Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) BD Exhaust Brake sticks shut

[Leewhiskey]

I don't get on here much because I keep busy, but would appreciate any help I can get with this. My truck sits at my parents place and I am on the road with my car. When I drove it last (Christmas) I used the exhaust brake and it would not shut off. It was dark so I could not look under the hood so I started limping home and it finally turned off so I got it home and left it. I left that night and haven't been home since. I am hoping to get it fixed this weekend so I am looking for any preliminary ideas if anyone has them.



Thanks



Chris

 

[PSoffe]

I am new to the exhaust brake thing, but a friend of mine had one on his 12V and I believe he told me that it was activated through vacuum and afetr replacing his brake system with another found that it had a plugged vacuum line leading to the valve.



Like I said I am not that familiar but it might be something to look at.

 

[SnoKing]

I don't get on here much because I keep busy, but would appreciate any help I can get with this. My truck sits at my parents place and I am on the road with my car. When I drove it last (Christmas) I used the exhaust brake and it would not shut off. It was dark so I could not look under the hood so I started limping home and it finally turned off so I got it home and left it. I left that night and haven't been home since. I am hoping to get it fixed this weekend so I am looking for any preliminary ideas if anyone has them.



Thanks



Chris

Well it could be the control valve stuck or the brake itself stuck. Next time remove the vacuum line to the brake from the control valve and see if it goes off. If so, the problem is a sticky control valve, not the brake. Search on cleaning control valve. This happen once on my pac brake on my 1993. Used some carb cleaner I think or contact cleaner, can not remember. SNOKING

 

[JFitzgerald]

My Pacbrake did the opposite and wouldn't close. Turned out to be a sticky control solenoid. I took the spool out aand cleaned and lubed it. Been fine since. Maybe yours is sticking on instead of off like mine was??

 

[KTobin]

The control valve is the weakest link. Your butterfly valve bushings are stainless steel and your brake canister spring is preloaded to the open position with 100 psi of spring pressure. BD recommends actuating the brake at least once a day, ( I do mine sitting at a traffic light) and pulling the hose off the upstream side of the vacuum valve every oil chainge and giving it 2 drops of a light machine oil.

 

[DLBurns]

I think this is the first thread I've seen where a BD ebrake was sticking! Usually read about the Pac brakes.

 

[Pat@BD]

Usually what happens is the vaccum control valve either gets some dirt or moisture in it and the valve doesnt slide in it to direct the vacum to the brake. This is very easy to fix. If you drop me a line I can send the instructions on how to take it apart and clean it. This will get it working again for you. The bushings on the shaft are designed so that as long as you use the brake on a regular basis when you drive it, it shouldnt freeze up for you. If you have any questions feel free to give me a call at any time.

 

[John Berger]

What would cause the brake itself to stick? Can that be repaired? My Pacbrake sticks intermittently during the winter (south Georgia), but today in 100 degree weather it stuck. I disconnected both hoses from the brake and it still stuck. It unstuck itself after shutting down. Now it seems to be fine.



Any clues?

 

[Pat@BD]

What would cause the brake itself to stick? Can that be repaired? My Pacbrake sticks intermittently during the winter (south Georgia), but today in 100 degree weather it stuck. I disconnected both hoses from the brake and it still stuck. It unstuck itself after shutting down. Now it seems to be fine.



Any clues?

John,



It could be that the bushings on the shaft have seized. I believe they have a lube that you are supposed to use on the shaft to keep it from seizing up. We use a bushing on ours that doesnt need servicing.