Air suspension has failed again

[Tcollis]

Good afternoon, happy new year.

My air suspension has gone again and I am after some advice please. My garage fitted a new compressor in Feb 2020 so under a year old and it was £328 + labour + VAT, so I presume it was a new one.

The front nearside wheel had been making a hissing sound for some time (though I don't cover many miles in the car) and I am wondering whether one of the individual air struts has been leaking which in turn has over worked the compressor. Do you think this sounds possible? If so do you think my garage would be able to get a new compressor under warranty? If this is not the case is there anything else that might have caused it?

Also do you think I am ok to drive it carefully. It's very low but I seem to recall doing it before and my garage is only a couple of miles away.

Thanks very much,

Tim.

[davidr]

Hi Tim - the compressor is mounted just ahead of the front nearside wheel so I'm wondering if one of the airline connections was either damaged or not fitted properly when you had the compressor changed?

[Tcollis]

Thanks David, if that was the case would this case the compressor to fail? Or do you that this would cause the whole car to drop, i.e. I might get away with a pipe being replaced/reconnected?

Thanks,

Tim

[davidr]

Tim - a leak will cause the pump to have to work harder but if it is fairly new I doubt it would wear it out that quickly.
I'm wondering if one of the pipes or connections is leaking if you're hearing a hissing from that area.
Of course, it could also be the air spring that's leaking.

[ptjs1]

Tim,

Have you removed the second pump and tested it? What makes you think that it has failed? Is it just that the car is not rising up to height? Does the pump run continuously or is it not running at all?

Paul

[J44EAG]

Agree all the above.

If the suspension is down at the front, suspect the sensor on the NS lower front drop arm may have become displaced. Cable tie back on again if this has occured. You should find the car will again rise magnificently to the job.

Yes, air springs do develop leaks. Lift the car by the wheel arch with engine running to see if you can re-create the sound. Duff air spring if that is the case. As Paul says, check that one of the air pipes has not come adrift from the pump.

Mike

[Tcollis]

Thank you all for your replies, it's really appreciated.

No pump not tested yet, it's off to the garage on Thursday. The car is at it's lowest height all the way round and it sounds like the pump is not running at all. The hissing noise has also stopped.

I am hoping it's not too expensive a job, but I know it's one of these cars Achilles heel's. As the car is now 18 years old and 211k miles it's reasonable to have to maintain as required. I got the car for a song and priced in these sort of costs going forward, so hopefully it will soon be resolved and I can get back behind the wheel. It's not quite the same driving our other car a Fiat 500!

Cheers,

Tim.

[ptjs1]

Tim,

Good luck with the diagnosis. Although I guess the new pump could have completely failed, my experience is that they tend to wear on the seal more often rather than just fail. I wonder if its something more simple such as the relay or relief valve or a failed sensor confusing the system that its already at correct height.

Good luck

Paul

[Tcollis]

Good afternoon,

Just a quick update from me. It was very good news. Just the mega fuse which apparently covers the compressor. It was £49 to diagnose and find it, and £3.50 for the fuse. All sorted and back on the road for me. Well, as soon as lockdown is over.

Cheers,

Tim.

[ptjs1]

Good news Tim!

Nice to hear a simple solution is the answer sometimes!

Cheers

Paul

[davidr]

Good news! a simple (and cheap!) fix is always welcome!