possible airmatic leak
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: s.f. bay area
s500 GL450 GL63 Z71XL Yukon 67 396 SS velle 68 Vert Camaro 69 RSSS Vert Camaro 75 Blazer
possible airmatic leak
yesterday, i noticed my 2000 s500 was sitting pretty low on its left front wheel after its been parked all night. when i go to drive it, it raises up to normal level and drives fine. everytime i park it, after a short time, the left right front side is very low.
my airmatic was worked on for problems in about 2002 when it went out and slammed all the way to the ground.
can it only be a leak? i have slightly read on the strut repair. is this for leaks? is it bad if i keep driving it? will the compressor or relay go out on it? again, it seems to drive fine. i think the only problem is when i park it, it gets real low after a short while like 3 min.
my airmatic was worked on for problems in about 2002 when it went out and slammed all the way to the ground.
can it only be a leak? i have slightly read on the strut repair. is this for leaks? is it bad if i keep driving it? will the compressor or relay go out on it? again, it seems to drive fine. i think the only problem is when i park it, it gets real low after a short while like 3 min.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,063
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From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
It's a leak; check the strut seal on top with soapy water, see if it bubbles. If so, there is a seal kit that can fix it. If the leak is elsewhere, it's likely a strut replacement (the problem could come from a bad valve block as well, or a leak between the pump/block and the strut).
If you let it continue, it will ruin your Airmatic pump before long. A leak that creates visible lowering after 3 minutes is pretty bad.
If you let it continue, it will ruin your Airmatic pump before long. A leak that creates visible lowering after 3 minutes is pretty bad.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 303
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From: s.f. bay area
s500 GL450 GL63 Z71XL Yukon 67 396 SS velle 68 Vert Camaro 69 RSSS Vert Camaro 75 Blazer
thanks!! im, gonna get right on top of this. this sucks. where do you guys buy these kits? can i just go to the dealer or should i buy it else where.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 303
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From: s.f. bay area
s500 GL450 GL63 Z71XL Yukon 67 396 SS velle 68 Vert Camaro 69 RSSS Vert Camaro 75 Blazer
ok, did a closer inspection today. i looked at the top of the airmatic and there were no leaks. i just poured a whole bunch of water on top. as i mentioned, the airmatic was replaced a few years ago and there is no epoxy on top.
anyway, i went to pull the wheel and as i raised the body and the shock decompressed, it sounded like it was blowing a whole lot of air out of somewhere. but i thought about it and figured as the shock expanded, it might actually be pulling in air making the sound of air being sucked in. i pulled the wheel and listened closely as i recreated the expansion of the shock. it sounds like its coming from the top area of the air shock. i guess it would be under the bellow where the air bag would be.
so, does this sound like an airmatic airshock replacement to you or would it be able to be fixed? please let me know. i heard that if the leak is on top where the brass fitting is, then it is fixable but anywhere else, the shock would need to be replaced.
anyway, i went to pull the wheel and as i raised the body and the shock decompressed, it sounded like it was blowing a whole lot of air out of somewhere. but i thought about it and figured as the shock expanded, it might actually be pulling in air making the sound of air being sucked in. i pulled the wheel and listened closely as i recreated the expansion of the shock. it sounds like its coming from the top area of the air shock. i guess it would be under the bellow where the air bag would be.
so, does this sound like an airmatic airshock replacement to you or would it be able to be fixed? please let me know. i heard that if the leak is on top where the brass fitting is, then it is fixable but anywhere else, the shock would need to be replaced.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Koblenz,Germany/Chicago Suburb,Illinois
2002 S320-CDI
Leak test
Do the leak test (soapy water) as you are raising the car. If you hear air leaking out, you've got a leak. After you let the car back down, does it sit lower than it was before you raised it? Does the pump have to pump it up again?
I always thought that it was normal (air hissing when raising car, then pump pumping it back up after lowering car. I did repair, and no more air leaking, and car is at normal (even a little higher) after letting car back down.
I always thought that it was normal (air hissing when raising car, then pump pumping it back up after lowering car. I did repair, and no more air leaking, and car is at normal (even a little higher) after letting car back down.
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From: s.f. bay area
s500 GL450 GL63 Z71XL Yukon 67 396 SS velle 68 Vert Camaro 69 RSSS Vert Camaro 75 Blazer
brenner, as i mentioned, there is no leak on top of the shock tower. also, i want to mention that everyone says to put soap water on the top. there is no need for soapy water. just water and you shoud be able to see bubbles. anyway, the airmatic was repaired a few years back due to airmatic failure.
also, i was reading through different post and forums and it was mentioned that the shock bellow was not pressurized. well, i found that my bellow is pressurized and it will hold together purely by air pressure. i gave to look for my wis cd's and confirm this. i found that the bottom leaked air, by spraying soapy water around the bottom seal, leaked a little bit until the pressure built up and then it stopped. im wondering if the bellow is leaking somewhere where i can not see it. after putting the tire back on and having played with the bellow a bit, i found that the leak slowed down and the car dropped alot slower.
i guess i will play around with it a bit more tomorrow. hopefully i dont have to buy a new air strut.
also, i was reading through different post and forums and it was mentioned that the shock bellow was not pressurized. well, i found that my bellow is pressurized and it will hold together purely by air pressure. i gave to look for my wis cd's and confirm this. i found that the bottom leaked air, by spraying soapy water around the bottom seal, leaked a little bit until the pressure built up and then it stopped. im wondering if the bellow is leaking somewhere where i can not see it. after putting the tire back on and having played with the bellow a bit, i found that the leak slowed down and the car dropped alot slower.
i guess i will play around with it a bit more tomorrow. hopefully i dont have to buy a new air strut.
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
brenner, as i mentioned, there is no leak on top of the shock tower. also, i want to mention that everyone says to put soap water on the top. there is no need for soapy water. just water and you shoud be able to see bubbles. anyway, the airmatic was repaired a few years back due to airmatic failure.
also, i was reading through different post and forums and it was mentioned that the shock bellow was not pressurized. well, i found that my bellow is pressurized and it will hold together purely by air pressure. i gave to look for my wis cd's and confirm this. i found that the bottom leaked air, by spraying soapy water around the bottom seal, leaked a little bit until the pressure built up and then it stopped. im wondering if the bellow is leaking somewhere where i can not see it. after putting the tire back on and having played with the bellow a bit, i found that the leak slowed down and the car dropped alot slower.
i guess i will play around with it a bit more tomorrow. hopefully i dont have to buy a new air strut.
also, i was reading through different post and forums and it was mentioned that the shock bellow was not pressurized. well, i found that my bellow is pressurized and it will hold together purely by air pressure. i gave to look for my wis cd's and confirm this. i found that the bottom leaked air, by spraying soapy water around the bottom seal, leaked a little bit until the pressure built up and then it stopped. im wondering if the bellow is leaking somewhere where i can not see it. after putting the tire back on and having played with the bellow a bit, i found that the leak slowed down and the car dropped alot slower.
i guess i will play around with it a bit more tomorrow. hopefully i dont have to buy a new air strut.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 303
Likes: 75
From: s.f. bay area
s500 GL450 GL63 Z71XL Yukon 67 396 SS velle 68 Vert Camaro 69 RSSS Vert Camaro 75 Blazer
whoover, thanks for the advise. i acutally didnt mean that i was going to play as in drive around with it. i meant that i was going to try to try and pinpoint the leak. hopefully i can find it before spending a large sum of money if i dont have to.
Last edited by angelglo; Mar 9, 2009 at 12:35 PM.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 303
Likes: 75
From: s.f. bay area
s500 GL450 GL63 Z71XL Yukon 67 396 SS velle 68 Vert Camaro 69 RSSS Vert Camaro 75 Blazer
i bought a rebuilt arnott air suspension for my s500. i installed it but when i start the engine to get air into it, it does nothing. i tried this several times using the raising feature button but it doesnt lift up. i pulled the newly rebuilt one off and istall my old one and it raises fine. the only problem is that it lowers all the way down almost to the ground as if it has a leak somewhere. this is why im replacing it. could it be that the one i have is defective? any suggestion?
thanks
angel
thanks
angel
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 161
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From: long island ny
2000 S430
I paid $270 for the pump and $50 for the new hose (they redesigned the pump) I already changed the relay a while back.
Took me about 1.5 hours but I'm decent with tools.
Its easy to get to and replace , and a diy on the net.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
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From: TX
'01 S430
Maybe the dealer charges a lot but its an extremely easy and pretty cheap.
I paid $270 for the pump and $50 for the new hose (they redesigned the pump) I already changed the relay a while back.
Took me about 1.5 hours but I'm decent with tools.
Its easy to get to and replace , and a diy on the net.
I paid $270 for the pump and $50 for the new hose (they redesigned the pump) I already changed the relay a while back.
Took me about 1.5 hours but I'm decent with tools.
Its easy to get to and replace , and a diy on the net.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Mercedes Benz 2006 S430
I replaced a shock on right side of my 2006 S430, Sports Package. Even with my warranty it cost $800 at my non-dealer shop. What's the purpose of the car lowering and rising, anyway? Many times when I park in lots the car lowers to the point where it lays on top of the curb, and the bottom of the bumper scrapes when I back out of the parking space. My car also rises sometimes when I open the passenger door, but never when I open the driver's side door. Is it designed to do that for some reason or is that a "hiccup"? Does anyone else have these experiences? Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
My impression of "normal" Airmatic operation is:
The system has three sensors (one on each front strut, one for the rear) that tell the computer the car's height. The computer keeps the car at the desired ride height all of the time that the ignition is on, adding air when weight (such as a person) is added, releasing air when weight is reduced.
When the ignition is turned off, there will be pressurized air stored in a tank behind the left headlight. The computer uses the stored air to maintain the car's level, as the compressor does not run with the ignition off. The compressor will run as soon as you open the door, in preparation for driving away. (You can sometimes hear air being released as the driver and passengers exit the car.)
If the Airmatic system leaks, the ride height will start to slowly lower as the air pressure in the tank is depleted. If the leakage is very minor, the air in the tank will hold the proper height until you enter the car again.
It seems obvious that there is a leak somewhere in your Airmatic system. In addition, it seems as if there may be a problem with the switch that signals the opening of the driver's door...
The system has three sensors (one on each front strut, one for the rear) that tell the computer the car's height. The computer keeps the car at the desired ride height all of the time that the ignition is on, adding air when weight (such as a person) is added, releasing air when weight is reduced.
When the ignition is turned off, there will be pressurized air stored in a tank behind the left headlight. The computer uses the stored air to maintain the car's level, as the compressor does not run with the ignition off. The compressor will run as soon as you open the door, in preparation for driving away. (You can sometimes hear air being released as the driver and passengers exit the car.)
If the Airmatic system leaks, the ride height will start to slowly lower as the air pressure in the tank is depleted. If the leakage is very minor, the air in the tank will hold the proper height until you enter the car again.
It seems obvious that there is a leak somewhere in your Airmatic system. In addition, it seems as if there may be a problem with the switch that signals the opening of the driver's door...
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
My impression of "normal" Airmatic operation is:
The system has three sensors (one on each front strut, one for the rear) that tell the computer the car's height. The computer keeps the car at the desired ride height all of the time that the ignition is on, adding air when weight (such as a person) is added, releasing air when weight is reduced.
When the ignition is turned off, there will be pressurized air stored in a tank behind the left headlight. The computer uses the stored air to maintain the car's level, as the compressor does not run with the ignition off. The compressor will run as soon as you open the door, in preparation for driving away. (You can sometimes hear air being released as the driver and passengers exit the car.)
If the Airmatic system leaks, the ride height will start to slowly lower as the air pressure in the tank is depleted. If the leakage is very minor, the air in the tank will hold the proper height until you enter the car again.
It seems obvious that there is a leak somewhere in your Airmatic system. In addition, it seems as if there may be a problem with the switch that signals the opening of the driver's door...
The system has three sensors (one on each front strut, one for the rear) that tell the computer the car's height. The computer keeps the car at the desired ride height all of the time that the ignition is on, adding air when weight (such as a person) is added, releasing air when weight is reduced.
When the ignition is turned off, there will be pressurized air stored in a tank behind the left headlight. The computer uses the stored air to maintain the car's level, as the compressor does not run with the ignition off. The compressor will run as soon as you open the door, in preparation for driving away. (You can sometimes hear air being released as the driver and passengers exit the car.)
If the Airmatic system leaks, the ride height will start to slowly lower as the air pressure in the tank is depleted. If the leakage is very minor, the air in the tank will hold the proper height until you enter the car again.
It seems obvious that there is a leak somewhere in your Airmatic system. In addition, it seems as if there may be a problem with the switch that signals the opening of the driver's door...
The car has both ride height sensors, but also accelerometers. So not only does the system adjust to extra weight from persons or cargo, but also will add air where necessary to try to keep the car flat around turns (in essence extra spring rate).
When the car is shut off and the system goes into sleep mode, the system should shut the valves in the block, thereby essentially isolating the struts and air lines. The air in the tank should stay there.
When you open a door or otherwise wake up the canbus, the air in the tank is used to level out the car. Should that air not be sufficient, the compressor is used to fill the tank and its off to the races.
My understanding is that the air from the compressor never goes directly to the struts but makes a stop at the tank first.
As you drive, when the air in the tank reaches a critical pressure level, the compressor kicks on to refill.
