Topic: Best way to track down air leaks (ARB)

[jfrabat]

Last ride out, I noticed my ARB compressor kept kicking in every 3 seconds or so, which leads me to believe I have a leak somewhere.  Last few times something like this happened, the culprits were a broken air line and leaks in the connectors at the compressor, but this time it could well be a problem with the rear locker, since it was removed to fix the rear ring and pinion.

What I wanted to know is if you guys have any tricks or tips on narrowing down the source of the leak, as the last few times, it was more of luck than knowledge that led me to find the issues!

[sharpxmen]

soapy water and a small (1/2'' to 1'') paint brush works best (squirt some dish soap in a plastic cup, add a little bit a water and create a soapy solution, any leak no matter how small will create bubbles if you brush it around the fittings) - watch the foam around the fitting to see bubbles increasing (there will be some when you brush it but as long as there aren't any more forming or increasing in size you're fine).

[Jeffy]

I prefer using a spray bottle since you can get the most coverage with teh least amount of effort.

[grumpygy]

Dawn dishwashing soap in a spray Bottle.  Go easy on the amount of soap to water. 1-2 tsps.  Then spray and look for bubbles. If it is s slow leak the spray bottle works best.  But a major leak you will need to listen to find it.

[Jeffy]

You could also disconnect the lines and pressurize it just enough and start dunking it in a bucket, hot tub or swimming pool.

[jfrabat]

You could also disconnect the lines and pressurize it just enough and start dunking it in a bucket, hot tub or swimming pool.

A friend of mine sells the air lines for industrial purposes.  I am thinking about buying a roll from him and just replacing them anyway, but I want to put the hoses inside the aquarium transparent hose to protect them a bit more while I am at it.  What I have to check is how difficult it is to connect the locker itself (I know how to connect and disconnect the compressor, but I have never unplugged the hose from the compressor itself).

[Mozman68]

I bought the braided ones after I ripped through one of the blue ones and couldn't seem to repair properly. The look and work great.

[jfrabat]

I bought the braided ones after I ripped through one of the blue ones and couldn't seem to repair properly. The look and work great.

Except for the price, those are not a bad idea...  I'll chew on it for a while and see if I go that way or not.  I am tired of chasing air leaks, so I may just go that route!

[Jeffy]

Except for the price, those are not a bad idea...  I'll chew on it for a while and see if I go that way or not.  I am tired of chasing air leaks, so I may just go that route!

I like the colored ones from Crown Performance.  They make some nice brakelines as well.  ARB makes some as but they are only for the axle to frame and not compressor.

The problem I can see with braided is that they can trap dirt/mud and don't stretch at all.  They aren't as forgiving when snagged either.

[aw12345]

Simple does it remove air line from diff plug it or simply fold it double, turn on compressor and see if leak is gone. If that's the case look at the ferrule at the end of the blue line. The rubber O ring that seals the copper line going into the fitting  on the diff housing, this is inside of the fitting that screws into the diff housing.This fitting is a 2 piece affair that you can take apart from the outside of the diff. If the rubber ring is there and in good shape it's time to start looking inside the diff at the ARB airhousing and the copper line going to it. If that all looks good then replace the O rings inside the ARB air housing

[stan98tj]

I had the same thing happen when we started my ARB compressor for the first time the other night. Ran the locker and the compressor kicked on every second almost and we could hear a leak coming from the differential. We couldn't feel it coming from the fitting where it goes into the diff, and we tightened that to be sure, but we could still hear it hissing. Figured I'd have to get it open to see. Took it to the trail and it magically "fixed" itself. Don't know how, but the constant start up from the compressor was gone 

[aw12345]

That means the O ring in the airmanifold or what ever you want to call it seated and finally sealed

[stan98tj]

Well my leak is back. Compressor runs constantly, although it depends on how the jeep is angled. Changing out the diff fluids this weekend so I'll have the diff open and I'll try and tweak it.

How did your leak come out? Did you find it or fix it?