AirMatic Question
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
AirMatic Question
After hitting the curb I probably won't drive the car until I get a replacement wheel (no use wearing down the spare for no reason) but I came home today and the car decided to lower itself - the rear driver's side seemed almost completely deflated.
I started up the car and it pumped up fine, being cognizant of how long the pump was running. There were no errors on the dash and the raise vehicle button worked fine too. It's been a few hours and it seems to be holding air, I will check tomorrow morning but my question is, is it possible that the lateral impact damaged AirMatic? Would it be the strut or an airline/link? I can't really get under the car for another couple days or drive it until the new wheel is in so any ideas are appreciated. Bills are mounting after the slip up =(.
I started up the car and it pumped up fine, being cognizant of how long the pump was running. There were no errors on the dash and the raise vehicle button worked fine too. It's been a few hours and it seems to be holding air, I will check tomorrow morning but my question is, is it possible that the lateral impact damaged AirMatic? Would it be the strut or an airline/link? I can't really get under the car for another couple days or drive it until the new wheel is in so any ideas are appreciated. Bills are mounting after the slip up =(.
Last edited by AMGAffalterbach; Dec 20, 2012 at 11:22 PM.
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It may just be a very slow leak in a line. Shocks may be ok. Get a spray bottle with soapy water in it and spray around airmatic lines and shocks looking for bubbles.
Last edited by homeofstone; Dec 21, 2012 at 12:19 AM.
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From: usa
w203/01, W204/09
After hitting the curb I probably won't drive the car until I get a replacement wheel (no use wearing down the spare for no reason) but I came home today and the car decided to lower itself - the rear driver's side seemed almost completely deflated.
I started up the car and it pumped up fine, being cognizant of how long the pump was running. There were no errors on the dash and the raise vehicle button worked fine too. It's been a few hours and it seems to be holding air, I will check tomorrow morning but my question is, is it possible that the lateral impact damaged AirMatic? Would it be the strut or an airline/link? I can't really get under the car for another couple days or drive it until the new wheel is in so any ideas are appreciated. Bills are mounting after the slip up =(.
I started up the car and it pumped up fine, being cognizant of how long the pump was running. There were no errors on the dash and the raise vehicle button worked fine too. It's been a few hours and it seems to be holding air, I will check tomorrow morning but my question is, is it possible that the lateral impact damaged AirMatic? Would it be the strut or an airline/link? I can't really get under the car for another couple days or drive it until the new wheel is in so any ideas are appreciated. Bills are mounting after the slip up =(.
By your writing, it has not been low or flat before. There is a coincidence if not a correlation.
Regardless, It should never be low, except maybe if it has been sitting for a vary long time--which it has not.
So, the assumption is that there is a leak, and you will be fine for a while, until the pump dies because the pump will continue to keep it inflated until it can no longer.
And you have already indicated that the pump ran a long time. Sometimes extreme cold can cause a premature failure with an accident, but Colorado hasn't been that cold so far.
I had a talk with my Service Writer asking about the frequency and type of problems to expect with AirMatics. And his reply was; "the the real problem, when there is one, is the owner just lets the pump maintain pressure (upon observation of a low fender) until the pump dies and the owner is stranded and with a larger bill."
So, I'd take it in myself.
-Alan
Ps. And it would be great to hear of the final analysis and resolution.
Last edited by alanedinger; Dec 21, 2012 at 12:09 AM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
Thank you both very much, puts me at ease a little bit. It is a very slow leak as you said since it takes over 26-28 hours for it to lower a few inches.
Alan, you're very correct it's never been low before and I am 100% sure it is related to the accident and it should definitely never have this issue. I searched the forums and another gentleman mentioned after hitting a curb he had a leak too but never mentioned the cause. It has been quite cold here actually, got down to below freezing almost every night and snowed a decent amount in certain areas. The pump didn't run that long but I was just making sure it wouldn't, as you're correct I definitely don't want that to happened so I'll make sure I don't let it run long. I will definitely take it in already made an appointment but I was just wondering how bad it COULD be, can't be sure though without diagnosis - I'll be sure to update you.
Thanks.
Alan, you're very correct it's never been low before and I am 100% sure it is related to the accident and it should definitely never have this issue. I searched the forums and another gentleman mentioned after hitting a curb he had a leak too but never mentioned the cause. It has been quite cold here actually, got down to below freezing almost every night and snowed a decent amount in certain areas. The pump didn't run that long but I was just making sure it wouldn't, as you're correct I definitely don't want that to happened so I'll make sure I don't let it run long. I will definitely take it in already made an appointment but I was just wondering how bad it COULD be, can't be sure though without diagnosis - I'll be sure to update you.
Thanks.
Last edited by AMGAffalterbach; Dec 21, 2012 at 12:27 AM.
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Thank you both very much, puts me at ease a little bit. It is a very slow leak as you said since it takes over 26-28 hours for it to lower a few inches.
Alan, you're very correct it's never been low before and I am 100% sure it is related to the accident and it should definitely never have this issue. I searched the forums and another gentleman mentioned after hitting a curb he had a leak too but never mentioned the cause. It has been quite cold here actually, got down to below freezing almost every night and snowed a decent amount in certain areas. The pump didn't run that long but I was just making sure it wouldn't, as you're correct I definitely don't want that to happened so I'll make sure I don't let it run long. I will definitely take it in already made an appointment but I was just wondering how bad it COULD be, can't be sure though without diagnosis - I'll be sure to update you.
Thanks.
Alan, you're very correct it's never been low before and I am 100% sure it is related to the accident and it should definitely never have this issue. I searched the forums and another gentleman mentioned after hitting a curb he had a leak too but never mentioned the cause. It has been quite cold here actually, got down to below freezing almost every night and snowed a decent amount in certain areas. The pump didn't run that long but I was just making sure it wouldn't, as you're correct I definitely don't want that to happened so I'll make sure I don't let it run long. I will definitely take it in already made an appointment but I was just wondering how bad it COULD be, can't be sure though without diagnosis - I'll be sure to update you.
Thanks.
Parking in the airport for 2 weeks I dont' even notice mine low anywhere but then I do have new front struts, new rear air springs, new rear shocks and new compressor. I have been through the ringer on the airmatic.
