5788 Air Horns-gctid806727

[MerlinV]

The air horns on our 5788 are not working. The horns are model Fiamm A-23, and I can hear the compressor running, which sounds to be somewhere above the headlining in the pilothouse roof. Headlinings are my nemesis, and the thought of trying to remove and reinstall it makes my blood run cold.

Does anyone know if there's any access to the compressor through the upper dash, or is it too far in to reach?

[Guest]

If you hear the compressor, the problem is probably with the horns themselves. Here is my post from a few years ago that should help...

UPDATE January 14, 2015. The U.S. outlet is Carquest, 423 North Mitchell, Cadillac, MI, 49601. Phone is (231) 775-9772. I spoke with Ted. The FIAMM Part number is 21340 for the Toronado horn repair kit. I ordered three single repair kits (one for a spare). $52.10 including shipping. The company I ordered from before sent me the wrong kit.

To repair the air horns:

1. Carefully remove the rear plate by unscrewing the three screws (Phillips head) that hold the rear on. Keep one hand under the horn, as there is a round metal "button" that will fall out when you remove the screws.

2. Remove the back round plate, the rubber gasket, the round mylar membrane and the round "button."

3. Thoroughly clean the rubber gasket, mylar membrane and all the metal pieces.

4. Reinstall and tighten up the three screws. Here is the order, in case you forgot: rear plate > rubber gasket > metal "button" with dimple facing towards the rear > mylar membrane > horn.

Rob

[Guest]

And here's my how-to video...

https://youtu.be/grcoEV-D0Y0

[Omega]

Hey there Merlin,

I had a similar issue with my 4588. I could hear the compressor, so I decided I was going to follow Rob's video. It was really helpful. As I was gathering the parts for the horns I decided to check the hose from the compressor to the horns. That's when I found a crack in my hose that leaked air. I replaced that section to see if it would work and it did, so I replaced the hose and it worked from there... I'm not sure the routing of the hoses on the 5788, though.

Not sure it that's the issue, but thought it might be of interest....

Good luck,

BJ

OMEGA

5788

[MerlinV]

After watching Rob's video, I couldn't wait to take a look inside of the air horns, particularly if there was a chance that ithe problem was with the trumpets rather than the air compressor. I don't even know where the compressor is mounted.

The insides of the trumpets were dirty, and once the back covers were removed there were some signs of corrosion, but the diaphragms were intact, as were the gaskets after removal. After cleaning and reassembling everything, it was time to try them out. At first, the sound was like a wounded animal, but as Rob said in the video, you have to spend time making slight adjustments to the tuning screws, and eventually, they sounded like real horns again.

Way to go Rob!

[Guest]

Glad to hear it worked out! Maybe we could get BOCers to make videos as they do repairs and improvements. It can be easier to understand than a multi-page write up.