I just had to let everyone know what happened. I have a Pac Brake that I installed about 8 months ago and everything was working great untill today. I was heading home from cutting wood in the mountains and my exhaust brake was sticking shut. I have the ECM connection, so no micro switch. I would stick for a few seconds or more then release after I was on the throttle. EGT's would sky rocket. Made it difficult to drive but at least it worked closed so I had an exhaust brake with the trailer I was towing. Funny thing is it worked fine while I was driving slow, like in traffic. Well after I got home I looked around for a leaking hose or something obvious but nothing, so I called Pac Brake. I talked to a tech person who took a few minutes to run through some options that described my problems. I told him that I ALWAYS use the exhaust brake so carbon couldnt be an issue. He had me check a couple of things and then determined that the butterfly in the housing must have slipped. The tolerances are so close that when it heats up the butterfly touches the side causing it to stick. Then not even hesitating he says I will throw a new one in the mail, next day air. When I get it I will change it out and send the old one back. VERY COOL! I was expecting a big long delay of "send the old, we will look at it and fix it then send it back". This way I wont have any down time. They will definitely get my repeat business.

 

There are few companies that will do that. Did they recommend anything in terms of maintenance??? My brake was installed on my truck when I got it and Ive never heard of any type of preventive maintenance...Is there anything to routinely do??

 

PacBrake has GREAT customer service. I originally bought a 'brake from a 24V'r on TDR. Spoke with Pac on a couple of occasions to ensure that it would work on my truck with little modification.

I ended up with the brake and Pac put me in touch with a vendor/wharehouse close by because I need a 12V wiring harness and the micro switch.

After all of that OUTSTANDING customer service I ended up selling the Pac after attending Scheid's rally I got bitten by the bombing bug again and knew that the brake couldn't stay.

If I ever get into a situation/job where I need and Exhaust brake for my CTD you can bet money on who I order from! ;D

 

That's nice to hear a story like that.

I know pacbrake is always trying to improve their products, and recently have been putting on a coat of something (I forget right now!) on the inside of their brakes to help prevent sticking...

I have the Cummins e brake, but would have no qualms about owning a pacbrake.

 

The only real maintenance you can do for your exhaust brake is to use it on a regular basis. If you dont you will begin to build up carbon in the housing. The carbon eventually becomes hard and causes the butterfly to stick. This is as much as I know. If you have an older unit maybe there is some kind of lubricating you can do.