Popping sounds from Winnebago

[dshinnick]

Hello all-
Ok, we have a 2015 Itasca (Winnebago) Sunstar with just several thousand miles. Really good condition.

A few months after buying it, when we were staying for several months at a park we began to hear popping sounds that seemed to come from the jacks, like they were slipping a bit. And with each pop the coach would shudder just a bit; so we could feel as well as hear it. I called the jack mfr and was told that, yes, that can happen, the seals that surround each jack can dry out, and to drain the hydraulic fluid from the jack system enough to add a quart of "anti-stiction" fluid, which we did six months ago. As I remember the noise stopped for a few days after doing that, then started again.

Even though we're again parked long-term now I did bring the slides in and re-leveled the coach a few weeks ago. The noise stopped for a few days, then started again. And it's maddening; it can happen every few seconds for awhile, then stop for a few hours, then start again. And walking into or out of the coach *may* trigger it; I'm not completely certain.

I called LCI and they said they obviously can't diagnose it over the phone, it really could be a myriad of things, and to try the anti-stiction again.

I'm going to do the anti-stiction fluid treatment again, during which I'll re-level, and I'm guessing the noise will clear up for awhile. But I thought I'd run it by the forum. Anyone else have this problem? Any thoughts or ideas how to address it long-term? Could it be coming from something other than the jacks? Hard to tell just by listening.

Thanks-

Dave

[MountainAir05]

They are self bleeding. There is a cap on the pump hydro system that has a vent in it.

[dshinnick]

I can believe that. I'd like to know how to purge air out of the system. I can absolutely see that as the cause.

[Horsedoc]

We bought a new Itasca Horizon in 2001 and it did the same thing. I was told was/is air in the hydraylic lines and as it worked it's way out, the rig would settle. It did stop making these noises after a few months. I think the longest we stayed in one spot was a couple of months, soo I really cannot relate to being set up longer than that.

[johnhicks]

It can happen with jacks and it can also happen with side walls in sunshine. No big deal.

[dshinnick]

Ok. I'll look there. Thanks.

[MountainAir05]

So does the jacks leak down back into the system or leak and flow out to the ground. You should have valves that hold the pressure to the jack till you hit down/store. If they are leaking then you would not be loosing fluid, just loosing level. Should be a troubleshoot manual for the model jacks that you have so that you can follow the steps.

[Lwiddis]

Level the old fashioned way with blocks?

[Timothy2001]

Well good luck to you, hope you get it fixed.

[dshinnick]

Not like this. Popping every few seconds for minutes at a time while no one is even in the coach? We full-timed for five years in a diesel and never heard noises like this.

[Timothy2001]

Jacks or not, with all the moving parts attached to the chassis I expect to hear some pops or creaking especially when I get up in the morning and walk my 200 lbs over to the coffee pot.

That’s not to say there is nothing wrong but I ignore it as the coach stays level.

[dshinnick]

way2roll wrote:
Are you sure it's the jacks and not the chassis suspension settling?

Actually, no, I'm not sure. Not sure how to tell. Though if it does stop for a few days after leveling, that seems to me to indicate jacks.

[way2roll]

Are you sure it's the jacks and not the chassis suspension settling?

[MountainAir05]

Can't help you on the stuff you are mixing with the hydraulic fluid but I assume you are using Red hydraulic fluid or transmission fluid. Put some in a spray bottle and while you have the jacks all the way extended spray them from top to bottom and retract them. Do this several times and see if helps. I don't have your brand but they use Red hydraulic fluid and I spray them down. Use a clean cloth once you get them lube and wipe down the piston. Do this once a week before you retract them and they should last a very long time.

It might be time to flush your system and put in some new fluid. The seals do dry out so yes they need some clean fluid on them regularly .

I Just check their web site and they use hydraulic fluid so you could try a full synthetic transmission fluid of your choice and you should see some good results.

[wrgrs50s]

It's a common issue with the Lippert Jacks. Some seem worse than others and as far as I know there has yet to be a satisfactory fix other than the stiction fluid. There are several brand options for the fluid, maybe a different brand might work better. Some report that they notice the problem more with temperature changes.