Air compressor dryer leak

[porschpow]

Periodically I would get a hissing sound coming from this thing here how do you remove the hose


Should there be an o-ring around the small hose going out the dryer as well as one going from the dryer to the compressor?

I don't recall seeing one.

Now my car is sagging and I need the car tomorrow. Just my luck.

Can you buy rebuild kits.


Should of left it alone!!!!

[mercurygm88]

The air line connection to the dryer as well as the connection to the solenoids is whats commonly referred to as a push pull connector. Push in on the orange connection on the dryer and hold it in then pull the air line out, there is no o-ring where the air line goes into the dryer. I can't recall whether theres one where the dryer connects to the compressor. Also are you sure the leak is coming from the dryer? You mentioned that you periodically hear hissing from this area and the vent solenoid for the air suspension is located on the compressor. When you close the doors it will vent in order to level the car I also believe that it is active for up to an hour after you shut the car off, is it possible this is what your hearing? You also mention that the car is sagging, unless you have a leak in your air springs or a bad solenoid this shouldn't be happening. As long as the solenoids are closed which they should be with the key off then there should be no loss of air even if there was a leak between the solenoids and the compressor.

[porschpow]

The air line connection to the dryer as well as the connection to the solenoids is whats commonly referred to as a push pull connector. Push in on the orange connection on the dryer and hold it in then pull the air line out, there is no o-ring where the air line goes into the dryer. I can't recall whether theres one where the dryer connects to the compressor. Also are you sure the leak is coming from the dryer? You mentioned that you periodically hear hissing from this area and the vent solenoid for the air suspension is located on the compressor. When you close the doors it will vent in order to level the car I also believe that it is active for up to an hour after you shut the car off, is it possible this is what your hearing? You also mention that the car is sagging, unless you have a leak in your air springs or a bad solenoid this shouldn't be happening. As long as the solenoids are closed which they should be with the key off then there should be no loss of air even if there was a leak between the solenoids and the compressor.

Just to let you know this isn't air springs, but air shocks in my 89. And yes between the dryer and compressor, I do feel air leaking, if I push down on the line where the air hose meets the dryer, it leaks.. I don't think it has anything to do with the solenoid and sensor with the door opening

[mercurygm88]

Just to let you know this isn't air springs, but air shocks in my 89. And yes between the dryer and compressor, I do feel air leaking, if I push down on the line where the air hose meets the dryer, it leaks.. I don't think it has anything to do with the solenoid and sensor wiuth the door opening

Ok that makes sense I thought you were talking about your '97, I guess I should have noticed that this was posted in the box section. I don't really know much at all about the auto level system on the box town cars, just the '90 and up air suspension. I don't even think the boxes have a solenoid at the shocks I think the lines just hook right into them. I'm also thinking you can probably still buy a new dryer, it may even be the same as the dryer on the '90 and up town cars.

[gadget73]

Same thing, use a small wrench to push down on the orange collar and you should be able to pull the line out. Might have to push it in a bit first and then pull it out.

There is an O ring inside where the blue line connects, but you have to dissassemble the connector to get at it. Pry off the orange ring, then use a pair of needle nose pliers to remove the brass bit underneath. Down inside the hole should be a plastic washer and an O-ring.

There also ought to be an O ring either down inside the compressor itself where the drier goes in, or on the end of the drier. Not sure where it hung out, but it needs something in there to seal.

Since the drier is off, its a good excuse to renew it. Unscrew the top and dump the desiccant into a baking dish. Put it in the oven for 45 mins or so on the lowest temperature you can set it to. The beads should turn from a yellow-brown to a white or white-blue color when they dry out. Alternatively, if you've got bags of silica beads laying around, you can just change the desiccant. You can also change it if you feel compelled. Its the same as the 90s cars I believe.

[sly]

also, when you pull that line out, if it looks chewed or crimped, you can use a razor knife to cut it clean just north of the crimped spot to seat a "fresh" clean line in the quick connect.

[porschpow]

…..then use a pair of needle nose pliers to remove the brass bit underneath. Down inside the hole should be a plastic washer and an O-ring.

There also ought to be an O ring either down inside the compressor itself where the drier goes in, or on the end of the drier. Not sure where it hung out, but it needs something in there to seal.

Since the drier is off, its a good excuse to renew it. Unscrew the top and dump the desiccant into a baking dish. Put it in the oven for 45 mins or so on the lowest temperature you can set it to. The beads should turn from a yellow-brown to a white or white-blue color when they dry out. Alternatively, if you've got bags of silica beads laying around, you can just change the desiccant. You can also change it if you feel compelled. Its the same as the 90s cars I believe.

So that brass sleeve that grabs the blue hose needs to be yanked out? Won’t you damage it? I guess you must need a really skinny pair of pliers to get in there (especially the washer and )-ring in the dryer.

On the other side of the dryer(where it meets the compressor), I saw no O-ring, just looked to me like it was a direct plastic to metal sealing surface.

As for the dryer, there is a nut shape that allows you to take off the top of the dryer container…only thing. I can’t unscrew it. Any tricks to get it open?

[porschpow]

also, when you pull that line out, if it looks chewed or crimped, you can use a razor knife to cut it clean just north of the crimped spot to seat a "fresh" clean line in the quick connect.

I am hoping Scott can chime in on this one, but I believe he said to not to cut the blue air line.

[sly]

don't cut it off of the dryer, but if it's not going to seal, you can cut off a half inch and reseat it. Don't cut it if you remove it and it still looks nice.

[porschpow]

cut up to the rub right? not past it

[sly]

yup.

[porschpow]

Rib I meant, not rub

[gadget73]

Might have to cut the rib off, depending on how short the end bit is.

http://thelincolnmarkviiclub.org/documents/tech/airDryerLines.pdf

To get the drier apart, I've stuck the hex nut end in a vise and used a strap wrench to get the body loose. Don't unscrew it all the way like that or all the stuff will dump on the floor. Once it cracks loose, turn it so the air line connection is up and carefully unscrew it. There is a spring in there, so keep hold of the lid.

http://thelincolnmarkviiclub.org/documents/tech/airDryer.pdf

thats Mark VII stuff, but its the same other than having more connections.

Just a side note, that shows the earlier design with the retaining clip at the bottom of the drier. Later ones are the 1/4 turn locking tab type. Other than that, it works the same.

[porschpow]

Thanks!! I believe I will have better luck dealing with the o rings once it's all apart

[porschpow]

So I looked it over. I undid the dryer, I will be baking tonight. The O ring behind the washer didn't seem that bad....Don't know why it's leaking there. Bad hose maybe?

Still have no clue where there is an O-ring supposed to go on the dryer to compressor connection.

Definitely o spring in the dryer.

Don't remember there being an O-ring between the dryer and dryer cap.

Am I missing something here?