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Airmatic stuck on Sport and drops to ground at night in front
Hi folks - my 2010 E550 is two owner, got all recco'd service until this year when I bought it. I am aware there was a short term owner who abused it - bent the wheels, to be specific. I have owned it 2 months.
The Airmatic front end lower itself to the floor during the night - both sides of the front equally, as soon as I unlock the door it comes back up to where it should be and stays there until it sits overnight again. I have sat there listening, or after getting out of the car, I hear no leaks and the pump doesn't kick on and off. I just paid 120 bucks to have an import mechanic look at it, he says it's in great shape and has no obvious issues except the rear left shock needs replacing.
In addition to the suspension issue that has begun in the last month, the Sport/Comfort button for suspension is stuck on Sport. Shifting sport to comfort and back works, suspension does not.
Usually, when it's over 110 degrees (I live in Las Vegas) 2010 E550
all the electronics will stop working until it cools off. This behavior however, is new.
Sounds like you have a leak, maybe get a Mercedes specialized shop to look at it. I don't think it throws a code when there's a leak, at least mine didn't when it leaked. Same thing, mine would drop over night. Also you wouldn't necessarily be able to hear it leak. How many miles is on your car? Airmatic parts tends to fail around 100k.
Sounds like you have a leak, maybe get a Mercedes specialized shop to look at it. I don't think it throws a code when there's a leak, at least mine didn't when it leaked. Same thing, mine would drop over night. Also you wouldn't necessarily be able to hear it leak. How many miles is on your car? Airmatic parts tends to fail around 100k.
108k :-)
That said, it was fine until it visited a window shop with 3 other mercedes in the shop. I suspect they harvested parts.
I also think there's a leak in the car . I'm not an expert by any means but having watched a Wheeler Dealer episode featuring a Porsche Cayenne Turbo S suffering a similar issue , I think there's a leak in the system . At least your car doesn't sag down on one wheels that would look weird .I hope you get it sorted out as cheap as possible .
10yrs/100k the Airmatic strut/springs are ripe for replacement... drive around till the car is at the correct ride height. Park and lock the car, keep key 15' away at least. Get up under the rear bumper and disconnect the electrical connector from the valvebody. Let the car sit overnight.
If it drops, there's a leak. I would then repeat the test above (full ride height, parked, etc..), but this time disconnect the air line from the valvebody to the compressor (from compressor end). Stick the line into a cup with water and watch for bubbles. It could be a very small leak, so bubble will form at tip of line VERY slowly.
Last thing to check would be spraying down all the lines and fittings with leak detector solution to rule out a crack line or leaking fitting. Having done all that, likely you'll need new struts... go OE reman (MB) or Arnott.
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