Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 17:25

Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 17:25

Only comment I can make is that when I check mine with a hand guage, they can lose several psi just putting the guage on (because the capacity of the system is so small, a whiff is a fair percentage of what's in there). Could you be losing it while checking / detaching hoses etc ?

AnswerID: 255368

Follow Up By: Member - Terry G (NSW) - Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 17:30

Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 17:30

Darian
No, I'm always conscious of that problem and for that reason have a low pressure guage. I t definitely seems as though there is no air getting into the bags. Thanks for the thought.

Tg

FollowupID: 516504

Follow Up By: handy - Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 17:35

Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 17:35

terry i had mine apart the other day, unclamp the line from the air bag at the valve and see if you can blow in it. cheers

FollowupID: 516506

Follow Up By: Member - Terry G (NSW) - Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 17:46

Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 17:46

thanks mate I'll try that in the morning.

tg

FollowupID: 516508

Reply By: bruce50 - Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 17:56

Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 17:56

Hi
Had the same type of thing found the hoses had perished fitted rubber vacuum ones
can get them at any auto shop
Bruce

AnswerID: 255370

Reply By: DIO - Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 18:35

Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 18:35

Check your lines - they're prone to perishing resulting in slow leaks. You might have to replace them.

AnswerID: 255378

Reply By: jeffwa - Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 19:10

Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 19:10

I have the firestone version of the poly airs and have had leaks in them before where the air line fits into the bag. Don't know if the poly airs are the same but mine just have a brass fitting that literally just clicks into the bag. I ended up just sticking them into the bag with sikaflex, stopped the leak - all good now.

AnswerID: 255384

Reply By: Member - Terry G (NSW) - Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 19:25

Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 19:25

Thanks guys I like the idea of worn out hoses, will check that in the morning. A lot cheaper than new bags!

tg

AnswerID: 255388

Reply By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 20:05

Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 20:05

Terry

That pressure sounds very low to me. I keep them at 15 psi around town. You may have some damage to the bags.

Regards

Kim

AnswerID: 255395

Follow Up By: Member - Terry G (NSW) - Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 20:08

Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 20:08

Thanks Kim, recommended pressure unloaded is about 5psi and I have always kept them a shade above that.

15 is a bit high unladen, I usually run that when I am camping and not towing.

tg

FollowupID: 516530

Follow Up By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 20:38

Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 20:38

Terry

I still think 5 psi is far too low. Even if it's a recommended mininium from the manufacturer. I'll go you half way and suggest 10 psi to allow for air loss.

PS Tape up the air inlet points with gaffa tape to avoid damage and mud.

Regards

Kim

FollowupID: 516538

Follow Up By: Wizard1 - Thursday, Aug 02, 2007 at 08:30

Thursday, Aug 02, 2007 at 08:30

Kim,

you are correct. The manufacturer recommends running 10 psi when not loaded and a max of 35 psi when loaded. Any less may result in the bag moving our too much in the spring which may cause damage.

Maybe thats how the leak was caused...

FollowupID: 516580