Sticky lexair valve

[Ric]

I have an on going problem with a lex air solenoid valve on my under body wash. The issue seems to be in the air plunger end of the valve. The valve sticks, I take it apart , wipe out the plunger etc., apply the green grease from lex air and it's fine for a month or so. Then, repeat the process. The lex air solenoid for the main wash has never given me a problem. These valves are expensive (rebuild kit alone is about $100) but before I go and replace the entire thing I thought I would ask if any of you have run into a similar problem and found a fix.

 

[MEP001]

I've had the same problem, and after far too many times with one failing closed I replaced it. The replacement only lasted about two years, so I worked out a way to eliminate it. I was never successful in cleaning and lubricating it or rebuilding it and having it work for more than a month afterward. It was always a valve to the inlet of the pump, and having it stick closed was simply unacceptable.

 

[ken-pro]

Ric,

The problem may not be the Lexair valve, but the MAC solenoid valve (Blue block with air lines running to the Lexair valve) - I have seen this happen on a couple of customer's machines - Moist or dirty air causes corrosion inside the MAC valve, and the valve fails to switch over.

Depending on how old your machine is, Washworld does have a newer style Lexair valve (Larger aluminum cap with four allen key screws in it). These have been a lot more reliable than the old style valves (Small aluminum cap with no screws)

 

[Bud]

On the side of the Mac valve should be a small button that can be pressed to activate the Lex airs. Also, could the air pressure have something to do with the frequent failures as I know if the pressure is not high enough they will not operate properly. Some years back PDQ increased the reccomended pressure for the valves.

 

[koliver]

That is correct Bud. Air pressure should be 10% of your High Pressure function (1100 psi = 110 psi). Around 80 psi or less, the valves tend to chatter on occasion.