Airmatic suspension question
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 64
From: Dartmouth, MA
1967 250SE, 2022 GLC300 2023 EQB300, 2018 AMG GT
Airmatic suspension question
Hello,
I am looking for some help in finding a solution.
My 211, if it sits for 4 days the rear goes down about 1.5" equally on both sides. It doesn't go down if it sits only one or two days.
I am baffled by the fact that only the rear goes down and not the front. I have analyzed the pneumatic schematic and it appears that there are only individual valves inside each spring and a general valve at the pump.
However in the system there is enough pressure, when I open the door (I wake up the system) the rear is being pushed up by what is stored in the reservoir only, the pump doesn't turn on.
It appears that I have some small leaks equally in the rear springs only.
Is there anybody else that has been through this?
I find it surprising that both rear springs have small leaks at the same time. If there was a leak somewhere else like the lines or the rear tee then the front springs should have been down too and the reservoir empty. Or maybe there is a valve separating the rear from the front and it's not shown on the schematic?
Thanks
I am looking for some help in finding a solution.
My 211, if it sits for 4 days the rear goes down about 1.5" equally on both sides. It doesn't go down if it sits only one or two days.
I am baffled by the fact that only the rear goes down and not the front. I have analyzed the pneumatic schematic and it appears that there are only individual valves inside each spring and a general valve at the pump.
However in the system there is enough pressure, when I open the door (I wake up the system) the rear is being pushed up by what is stored in the reservoir only, the pump doesn't turn on.
It appears that I have some small leaks equally in the rear springs only.
Is there anybody else that has been through this?
I find it surprising that both rear springs have small leaks at the same time. If there was a leak somewhere else like the lines or the rear tee then the front springs should have been down too and the reservoir empty. Or maybe there is a valve separating the rear from the front and it's not shown on the schematic?
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Hello,
I am looking for some help in finding a solution.
My 211, if it sits for 4 days the rear goes down about 1.5" equally on both sides. It doesn't go down if it sits only one or two days.
I am baffled by the fact that only the rear goes down and not the front. I have analyzed the pneumatic schematic and it appears that there are only individual valves inside each spring and a general valve at the pump.
However in the system there is enough pressure, when I open the door (I wake up the system) the rear is being pushed up by what is stored in the reservoir only, the pump doesn't turn on.
It appears that I have some small leaks equally in the rear springs only.
Is there anybody else that has been through this?
I find it surprising that both rear springs have small leaks at the same time. If there was a leak somewhere else like the lines or the rear tee then the front springs should have been down too and the reservoir empty. Or maybe there is a valve separating the rear from the front and it's not shown on the schematic?
Thanks
I am looking for some help in finding a solution.
My 211, if it sits for 4 days the rear goes down about 1.5" equally on both sides. It doesn't go down if it sits only one or two days.
I am baffled by the fact that only the rear goes down and not the front. I have analyzed the pneumatic schematic and it appears that there are only individual valves inside each spring and a general valve at the pump.
However in the system there is enough pressure, when I open the door (I wake up the system) the rear is being pushed up by what is stored in the reservoir only, the pump doesn't turn on.
It appears that I have some small leaks equally in the rear springs only.
Is there anybody else that has been through this?
I find it surprising that both rear springs have small leaks at the same time. If there was a leak somewhere else like the lines or the rear tee then the front springs should have been down too and the reservoir empty. Or maybe there is a valve separating the rear from the front and it's not shown on the schematic?
Thanks
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 64
From: Dartmouth, MA
1967 250SE, 2022 GLC300 2023 EQB300, 2018 AMG GT
Thank you vettdvr for your reply. I know about the accumulator (I called it reservoir). I removed the panel several times when I changed the shock. However the accumulator appears to be connected to the entire system so a leak there should bring the front springs down too (I think). In my experience a leak in the spring bellows would be a hole deflating the hole system very fast. If the springs are about 3" in diameter that means that they lost about 20 cubic inches in 96 hours. That's 0.2 cubic inches per hour, it looks like a connector or a valve leak. It still leads to a leak being present on connectors at both rear springs. This means that I may have to work on both. The problem is that it's a pain in the butt to work under the car even to spray soap solution to find the leak. The dealer would try to take apart the car (as instructed by WIS) and charge a few thousands for that.
If the rear air splitter would have a small ball and spring in it as a check valve it would explain all. N fortunately it doesn't show on the schematic.
If the rear air splitter would have a small ball and spring in it as a check valve it would explain all. N fortunately it doesn't show on the schematic.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
2003 Mercedes E500 W211
CHECK THE BLOCK VALVE!!
I have changed EVERY POSSIBLE THING on the airmatic on my e500 and the car still sits on the ground sometimes and goes down unevenly. I have spent over $6,000.00 in repairs for this damn car. I've changed all four airmatic shocks, all four standard shocks, the airmatic pump. That is the WHOLE suspension. The only thing left is the block valve and now i'm thinking that the block valve might have been the issue from the start. So before you make any major repairs, change the block valve and check for leaks. Could save you major $$$ in repairs.
GOOD LUCK! I hope you don't have my luck!
I have changed EVERY POSSIBLE THING on the airmatic on my e500 and the car still sits on the ground sometimes and goes down unevenly. I have spent over $6,000.00 in repairs for this damn car. I've changed all four airmatic shocks, all four standard shocks, the airmatic pump. That is the WHOLE suspension. The only thing left is the block valve and now i'm thinking that the block valve might have been the issue from the start. So before you make any major repairs, change the block valve and check for leaks. Could save you major $$$ in repairs.
GOOD LUCK! I hope you don't have my luck!
