W211 Airmatic problems
#1
W211 Airmatic problems
Hello, so I bought S211 2007 with Airmatic problem. Rear left side of the car was quite low to the ground we checked the bags and they were good no leaks around rear strut, valve block. When you start the car Pump works only for 10 seconds (does not lift car at all while pumping) And after around 10 seconds I get malfunction on my instrument cluster and Pump stops working, Diagnostic said there is a leak in the pressure lines if you delete the malfunction rear left side raises halfway and then stops raising. Raise/ sport buttons doesnt work even lights are working. After deleting the malfunction and driving for an hour car is finally at the normal height. But it still drops sometimes over night or sometimes it takes even 2-3 days. I have changed the valve block (I took used one to test it) Car raised well, all the buttons worked well but i had malfunction, that valve is bad. So I decided that valve block is bad so I bought a new valve block and when I changed it rear left side dropped again. Pump works for 10 seconds and then I get the malfunction again. Can new valve block be deffective? And why does the pump work only for 10 seconds when you start the car? Could that mean that the pump is weak?
Last edited by Revolli; 10-01-2021 at 01:45 PM.
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,406
Likes: 1,020
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
Stop throwing parts and money at your car. Use advanced search in the upper right as you are not the first person to have issues with the Airmatic suspension system. Many, many posts on how to troubleshoot the Airmatic SAS (Semi-Active Suspension). Just from your description you have a leak in the system. Air springs have valves to keep air in them; if they deflate, you have a leak from the bladder or a bad valve which, in turn, means you need a new air spring. Find the tech data (multiple posts out there), study, learn, diagnose, and repair.
#4
But why pump runs only for 10 seconds and then stops shouldn't it Raise the car even if there is a leak? I have read a lot of forums but couldn't find any information about pump working like that. And while it's working (for those 10seconds) it wont raise car at all.
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,406
Likes: 1,020
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
Safety feature. Might be bad compressor or another issue. Put it on STAR and you can test the compressor, air reservoir, and air springs individually. Pressure, height, durations, etc. 20 minutes of testing versus hours/days searching and replacing.
#6
Last edited by Revolli; 10-02-2021 at 04:06 PM.
#7
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#8
#9
In theory but after all you did so far don't you think something as simple as checking relay/pins/contacts are fine would be considered.
Last edited by konigstiger; 10-02-2021 at 05:30 PM.
#10
One more question how do I check if there is a leak if the pump doesn't build any pressure and there is no pressure in those pressure lines?
#11
How about this open line @ valve, open @ strut, seal @ strut or valve and use compressor capable of producing 10-16 BAR / PSI conversion. Remember there is a rear axle distributor.
#12
I have checked the rear axle distributor also I have changed the compressor since the old one was rusty on the inside some springs were broken and Cylinder with the piston were worn out. Now the new one works only for 10 seconds again and shuts down after and car wont raise a little bit... I dont know what to do anymore
#13
It feels like it doesn't want to let the air inside the system. Any ideas what could cause that? Also I am suspicious about how hoses are connected to valve block. They are not marked by colors. And from other pictures it looks like they are connected wrong. Keep in mind that I have bought a car with this problem.
Last edited by Revolli; 10-07-2021 at 07:18 AM.
#14
Pump is sucking air and then air starts coming out of the filter, So it builds up pressure and lets it out through pressure relief valve, so that would mean that Valve block does not open the air pump valve? After Pump stops working diagnostic says that there is a leak in the pressure lines. But there is no leak in pressure lines, becouse air doesn't even get to the pressure lines.
Last edited by Revolli; 10-08-2021 at 06:16 AM.
#15
Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 245
Likes: 36
From: L.A., Moscow, NYC, San Diego, Baja
1998 E320 Wagon, 2003 W211 E500, 2003 W211 E500, 1999 W210 E55 AMG
Pump is sucking air and then air starts coming out of the filter, So it builds up pressure and lets it out through pressure relief valve, so that would mean that Valve block does not open the air pump valve? After Pump stops working diagnostic says that there is a leak in the pressure lines. But there is no leak in pressure lines, becouse air doesn't even get to the pressure lines.
#16
Check every line and fitting with soapy spray. That LR spring, in spite of a negative soap test, may still have a leak through the bellows you can't see as some springs have a shroud. Check the compressor and spring for mfg. ID. If they are Arnott the components have a lifetime warranty.
#17
Hello again, does anyone know if I can check if rear airbag or valve is bad? Becouse I have looked for leaks everywhere else checked everything besides airbags. I went to the dealers to check the airbags probably they missed something so I want to check them myself. The problem is that air bags are empty they have no pressure in them. How do I check rear airbag valve? And can they be replaced seperately?
Last edited by Revolli; 10-14-2021 at 11:31 AM.
#19
I'm unsure i left the car at dealers. They said it was good. I believe they checked the Airbag itself but I think that The valve might be bad becouse I checked everything else and couldnt find any leaks. My car won't raise and wont pressurize the airbag becouse it says there is a leak and compressor stops working.
#20
If you’re asking if internal valves(s) can be replaced separately, no. Only way to definitively check is to remove/disassemble air spring as shown in this link (212 different part but same method): https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...k-testing.html it may be time for you to make a decision to replace compressor & both rear air springs barring rear air line leak. Your call.
Last edited by konigstiger; 10-14-2021 at 01:34 PM.
#21
Hello, so I bought S211 2007 with Airmatic problem. Rear left side of the car was quite low to the ground we checked the bags and they were good no leaks around rear strut, valve block. When you start the car Pump works only for 10 seconds (does not lift car at all while pumping) And after around 10 seconds I get malfunction on my instrument cluster and Pump stops working, Diagnostic said there is a leak in the pressure lines if you delete the malfunction rear left side raises halfway and then stops raising. Raise/ sport buttons doesnt work even lights are working. After deleting the malfunction and driving for an hour car is finally at the normal height. But it still drops sometimes over night or sometimes it takes even 2-3 days. I have changed the valve block (I took used one to test it) Car raised well, all the buttons worked well but i had malfunction, that valve is bad. So I decided that valve block is bad so I bought a new valve block and when I changed it rear left side dropped again. Pump works for 10 seconds and then I get the malfunction again. Can new valve block be deffective? And why does the pump work only for 10 seconds when you start the car? Could that mean that the pump is weak?
#22
If you’re asking if internal valves(s) can be replaced separately, no. Only way to definitively check is to remove/disassemble air spring as shown in this link (212 different part but same method): https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...k-testing.html it may be time for you to make a decision to replace compressor & both rear air springs barring rear air line leak. Your call.
Last edited by Revolli; 10-14-2021 at 01:44 PM.
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#24
I have tried to raise car with diagnostic the front raised without any problems, but the rear is still sitting down on the ground pressure in the system is 11bars front both struts are fully inflated. Rear is down on the ground and does not want to raise. Pressure remained the same after some time and didnt drop a little.
Last edited by Revolli; 10-16-2021 at 12:44 PM.
#25
Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 245
Likes: 36
From: L.A., Moscow, NYC, San Diego, Baja
1998 E320 Wagon, 2003 W211 E500, 2003 W211 E500, 1999 W210 E55 AMG
I have tried to raise car with diagnostic the front raised without any problems, but the rear is still sitting down on the ground pressure in the system is 11bars front both struts are fully inflated. Rear is down on the ground and does not want to raise. Pressure remained the same after some time and didnt drop a little.