New Owner, E500
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: CT
2005 E 500
New Owner, E500
So I got a 2005 E500 4matic sedan at a good deal. There are some issues that we need to address, but for what I got the car for, I don't mind spending the money to get it right, what I don't want to start doing is dumping money unnecessarily, and for that reason I have been reading this forum trying to educate myself on these cars.
I come from the "Honda" crowd, but it was time to grow up. I have a very good Independent shop that does all my work, but I want to know what's going on with my cars.
Anyhow, the first issue, when I first got the car, we knew that one airbag or something had a very slow leak. When running, it would rise up like normal, and all the height settings and such would work, parked overnight was ok, It would take the car a couple of days parked before it hit the ground (both sides). The other day, while in the gas station, my wife says that she heard a hiss and the bottom dropped out, to the point the warning "car too low" came on. Luckily, she was a couple of blocks away and got he car home, and she's been sitting there ever since.
What I'm trying to figure out is if I'm going to shell out the $800 for both airbags from arnott? or if we should be looking at something else first.
Thank you in advance
I come from the "Honda" crowd, but it was time to grow up. I have a very good Independent shop that does all my work, but I want to know what's going on with my cars.
Anyhow, the first issue, when I first got the car, we knew that one airbag or something had a very slow leak. When running, it would rise up like normal, and all the height settings and such would work, parked overnight was ok, It would take the car a couple of days parked before it hit the ground (both sides). The other day, while in the gas station, my wife says that she heard a hiss and the bottom dropped out, to the point the warning "car too low" came on. Luckily, she was a couple of blocks away and got he car home, and she's been sitting there ever since.
What I'm trying to figure out is if I'm going to shell out the $800 for both airbags from arnott? or if we should be looking at something else first.
Thank you in advance
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,224
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Welcome to W211.
Airmatic is very complex system with no feedback to the drivers, so DIY troubleshooting takes lot of patience.
2 bags failing at the same time is not likely, so most likely you have leak in the system.
Did the bags drop down with ignition on?
Read existing topics on subject what will help you in understanding principals.
Airmatic is very complex system with no feedback to the drivers, so DIY troubleshooting takes lot of patience.
2 bags failing at the same time is not likely, so most likely you have leak in the system.
Did the bags drop down with ignition on?
Read existing topics on subject what will help you in understanding principals.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 68
From: Athens, GA USA
2011 E63, 2011 Hyundai Genesis 4.6 v8, 2013 GMC Denali XL, 1965 Ford Mustang, 2005 Merc. E500
May just be air line leak. Try spraying bags and lines with soapy water and look for bubbles while system has pressure going.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: CT
2005 E 500
Thank you for the reply.
the car stays like that when you turn the engine on. you hear the compressor kick in and function, but the car just won't rise. is obvious that either a bag failed, or there is a leak on the line.
I want to change both airstruts because I rather make the repair one time, when one goes so will the other and for an extra 400 I might as well do them both and get it over with.
the car stays like that when you turn the engine on. you hear the compressor kick in and function, but the car just won't rise. is obvious that either a bag failed, or there is a leak on the line.
I want to change both airstruts because I rather make the repair one time, when one goes so will the other and for an extra 400 I might as well do them both and get it over with.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,224
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
And again, sounds like you have problem with compressor side, not bag side.
Soapy water is cheap troubleshooting, while $15 compressor rebuild kit will make good start in restoring the system.
You can always drop big bucks in the car later.
Soapy water is cheap troubleshooting, while $15 compressor rebuild kit will make good start in restoring the system.
You can always drop big bucks in the car later.
