2011 gl450 left rear hissing and sags
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: NEW YORK
2011 GL 450
2011 gl450 left rear hissing and sags
Left rear tire area can hear hissing and sags. Took to a shop to get on lift and look for leak. Lifted up to level 3 while on lift. Sprayed bag with water no bubbles, bag full and no hissing at all. 2011 gl450 on post lift running and no issues. Set GL down on shop floor, and stayed perfect in ride height 3. Put back in normal ride height with no issues. As soon as he backed it out of shop the left rear dropped and hissing.
Last edited by Jbchouinard; Feb 18, 2019 at 07:59 AM. Reason: has ADS
Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 146
Likes: 43
2013 GL 450, 2020 GLE 350
How did you determine the bag was not leaking?
I had an E series a few years ago and while I was unable to find a leak in the bag, it was the issue.It only seemed to leak under certain conditions, which complicated the troubleshooting. When I ordered the new air bags I was convinced the leak was somewhere else, but the new bags fixed it.
Does the suspension go up when the engine is running and only sag once stopped? If so, my money would be on the bag. The E series bags have a schrader type valve on the inlet, so once filled it should not lose pressure unless there is a leak. I cannot confirm at this point, but I would be really surprised if the GL bags were not the same design.
I would be sure to get it addressed soon though. Many think that if it fills when the engine is running they can delay the repairs - but a small leak will only turn into a larger leak. If it goes out on you while driving (or at a place where you can't do the repairs) you will be forced to have it towed. Also the on-board air compressor is not designed to run constant. If it is continually having to replace air leaking from your system you will burn it out pretty quickly - only adding another expense. Leaks from the lines and distribution blocks are not common, and usually due to physical damage. It is almost always the bag being defective.
Also be aware, you likely will need to replace both sides at the same time to avoid an Airmatic error message.The onboard diagnostics seems to expect these to be paired.
I haven't replaced the air suspension on my GL yet, but on my E series it only took about 30 minutes per side to replace.
Good luck!
I had an E series a few years ago and while I was unable to find a leak in the bag, it was the issue.It only seemed to leak under certain conditions, which complicated the troubleshooting. When I ordered the new air bags I was convinced the leak was somewhere else, but the new bags fixed it.
Does the suspension go up when the engine is running and only sag once stopped? If so, my money would be on the bag. The E series bags have a schrader type valve on the inlet, so once filled it should not lose pressure unless there is a leak. I cannot confirm at this point, but I would be really surprised if the GL bags were not the same design.
I would be sure to get it addressed soon though. Many think that if it fills when the engine is running they can delay the repairs - but a small leak will only turn into a larger leak. If it goes out on you while driving (or at a place where you can't do the repairs) you will be forced to have it towed. Also the on-board air compressor is not designed to run constant. If it is continually having to replace air leaking from your system you will burn it out pretty quickly - only adding another expense. Leaks from the lines and distribution blocks are not common, and usually due to physical damage. It is almost always the bag being defective.
Also be aware, you likely will need to replace both sides at the same time to avoid an Airmatic error message.The onboard diagnostics seems to expect these to be paired.
I haven't replaced the air suspension on my GL yet, but on my E series it only took about 30 minutes per side to replace.
Good luck!
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Buford, Ga
2023 EQE AMG
JB you have 1 of two issues.. the feed line to the bag is leaknig or the bag is leaking at certain positions. You will not get around that simple fix, replace the bag install new bag conenctor call it it a day :-)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: NEW YORK
2011 GL 450
No leak found in any position with my ride height and sport/com on or off when on the lift (GL running) lowered off the post lift and sat perfect with no leaks, dropped to position 2 , 1 and normal ride height with no leaks. once put in gear to back out of garage sag starts and hissing noise. cant get under it quick enough (while safe) while hissing is going on . i parked in garage over night and both rears are down
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Joined: Nov 2017
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From: Bethesda, MD
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
No leak found in any position with my ride height and sport/com on or off when on the lift (GL running) lowered off the post lift and sat perfect with no leaks, dropped to position 2 , 1 and normal ride height with no leaks. once put in gear to back out of garage sag starts and hissing noise. cant get under it quick enough (while safe) while hissing is going on . i parked in garage over night and both rears are down
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Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 146
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2013 GL 450, 2020 GLE 350
No leak found in any position with my ride height and sport/com on or off when on the lift (GL running) lowered off the post lift and sat perfect with no leaks, dropped to position 2 , 1 and normal ride height with no leaks. once put in gear to back out of garage sag starts and hissing noise. cant get under it quick enough (while safe) while hissing is going on . i parked in garage over night and both rears are down
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: NEW YORK
2011 GL 450
This was the exact symptoms on mine. It drove me nuts. Sometimes I would go for a few days without issue. Then would come out after it was parked for a few hours and found it sagging. Don't think just because it does not leak all the time that eliminates the bag. I was reluctant to believe it could be as I thought it would either leak all the time or not. I realize it defies logic, but it really sounds like your bags are the culprit.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: NEW YORK
2011 GL 450
How did you determine the bag was not leaking?
I had an E series a few years ago and while I was unable to find a leak in the bag, it was the issue.It only seemed to leak under certain conditions, which complicated the troubleshooting. When I ordered the new air bags I was convinced the leak was somewhere else, but the new bags fixed it.
Does the suspension go up when the engine is running and only sag once stopped? If so, my money would be on the bag. The E series bags have a schrader type valve on the inlet, so once filled it should not lose pressure unless there is a leak. I cannot confirm at this point, but I would be really surprised if the GL bags were not the same design.
I would be sure to get it addressed soon though. Many think that if it fills when the engine is running they can delay the repairs - but a small leak will only turn into a larger leak. If it goes out on you while driving (or at a place where you can't do the repairs) you will be forced to have it towed. Also the on-board air compressor is not designed to run constant. If it is continually having to replace air leaking from your system you will burn it out pretty quickly - only adding another expense. Leaks from the lines and distribution blocks are not common, and usually due to physical damage. It is almost always the bag being defective.
Also be aware, you likely will need to replace both sides at the same time to avoid an Airmatic error message.The onboard diagnostics seems to expect these to be paired.
I haven't replaced the air suspension on my GL yet, but on my E series it only took about 30 minutes per side to replace.
Good luck!
I had an E series a few years ago and while I was unable to find a leak in the bag, it was the issue.It only seemed to leak under certain conditions, which complicated the troubleshooting. When I ordered the new air bags I was convinced the leak was somewhere else, but the new bags fixed it.
Does the suspension go up when the engine is running and only sag once stopped? If so, my money would be on the bag. The E series bags have a schrader type valve on the inlet, so once filled it should not lose pressure unless there is a leak. I cannot confirm at this point, but I would be really surprised if the GL bags were not the same design.
I would be sure to get it addressed soon though. Many think that if it fills when the engine is running they can delay the repairs - but a small leak will only turn into a larger leak. If it goes out on you while driving (or at a place where you can't do the repairs) you will be forced to have it towed. Also the on-board air compressor is not designed to run constant. If it is continually having to replace air leaking from your system you will burn it out pretty quickly - only adding another expense. Leaks from the lines and distribution blocks are not common, and usually due to physical damage. It is almost always the bag being defective.
Also be aware, you likely will need to replace both sides at the same time to avoid an Airmatic error message.The onboard diagnostics seems to expect these to be paired.
I haven't replaced the air suspension on my GL yet, but on my E series it only took about 30 minutes per side to replace.
Good luck!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 149
From: Bethesda, MD
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
Most people on here want to help and help you avoid an even bigger expense; the compressor.
Since you have been driving your car, and you have now been getting the cooling down messages you are at risk of having damaged the compressor; which is more expensive.
Try to replace the bags sooner than later to save that compressor.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: NEW YORK
2011 GL 450
the reason most people say change the bags right away is the reason yiure getting the cooling down message.
Most people on here want to help and help you avoid an even bigger expense; the compressor.
Since you have been driving your car, and you have now been getting the cooling down messages you are at risk of having damaged the compressor; which is more expensive.
Try to replace the bags sooner than later to save that compressor.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: NEW YORK
2011 GL 450
Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 146
Likes: 43
2013 GL 450, 2020 GLE 350
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: NEW YORK
2011 GL 450
was my issue, i got 2 new arnott bags and replaced both. now ill do the shocks once i get a deal on some good ones for ADS
Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 146
Likes: 43
2013 GL 450, 2020 GLE 350
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: NEW YORK
2011 GL 450
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 149
From: Bethesda, MD
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
