Flying Pig Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 My truck has an AD9 air dryer. In the past Ive tried to insulate the line from the compressor to the dryer but the insulation melted. The reason for the insulation is that the air line freezes and plugs before it gets to the air dryer. Im really tired of this. While Im working Ill leave the line loose so some air can escape. If I leave it run overnight to keep the fuel warm, I may find a blown head gasket on the compressor. Its not a bad job to change but it really screws up a days work. Can anyone offer a solution? Do I need to go backwards in time and use an alcohol evaporator? Ive never used one but have had to pour alky down the line to clear it. I keep a torch on hand to melt the ice plug but again its a pain. No I dont use flame around the alky! Quote You'll never go wrong by doing right. Who do you call when the lawmakers ignore the law? Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/12044-freezing-air-linesdryer/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
HK Trucking Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Make sure the air line runs consistently downhill from the compressor to the dryer with no "dips" where water could accumulate and freeze while the compressor is not pumping.. Quote "If You Can't Shift It Smoothly, You Shouldn't Be Driving It" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/12044-freezing-air-linesdryer/#findComment-46497 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Pig Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 Its down hill all the way. Once it froze up farther forward and another driver gave me his mouth wash to pour down the line. It worked and I made it home. Most often it freezes just ahead of the dryer which is the lowest point. The line is horizontal where it enters the dryer. Quote You'll never go wrong by doing right. Who do you call when the lawmakers ignore the law? Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/12044-freezing-air-linesdryer/#findComment-46507 Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterj Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 My pete/cat has this happen too.. first, put a pressure releaf in the compresser head (pop off) it will save your compresser..Mine only does this the first really cold spell, when the truck sits, on startup it builds air the first time, then shuts off ok, then when it leaks down to pump the second time, its either really slow or frozen solid. I have to pour alky down the compresser feed line. when it works i'm usually good for the rest of the year... does your dryer have a heater? is it working?is it getting power?i've found that mine freezes at the elbow at the inlet to the dryer, it,s a comb of water and oil, sludge.. when sitting it slowly creeps down the line and accumulates there.. hope this helps .. that's all i know.. Quote peterjhttp://forums.aths.org/Instantforum2010/topic72786.aspx57 mack h67 Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/12044-freezing-air-linesdryer/#findComment-46530 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Pig Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 The dryer has a heater. Im not sure its getting power. I have to change the heater about once a year. Its cold when I discover the problem.How does an evaporator work? Quote You'll never go wrong by doing right. Who do you call when the lawmakers ignore the law? Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/12044-freezing-air-linesdryer/#findComment-46531 Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Run a piece of soft copper tubing along each side of the pipe making a u turn at the dryer and run your return heater hose through it. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/12044-freezing-air-linesdryer/#findComment-46553 Share on other sites More sharing options...
macattack Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 The dryer has a heater. Im not sure its getting power. I have to change the heater about once a year. Its cold when I discover the problem.How does an evaporator work?evaporator goes between your dryer and your first tank. its a container where you fill with air line antifreeze. as the air is pumped through it sucks up the air line antifreeze as a mist and pumps to your tank. works great. cheap addition and a easy install. only about 60.00 dollars. i am in canada and on one of my trucks thats all i have i dont even have a dryer and i never froze up yet. just drain your tanks daily.also i think if you replace the rubber air hose coming off your compressor with a steel/copper line that would definatly help your freez problem. the line will stay warm that way. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/12044-freezing-air-linesdryer/#findComment-46586 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaddeusW Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 evaporator goes between your dryer and your first tank. its a container where you fill with air line antifreeze. as the air is pumped through it sucks up the air line antifreeze as a mist and pumps to your tank. works great. cheap addition and a easy install. only about 60.00 dollars. i am in canada and on one of my trucks thats all i have i dont even have a dryer and i never froze up yet. just drain your tanks daily.also i think if you replace the rubber air hose coming off your compressor with a steel/copper line that would definatly help your freez problem. the line will stay warm that way.What you are describing is actually called an alcohol injector. And alcohol evaporator is installed on the compressor intake. But since some compressors were/are plumbed from the intake manifold you need an alcohol injector. Quote -Thad What America needs is less bull and more Bulldog! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/12044-freezing-air-linesdryer/#findComment-46594 Share on other sites More sharing options...
supershepy Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 There is a great product they use up north in the Industry sector.It's called POLAR LUBE.It is quite exspensive (about $100.00 a gallon) but only a small amount(cap full) works wonders.It is used for the purpose of getting away from any kind of achol base stuff(Methal hydrate etc.)which is as you all know hard on seals,valves etc.The Polar Lube stops airlines from freezing and gunking up plus acts as a lubercant for seals etc.Not sure any help to you Quote Southern Girls Rule! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/12044-freezing-air-linesdryer/#findComment-46991 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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