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Sorry guys, I was told this is where the airmatic experts were in the forum. This was originally posted in the w219 forum...
Ok, guys, here it is. I just replaced my driver side air strut. It blew out on me. It wasn't a hard job but I ran into a couple of things the YouTube video's don't tell you. Maybe because I have the last year on the W219. They never mention 2011, it's always 06-08 and 09-10 then skips to 12-15 for the w218. But anyway, long story short, I installed the air shock, it inflates and it holds when I turn the car off. But for some reason, after sitting for 24 hours, it drops on the same side I put the new air shock on. I spayed soap water on the connector on top where the air plugs in, no leaks there. I didn't spray the boot yet on the air strut, but it's brand new, and it holds for hours after turning the car off. It's got to be bleeding down from a solenoid valve or somewhere in between. What do you guys think?
Is there a legitimate air leak test on the system I can get? I work with Pneumatics at work, and I was thinking of what's all involved. I don't want to get in the habit of buying parts until the problem is fixed. But this valve seems to be where the problem is coming from, judging by how the car holds the air until after the car sit's for half a day. The valve is the only place (that I can think of) that would loose air over time from sitting. Possible bad o-ring or debris in the valve body... Any other spot like the strut or air line or connector, the leak would be more obvious and keep the compressor running. What do you think?
I'm just speaking from 30 years of working on MB. The only thing you can do is spray the valve with soapy water and see if there is a leak. More times than not I've seen valve issues when we couldn't find an obvious air line leak. The only aftermarket brand air strut we'll use at my shop is Arnott as I've seen countless issues with the china made, ebay type struts. If you bought one of those, I'd be looking at the strut again.
I'm just speaking from 30 years of working on MB. The only thing you can do is spray the valve with soapy water and see if there is a leak. More times than not I've seen valve issues when we couldn't find an obvious air line leak. The only aftermarket brand air strut we'll use at my shop is Arnott as I've seen countless issues with the china made, ebay type struts. If you bought one of those, I'd be looking at the strut again.
I hear you. I was just thinking of how it was leaking. The O-rings on each valve are separate to each air strut, and with that being internal, you can't see it without opening the valve. I found a leveling valve for under $300, I said maybe I'd start there first. I think in the end, before I let this nickel and dime me, I might convert to coilovers. I don't want to, but I hate guessing at problems...lol
I might convert to coilovers. I don't want to, but I hate guessing at problems...lol
Unless you want to spend big $$$$ on good coil overs and sway bar kits, I'd fix the airmatic. Going with a budget conversion like strutmasters you will be disappointed in ride and handling. We've put lots of those kits on at customers request and not many of them are happy overall with the conversion. The airmatic works well when its operating correctly.
Have someone with MB diagnostics pull fault codes. No codes, pressurize system (each front strut & rear air spring) in an attempt to identify faulty internals. See attachment for a better understanding.
Have someone with MB diagnostics pull fault codes. No codes, pressurize system (each front strut & rear air spring) in an attempt to identify faulty internals. See attachment for a better understanding.
Thanks for the info. looks like I'm gonna have to go with the leak detection spray... I have no codes, and it's only that side that bleeds down after 12 - 24 hours. I was just informed that Arnott is the brand of choice by Mercedes. I seen the Arnott brand, but I bought the DIY brand that cost more then the Arnott's... The DIY struts were $85 more. I bought 2, because I figured, why wait for the other side to go out, but I ran into this issue so I never did the other side. Thanks for the info though, that helps big time...
I'm just speaking from 30 years of working on MB. The only thing you can do is spray the valve with soapy water and see if there is a leak. More times than not I've seen valve issues when we couldn't find an obvious air line leak. The only aftermarket brand air strut we'll use at my shop is Arnott as I've seen countless issues with the china made, ebay type struts. If you bought one of those, I'd be looking at the strut again.
I'm gonna order a Arnott strut. The strut I ordered was a DIY that cost more then the Arnott... I noticed that the car wasn't dropping on that side before the strut went out. So I figured i'd change the strut first before messing with the leveling valve.. We'll see....
08-05-2020, 09:39 AM
