Compressor shot

[pegasus1300]

I took Charlotte to the dealer (High Country Power Sports in Salt Lake City) for some work and I asked them to calibrate the auto suspension along with all the other stuff.In the process of trying to do that they discovered that the compressor was shot. I remember at some point reading about someone else here with a limited with a bad compressor who found and aftermarket one for far less money. I can't find that thread. Does anyone remember that thread and who it was. I have a Zephyr warranty but not sure if it will cover the compressor. Anybody have any ideas.

 

[spacetiger]

As you weigh your options going forward, you might want to consider a stiffer rear spring. My experience with a 2012 RTS led me down a path of installing stiffer rear spring so I didn't need the air suspension. After the spring change, I ran the bag at the lowest setting.

Here is the thread on the spring change: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?61674-2012-RT-S-SE5-Rear-Suspension-(shock)

Jerry

 

[finless]

Here is the after market compressor. Way better than the POS stock compressor and fits right in. Just have to solder on the BRP connector.

Bob

 

[pegasus1300]

Thanks Bob

That is the information I was looking for. I am going to call my warranty company this morning but if they wont cover it I'll be going this way.

Jerry thank you for the spring idea. I did not know there was that option and may very well do that as well.

I can pump up the shock thru the Schrader valve bur\t since the Limited came with this I would like to keep everything working if I can.

 

[finless]

FYI if you feel like tinkering.....

Most of the failures of the stock pump are due to the motor brushes wearing out. They can be replaced.
There was a post here about a year ago of a guy that did it and as I recall it had picture or a video.

Bob

 

[Chupaca]

Getting common...

have seen a lot and once on the way back from SITR I stopped to see if I could help one of BRP's ambassador parker on the side of the road with his wife. Come to find he had to stop every number of miles and pull out a tire pump (compresso) and give the suspension a boost. Said they have been working on it for some time and it was not the first one to go bad...I think finless has the solution if your out of warranty...:banghead:

 

[pegasus1300]

Chupaca that experience would also seem to indicate that he has an airbag leak as well. Mine holds air just fine it just wont pump up only by hand.

 

[machead]

I have a '14 RT LTD (9k on it) that we got in July '14.

Last month on a long trip back home, the rear shock would not any air. Noticed it when we would hit a bump and we could hear and feel something scraping. I could put air in via the valve under the seat and you could see the back end raise up but with the two of on it, the air quickly left the shock empty again. Wife got to ride the rest of the way home with another Spyder pilot. With just me on the Spyder the rear shock would stay pumped up bit longer but after a hour or so it would be empty again.

During all of this, trying to use the switch to harden/soften the suspension would result in an error stating to use the manual air.

So when we got back home, took her to the shop and the tech came back with the news that the compressor needed to be replaced. Of course everytime I have needed anything that came from BRP results in a 10 business day delivery from Canada.

Anyway the compressor was replaced under warranty and all is well now. Although I'm not sure why a broken compressor would make the shock lose its air. Maybe someone here can edumakate me on it.

--Allen

 

[spacetiger]

I have a '14 RT LTD (9k on it) that we got in July '14.

Last month on a long trip back home, the rear shock would not any air. Noticed it when we would hit a bump and we could hear and feel something scraping. I could put air in via the valve under the seat and you could see the back end raise up but with the two of on it, the air quickly left the shock empty again. Wife got to ride the rest of the way home with another Spyder pilot. With just me on the Spyder the rear shock would stay pumped up bit longer but after a hour or so it would be empty again.

During all of this, trying to use the switch to harden/soften the suspension would result in an error stating to use the manual air.

So when we got back home, took her to the shop and the tech came back with the news that the compressor needed to be replaced. Of course everytime I have needed anything that came from BRP results in a 10 business day delivery from Canada.

Anyway the compressor was replaced under warranty and all is well now. Although I'm not sure why a broken compressor would make the shock lose its air. Maybe someone here can edumakate me on it.

--Allen

Allen,

You may have it backwards. There maybe an airbag leak causing the pump to run all the time. Eventually, the pump, not designed to run but so many hours, fails. That is how you end up with a bad compressor + deflated air bag for the rear suspension.

Just a guess.

Jerry

 

[pegasus1300]

But if the bag leaks the air will go to the atmosphere and the compressor will continue to run or run more often then it should.

 

[Roadster Renovations]

Rear Spring Stiffeners

We have had issues with the compressor working harder than I thought it should. We added two rear spring stiffeners and it has helped to stop the pump from working so hard. Well worth the $50 for a 1/2 set in my opinion.

Here is a link:
http://dochumphreys.wix.com/roadster#!products/cdk6

 

[finless]

Allen,

You may have it backwards. There maybe an airbag leak causing the pump to run all the time. Eventually, the pump, not designed to run but so many hours, fails. That is how you end up with a bad compressor + deflated air bag for the rear suspension.

Just a guess.

Jerry

+100, I think some people that are seeing a compressor fail many times has a leak and thus the compressor wears out fast!
I think some dealers find a bad compressor, replace it, but does not check for leaks.

As PMK said, you should not leak air just sitting there with the Spyder off as the compressor has a check valve. A way to test if you have a leak is to park the Spyder and check the pressure with the valve under the seat. Wait about 8 hrs and see what it reads again. If it dropped significantly, you have a leak and that will wear out the compressor.

Bob

 

[pegasus1300]

I got hold of Zurich,the people who issued my extended warranty and since the compressor in NOT on the list of exempted systems they will repair it. I will have to pay a $50.00 deductible. I just have to get it to the dealer and he will call Zurich for the authorization and off we go. I will make sure they check the bag for leaks.

If it goes out again I think I will bypass the warranty and use the VIAIR compressor that Bob found. Thanks for the info Bob.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all and thank you for your help.

 

[Snowbelt Spyder]

Compressor check valve

I got hold of Zurich,the people who issued my extended warranty and since the compressor in NOT on the list of exempted systems they will repair it. I will have to pay a $50.00 deductible. I just have to get it to the dealer and he will call Zurich for the authorization and off we go. I will make sure they check the bag for leaks.

If it goes out again I think I will bypass the warranty and use the VIAIR compressor that Bob found. Thanks for the info Bob.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all and thank you for your help.

I just went through this whole ordeal this summer, too. In the case of the OEM compressor, the check valve is a separate part that screws onto the outlet fitting. A new one won't come with the new compressor. In my case, the system wasn't holding air so I requested a new one just because. So, if you want a new one to go along with your new compressor you'll have to ask for it. About 30 bucks.

 

[cptjam]

Timely!

We have run across quite a few bad shock/compressors lately. Bob, you are my hero! Great find!!! Finless rules!! Joe