Calling all people with exhaust brakes!!! HELP (long)

[DHatfield]

Kat sorry if this is in the wrong forum and if so I am sure you will know what to do with it. Anyway was driving home from Colorado from the dyno event in Castle Rock. I always use my exhaust brake to slow down and use it daily. Anyway to the problem as I was passing people on the interstate going 75MPH the person in front of me slowed down which forced to to let off the gas (diesel) pedal which in turn caused my exhaust brake to engauge, but when I went to accelerate again after traffic started moving again the exhaust brake WOULD NOT disengage even after I turn the switch off to manually turn it off. Since I was in the passing lane going 75 MPH and people were behind me and beside me (in the slow lane) I could not just pull off to the side of the road without causing an accident. So I just accelerated more and it would not move out of it's own way (similar to driving the compations diesel trucks ) which started to **** me off and since the truck would not move any faster even after holding the stupid go pedal to the floor I down shifted to 5th gear and after pressing the pedal to the floor again the exhaust brake finally disengauged. I was also not driving with the cruise control on if that matters.



So I have two questions for you all the most important one being is the a chance that I damaged the engine in anyway? The worst I thought would happen is getting a valve to float or what ever? It seems to still run okay and I don't know what the egt's got up to as I was trying to figure out how the heck to get the brake to shut-off.



My second question it I use the exhaust brake every day and in fact I used it earlier that day without a problem if it not disengauging and no I did not wash the engine compartment either. What are possible things to check other then the activation switch the is connected to the go pedal as I checked it after I got home which appears to be okay as it makes clicking noise as soon the the pedel is pressed down about 1/2 - 1/4" down?



The exhaust brake is a BD and I have never had a problem with it until now.



Thanks and sorry about all the questions.

 

[Joe G.]

It sounds like the little vacuum control solenoid stuck. This thing is really easy to fix. In an emergency you can squirt some WD40 in the little brass cone air port and that will probably free it. I'm not sure exactly where it's mounted on a 24 valve. It's the little gadget that the wire and hoses go to. On a 12 valve it's usually mounted at the back of the air horn. It's best to take it off and put it on your work bench before takeing it apart. There is a little spring inside that will leap out and get lost otherwise. Just take it apart and clean the little piston. It's pretty simple but make sure you notice which way the parts go. It sometimes gets a little crud ridge on it so that it sticks. That results in vacuum going to the hose that closes the exhaust brake regardless of throttle position.

 

[merryman]

I had that problem a few times with the Pac Brake on my last truck. In each case it was crud in the very small orifices on one of the pneumatic switches. I cleaned them with electric contact cleaner and compressed air-----the switchs on the BD are likely different, but possible it is the same type problem



Vaughn

 

[Evan A. Beck]

I see this happen every now and then, and it is always due to the spool valve getting stuck. Whenever I clean them, I disassemble the whole business, and clean up the little piston with some Scotch Brite. Then, give it a little WD40 or Snap-On air tool oil, and reassemble. Works great. As to damage to the engine, well... The BD brake is internally regulated with a 60 lb spring inside the vacuum canister. Once the exhaust pressure reached 60 lbs, it actually forces the butterfly to open.



Be sure to check the idle pressure of the brake when you get it the spool valve taken care of. Make servicing the spool valve an annual or semi-annual preceedure.

 

[Brandon]

my my my





Beck you are getting pretty rich blood now... ... snap on air oil





lol

 

[Mad Bomber]

BD brake

The fuse is under steering colum, to me it sounds like the micro switch came loose under gas pedal LOL Eric

 

[Evan A. Beck]

*LOL* Brandon! Whatever works!

 

[DHatfield]

Thanks guys as I figured that may be the problem, but not sure. I did just had it cleaned about 6 months ago.

 

[Ramkids]

Doug:



Given the conditions you drive in, the solenoid valve is more susceptible to corrosion and dirt build up.



The switch is easy enough to check with a continuity meter. I would clean the solenoid spool valve.



I know the installation was correct - the guy you had install it knew what he was doing

 

[DHatfield]

Ramkids I am not blameing the installer as I know he know what he was doing as well . I am going to try cleaning the spool valve as everyone had noted and hope for the best.