dbworld4k

Done lots of searching, I know it's common on our beasts.

I've been getting it sporadically lately but this week it happens immediately on start up. A few days ago I tried the raise button and nothing happened. Tonight, I noticed my rear wheels are sitting reaaaally low, passenger's side more than driver's. Fronts are also a bit lower than normal but not slammed.

Before I go throwing money at rear air springs, is there a way to test the compressor? The gradual lowering over the past week + no response from Raise makes me think something is up with the compressor and/or relay.

Thoughts?

gmphertford

With the car running press the button to pump up suspension, You will here pump running on left front behind bumper, if the suspension goes up then the pump is ok, u probably have a air leak somewhere in the system after the valve block.

Yacht Master

Most times a leak in the lines, junctions and or struts, causes the compressor to work overtime. When the pump works over time it dose not take long for it to burn up, but that is not all, it almost always takes out the relay too.
So at the end of the day, neglecting that little red visit workshop, just starts costing more and more.
On these cars it is best to be a little proactive with AirMatic issues.

dbworld4k

It was not a red error code. It was the normal white one. It would go away after a restart, up until this week at which point I had barely driven it.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

airmatic pump is going bad.

you can connect the car to the MB das system and you can do a self test on the pump

55fanatic

swap to coilovers

dbworld4k

Seems like it. I turned the car on just now (first time since last week) and got the red Stop, Car Too Low error. Couldn't hear the compressor, and pressing the raise button did nothing. Getting it towed to a recommended shop tomorrow morning.

Looks pretty sick, though.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

the cold weather does not help also

Yacht Master

Ya that white warrning is Mercedes just messing with you,

Check the relay first and hope the compressor is OK

dbworld4k

Lol. I didn't give the car much priority as I don't drive it everyday - few times a week at most. Ever since I bought it, I was prepared for Airmatic issues. Surprised it didn't occur sooner, lol.

Now for the relay, what do you mean check it? Isn't it just a little green box? What signs should I be looking for that would point to it as the culprit?

Thanks for all the help so far guys

dbworld4k

Update. Replaced the relay, fired up the car. No change Seems like the compressor is shot.

.trunzx

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUDI-ALLROAD-C5-A8-Q7-WABCO-AIR-SUSPENSION-COMPRESSOR-PISTON-RING-REPAIR-FIX-KIT-/151062196437?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item232c0230d5
I used to get the visit workshop message occasionally and this kit fixed my problem. Its a shot in the dark but for $30 it might be an easy fix. (The bolts and o-ring are the wrong size but the piston seal is what you need)

viren.89

How many kms do you have on your car eh ?

dbworld4k

Fuse seems to be okay. Looks like I've ruled out all the possibilities I can on my own without Star. This highway bruiser has stretched her legs over 225k kms. No garage queen here!

Round Goby

Where is that piston seal located on the air compressor?

.trunzx

dbworld4k

Turned out to be a blown compressor. Would barely register any PSI on the DAS test. Apparently there was a code for a leak, too. Based on the slammed rear, my guess is it's back there. Yay! -_- Edit: tech said the nozzle at the main air line to the compressor was cracked. That's what was causing a slow leak over time, and eventually crapped the compressor. Spray tested all the lines. No leaks! The car rides even better than when I bought it last Fall, much more stable and responsive. Feels more sportier than the bloaty/cumbersome way it was. I thought that all E55s were super soft, pleasantly surprised to see they're not!

viren.89

Did you take it to an Indy or MB dealer ?

I assume the car cannot be driven with the suspension slammed like that hence you had to get it towed eh or the car rises once you start it and

stays rises as long as it's being driven ?

dbworld4k

I had it towed because it was unsafe to drive it that low. It is not possible for the car to rise because the compressor was blown... there's nothing to pump air into the system. Took it to a reputable MB specialist shop that has been servicing this car since '07. It wasn't cheap, but that's to be expected.

MAN55LE

Arrnott makes air compressor pumps for about $3-$400 probably a lot cheaper and has a warranty compared to the Oem

dbworld4k

I'm in Canada. Arnott pumps are around $450 in the US actually. All their prices have shot up, even for struts. By the time I factor in shipping and duties, a new local OE unit for $470, in stock at the shop, was a no brainer. The extra costs came in labor/diagnosis (obviously) and some other little things they had to tidy up. I can't complain.