Airmatic problem!!! Please help!!!!!!!!
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Airmatic problem!!! Please help!!!!!!!!
As I am driving out of a gas station on my way to school I make a turn and I hear my right rear tire rubbing against the car. I decide to drive back home only 3 blocks away and as I am driving the rubbing/noise gets worse and i have to slow down. I then see a message in red letters on the dashboard saying "Airmatic, Stop, Car Too Low". As I park my car in the driveway I get out and see that the front of the car is too low and the back is completely gone (the car body is touching the top of the tires). The car is now undriveable.
I dont understand this since I never received a warning prior to this, the airmatic light never came on. I assume it all started about 2 months ago when I started hearing knocking wobbling noices everytime I would go over bumps but the noices would go away so I never thought it was something serious. My only knowledge of this is that it's an airmatic problem. Can anybody tell me what I can do about this. Can I fix this myself, can a mechanic fix it or do I have to take it to the dealer? Cost?
I dont understand this since I never received a warning prior to this, the airmatic light never came on. I assume it all started about 2 months ago when I started hearing knocking wobbling noices everytime I would go over bumps but the noices would go away so I never thought it was something serious. My only knowledge of this is that it's an airmatic problem. Can anybody tell me what I can do about this. Can I fix this myself, can a mechanic fix it or do I have to take it to the dealer? Cost?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Sugar Land, TX
BMW E39
Sorry man, sounds like your airmatic just went. The majority of the early w220s go through this. I went through this in 2004. What year is your car?
Take it to the dealer. Good luck.
Take it to the dealer. Good luck.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2003
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From: Houston, TX
2015 E250D
It depends on your problem. If the compressor is bad then I think it's around 500 dollars. If the struts are leaking on top (noticed by a hairline crack on the top) then this can be repaired. The repair kit is 50 dollars. It takes about 30 minutes per side to install.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Long Island, NY
W220 S65 AMG
You have to raise your car up and take apart the plastic covers on the bottom passenger side to get to the compressor.
Here's the part:Compressor 2113200104 $695.00
They would charge you for an hour and a half at the dealer for labor to replace it.
But hey buddy, looks like it's your lucky day! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MERCE...spagenameZWDVW
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Houston, TX
2015 E250D
The compressor is surely shot according to the noise when car is off. THe compressor may have gotten in this shape due to leaky struts to begin with. Since they are leaky, the compressor has to run all the time to compensate for the air loss. Check the top of the strut and see if there is a hairline crack in the resin. If so, get the repair kit. You will require a special tool to change the top of the struts and a heat gun to take the old resin off. I just did a car this morning. Works perfectly.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Long Island, NY
W220 S65 AMG
Thread Starter
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sorry for my ignorance
ill have a mechanic check it since i cant seem to find it
also can a mechanic replace the compressor or does the compressor have to be programmed in a dealer?
ill have a mechanic check it since i cant seem to find it
also can a mechanic replace the compressor or does the compressor have to be programmed in a dealer?
Last edited by locster; Oct 31, 2006 at 01:41 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: HOUSTON, TX
'06 CLS55 P030
The compressor is surely shot according to the noise when car is off. THe compressor may have gotten in this shape due to leaky struts to begin with. Since they are leaky, the compressor has to run all the time to compensate for the air loss. Check the top of the strut and see if there is a hairline crack in the resin. If so, get the repair kit. You will require a special tool to change the top of the struts and a heat gun to take the old resin off. I just did a car this morning. Works perfectly.
Last edited by 516mbtek; Oct 31, 2006 at 08:02 PM.
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From: New Jersey
2000 S500, 2001 Camry,1996 Honda SUV
I do not fully understand the following.
"the strut tops never leak until vehicle is raised on lift or jacked up...."
Does it mean that if we often lift or jack up our vehicle, there is a chance to damage the struts? Sorry for my dump question, but I really want to avoid something which will shorten the life of struts.
"the strut tops never leak until vehicle is raised on lift or jacked up...."
Does it mean that if we often lift or jack up our vehicle, there is a chance to damage the struts? Sorry for my dump question, but I really want to avoid something which will shorten the life of struts.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: HOUSTON, TX
'06 CLS55 P030
not a dumb question... The tops of the airmatic struts 99% guaranteed will eventually leak no matter what you do, they have a half-dollar sized or better, o-ring sealed plate held with a circlip that seals the top end...which is covered by a black wax/resin, a repair kit is sold at mb and a special tool is required to change it. All rubber o-rings will eventually leak it seems... however when their time has come, the leaking will ONLY occur when raising the car on lift or jacking up one side and not during normal driving, sitting or otherwise.....according to MB service engineering
Senior Member
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From: HOUSTON, TX
'06 CLS55 P030
Possibly the fronts could depressurize if they have a leaky top seal. You can pop hood, spray some soapy water on the tops of the struts, then jack it up slowly and look for bubbles which would indicate a leak. If a leak is present then I suggest to jack the car up from under the lower control arm in the front and change the front wheels one at a time. The rear is ok to jack up normally
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Holland
S320
Thanks for reply.
I just check the front top strut and I notice one-two hair-line crack on both end.
The sealing is black.
Seems the original?
Would that kit be available in Europe too?
The mercedes dealer know about it?
Another question:
Always when I stop the car-engine and close it there is air coming out and the car is droping litle (maybe less then 1 inch).
Is this normal?
I just check the front top strut and I notice one-two hair-line crack on both end.
The sealing is black.
Seems the original?
Would that kit be available in Europe too?
The mercedes dealer know about it?
Another question:
Always when I stop the car-engine and close it there is air coming out and the car is droping litle (maybe less then 1 inch).
Is this normal?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,005
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From: Houston, TX
2015 E250D
The majority of air leak does occur when the car is placed on a lift. You'll hear a whistling sound when the car is lifted. This is a sure sign of a leak on top. And when the car is lifted, all air from the strut leaks out. When the tech placed the car on ground again, the struts are fully compressed which usually damages the bellows inside the strut. The car is suppose to be connected to DAS, compressor started to fill strut, then lowered to ground. THe car can be started with a key as well and you can wait for the compressor to fill the strut. What I usually do is lower the car a bit so the wheels are touching the ground. Start the car. and keep lowering it slowly so as to give enough time for the compressor to fill the strut. WIS strictly states not to lower the car if the strut is empty. A slow leak can also occur on top when the car is level on ground.
The resin on top is suppose to prevent any air loss when the car is lifted.
The resin on top is suppose to prevent any air loss when the car is lifted.
Last edited by SUNILP; Nov 10, 2006 at 07:27 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Houston, TX
2015 E250D
lifting the car will not cause it to leak if your strut is fine. If the resin is already cracked on top, lifting the car will cause the air to leak out of this crack and you will have a deflated strut. Then lower the deflated strut will even cause more damage to the strut diaphragm.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Houston Texas
Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
which is why you stated before, if i recall correctly, to lower the car part way and turn it on to let them inflate before lowering it completely on the ground.
