willdudeuk
Member Since: 13 Jan 2021
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 16
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Air Suspension - Fault Light on Dash - Suspected leak? |
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Hi Disco3 forum users,
Please can you advise on help with an air suspension fault light on the dashboard.
Unfortunately I haven’t had a diagnostic scan so can’t supply any fault codes....
I am used to German cars of the VAG group so only have VCDS / VAG COM diagnostic equipment and don’t have access to IDS.
Is best thing to get it scanned before we proceed with diagnosing issue?
The air suspension fault light comes on intermittently and is cleared when the vehicle is turned off and on again.
When I looked at the vehicle this morning all 4 corners of the car were very low.....are they supposed to stay at the correct ride height you left it in?
I understand the vehicle has “access” mode and self levels to terrain it is parked on.
Today I have parked the car up and raised the suspension to the highest setting using the interior switch by the gear selector. I then took measurements of each corner / air suspension unit from the centre wheel cap to the top of the wheel arch for reference.
In 24hrs time I will take measurements again to see if any have gone down....
If some have gone down in height (suspect a leak??) does this suggest bad air suspension strut / air bag leaking or could it be the front or rear valve block leaking?
Let me know if you require anymore information regarding the vehicle or the problem itself.
Thanks
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13th Jan 2021 7:01 pm |
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aechambira
Member Since: 11 Jan 2016
Location: Nairobi
Posts: 117
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Also remove Fuse 26 it's in engine bay fuse box next to battery.
Then wait and see which side drops.
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13th Jan 2021 7:32 pm |
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willdudeuk
Member Since: 13 Jan 2021
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 16
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Thank aechambira appreciate your comments.
Is this the fuse in the engine bay? If it’s not removed it will just self level?
So once I’ve removed that and wait until the morning.....what will that suggest?
If one side is lower, both sides, all corners etc....
I’ve seen it is common for air bags to fail / leak / perish....
Or valve blocks?
Or just replacing the connections o rings can resolve it?
I did spray with soapy water (air lines / connectors on top of struts) but couldn’t see any foaming / bubbles....
Thanks
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13th Jan 2021 7:43 pm |
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willdudeuk
Member Since: 13 Jan 2021
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 16
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Removed F26 (20amp yellow blade fuse) and taken measurements at each corner....
FL 530mm FR 510mm
RL 605mm RR 565mm
We shall see what they are tomorrow morning.
Appreciate your help.
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13th Jan 2021 8:07 pm |
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willdudeuk
Member Since: 13 Jan 2021
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 16
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Well only after a couple of hours and the front two (FL & FR) measurements have gone down by 30mm (FL) and 25mm (FR).
FL 500mm FR 485mm
RL 605mm RR 565mm
Does that mean it’s the airbags leaking or the block valve?
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13th Jan 2021 10:27 pm |
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Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10549
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Valve block more likely
And seals cheaper !
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13th Jan 2021 11:02 pm |
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willdudeuk
Member Since: 13 Jan 2021
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 16
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Thanks for your reply Pete K!
So can you can replace the seals in the valve block?
After doing some reading....Duckworths and Island4x4 do them for a good price.
Or is it better just to buy OEM?
Where can you buy the valve block seals from? That the cheapest option?
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13th Jan 2021 11:16 pm |
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willdudeuk
Member Since: 13 Jan 2021
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 16
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So an update with the measurements.....
FL 445mm (-85mm) FR 450mm (-60mm)
RL 600mm (-5mm) RR 575mm (+10mm)
There is clearly an issue with the front air suspension.
After reinstalling the fuse (F26) and filling up the suspension (into off-road ride height) I decided to have a listen at each corner of the car and hear for any obvious leaks.....
Well....I found that the front right air bag had quite a significant leak which could be heard audibly just getting your ear close to the wheel...then put my hand under the bottom of the airbag and could feel the air rushing out.....
So I’m guessing that airbag is knackered and needs replacing....
But what’s confusing me is that why did both front airbags deflate overnight??
Does that mean the valve block is also knackered....or is the other FRONT LEFT airbag also knackered? I couldn’t hear any obvious leaks from it like the front right.
Open to suggestions.
Also what make / replacement should I get? Arnott?
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14th Jan 2021 2:03 pm |
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willdudeuk
Member Since: 13 Jan 2021
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 16
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Any suggestions why both front airbags are dropping even though only the front right has an obvious air leak when fully inflated (off road position).
Sent an email to Duckworths and a master tech got back in touch with me and gave me some advice.
1.) Check the plastic pipes that run from the front cross link valve under the radiator, I have seem pipes rub through due to build up of dirt etc and rub on chassis.
2.) Failed front cross link valve. Jack suspension right up and disconnect multi plug. I then remove the gallery feed to the valve and install a slave pipe and stick it in some water. If its failed the water will bubble as air from spring escapes past the valve.
Will give these a go tomorrow to see if there are any leaks in the pipe work for the fronts or an internal leak in the check valve.
Guessing if you are replacing suspension components they should be done in pairs?
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14th Jan 2021 8:38 pm |
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Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10549
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Seals are £15 on eBay. There are fine
Not sure there is such a thing as oem seals
The cross valve seal could be leaking. I guess that would explain it.
May as well change the seals.
It could just be a faulty connector at the top of the strut. (Edit oh you say it’s leaking at the bottom)
Have seen it mentioned on here
Worth a closer look with soapy water
A pair seams a sensible idea for ride quality I guess
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14th Jan 2021 10:14 pm |
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willdudeuk
Member Since: 13 Jan 2021
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 16
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So may as well get a set seals for the price really....(seems to have a lot of seals! 40!)
Do you get issues with the reservoir valve block / pressure switch valve solenoid too? (Kit appears to include these too)
Yer it’s definitely leaking....and quite badly. When it’s pressured to the off road position you can hear it coming out clearly from the wheel arch.
Putting my hand at the base of the bag / fold where it meets the strut at the bottom you can feel the air....wouldn’t need to have soapy water to determine this but will double check to make sure.
Can’t hear anything from the other strut.....so guessing that one is ok.....but could be leaking back through the valve block....hence why it’s going down......
Shall purchase the replacement seals and get a pair of air struts.
Fingers crossed the air compressor is good! Though I’ve heard if you find dryer material / dust in the valve
blocks that’s probably why they’ve perished and won’t be long until compressor will need to be replaced.
So guess I will need one of those kits too perhaps if I’m going to overhaul the air suspension system.....but need to identify which compressor I have first.....shall take a search on here for that.
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14th Jan 2021 10:42 pm |
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Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10549
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Sometimes get problems with the middle block. Easy to service
You can service the compressor.
The white dust stops a good seal rather than perish. You can wash the seals but for £15 and a chance of dropping and loosing seals it’s worth £15
You can service the compressor
Bin the white dust.
Microwave the beads
Check cap for cracks
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14th Jan 2021 11:09 pm |
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willdudeuk
Member Since: 13 Jan 2021
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 16
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Which cap are you referring too that can crack? The air dryer cap with the tubes (inlet/outlet?) that come out from it? Sits next to compressor motor?
You can microwave the beads / desiccant that’s continued inside the dryer unit? Can you point me in the right for the guide for this? Will this have dust in it too?
Also you mentioned in your previous post to this that:
Quote:It could just be a faulty connector at the top of the strut. (Edit oh you say it’s leaking at the bottom)
Have seen it mentioned on here
Could you send me the link where you’ve seen this in the forum please.
Thanks
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14th Jan 2021 11:28 pm |
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willdudeuk
Member Since: 13 Jan 2021
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 16
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Hi any luck with the above? Thank you.
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16th Jan 2021 10:05 pm |
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