Pac brake problem?

[daytripper63]

I have a pacbrake on my 03 for about 16 mos now and lately it acts like it has a air leak when motor is cold. Compressor will take longer than normal to kick in exhaust brake and will cycle a few times while brake is on, I have already checked air line for leaks and sprayed soap bubbles on connections and cant see a leak. I also have oiled all shafts,swivels,etc regularly.

Anyone else have their Pac brake do this?

 

[SRadke]

Mine acted up in a simialr fassion and eventually quit working all together. I suspected the compressor had failed but in the end it was the solenoid that had gone bad.



-Scott

 

[jelag]

1 - have you tightened the exhaust brake to the turbo..... its suggested that this be done after a couple of hundred miles of use... . after this re-tightened it doesn't need to be done again.



2 - the solenoids have a very small pilot hole..... any dirt in the lines at the time of installation can plug this up and cause solenoid failure...



3 - We see a lot of installations where the pins pushed into the computer haven't been installed all the way... PacBrakes installation instructions suggest you push the pin in until it clicks... . we pull the connector to the ECM and make sure the pins are pressed in all the way..... often a customer will insert the pin in the incorrect hole the first time and damage the pins ability to stay in... . there is a pin replacement available for those who have done that ... we have a tool to pull the pin and replace it...



4 - my 04, 14 months old, has 108K miles and functions every day... with no delay even when its -10* F outside... might I suggest the air tank to reduce the delay in the pacbrake comming on... . and you'll have an air supply for air horns... .



5 - engine oil on the shaft will cause problems... pacbrake offers a special lube that will withstand the heat... . engine oil will burn and cake to the shaft causing more problems... When you pacbrake was installed... if done by one of its distributors should have been lubed for life..... the nitrate finish with the lube has kept our 00 F550 exhaust brake working now for 350K miles... .



Hope these help... if you need additional help... e-mail me at -- email address removed --



Jim

 

[Buffalo]

jelag,



Hi! Do you know if installing a Pacbrake, or any other exhaust brake on an '03, HO, 6-sp. will void the warranty or have any effect on the warranty?



I've been considering one of the "new" Pacbrake's (don't remember the model designation). Do you recommend the one that mounts on the turbo or one that mounts in down the exhaust pipe? I've heard that if you, possibly, plan on upgrading the turbo, the "inline" brake is the one to get.



Any thoughts would be appreciated.



Thank you.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[jelag]

I used to have the page in my 01 owners manual copied that said something like this... . if you tow... . the use of an exhaust brake will enhance the ability of the truck to slow down or stop when going down hills... .



The use of an exhaust brake has been approved by CAT, Cummins, IH and others for use on their engines.....



If you intend to upgrade the turbo or exhaust the inline brake might be the right choice for you..... but remember that the farther away from the turbo the more chance of a leak... . and the longer its going to take to come up to full backpressure... ... for that reason I don't suggest the inline brake unless other modifications will follow...



The PXRB has been introduced in the CAT, Cummins, IH market of mid range engines that can't handle an engine brake... . and soon will be available for the direct mount Dodge Cummins... .



Jim

 

[TCDiesel]

Another good reason for the Direct Mount( if keeping Stock Turbo) is the Future implications. Customer demanded One for His 6. 0 2003,I would sell it But would not install it,He purchase it and had it install at some other dealer ,When His TQshift failed and dealer did the warranty work They had to Drop his exhaust Because the Brake was installed to closely to the Trans to remove it,Also the installing dealer welded all the joints brake forward for safety reasons. The Tech was trying to remove the Trans and Broke the Brakes Housing. Dealer did the trans work and had customer Pick up vehicle with out the exhaust install... The Owner of the vehicle stop By at the Auto show and mention it to Me.

 

[DCaswell]

daytripper mine is doing the same thing, got about 85k on the brake & love it but the fluctuations in actuation are starting to get annoying. Going to go to a registered dealer & get it looked at.

 

[SRadke]

My inline has a couple of v-band clamps on either side of the brake, seems it would be quite easy to remove it if need be. Course I do have lot more room down there to work with than a Powerstroke



-Scott

 

[TCDiesel]

My inline has a couple of v-band clamps on either side of the brake, seems it would be quite easy to remove it if need be. Course I do have lot more room down there to work with than a Powerstroke



-Scott

I have left so Much skin and Blood on transmissions and exhaust work on the 6. 0 TQshift. The engineers that Design it should have to work on it... ... . They would find some new words in their vocabulary...