AirRide just died in the back - not a good way to start with the new car
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 241
Likes: 17
From: Houston, TX
2006 E55 AMG, 2018 Audi Q7, 2005 Porsche Boxster S, 1930 Model A Hot Rod, 744HP 1965 Shelby Cobra
AirRide just died in the back - not a good way to start with the new car
I just took delivery of my 2006 E55 three nights ago. Prior to delivering the car to me, the dealer (BMW dealer took it in trade on a M5) didn't like the way the car lowered itself while parked for a few days. They did the right thing, delayed delivery, and replaced both rear air bags with MB manufactured ones. The car was running great until today.
I had a slow leak on the passenger rear tire, so I took the car to the local tire place to have that taken care of. They jacked up the car, took care of the issue, and lowered the car, and off I went. I noticed immediately that the "visit workshop" light was on, with the car with up arrow in it displayed. The rear of the car is very low on both sides, with the fenderwell opening just about 3/4" above the top of the rim.
Pressing the rise button does nothing. I do notice that each time I open the drivers door, I hear a loud, fairly aggressive whoosh of air coming from somewhere around the drivers side rear wheel, which is the opposite side of the car from the one that was jacked up. The whoosh of air only lasts for about 3 to 5 seconds, making is very hard to determine where it's coming from. If I close the door and reopen it, it doesn't happen. I have to close the door and wait a while, then it'll happen again.
I'm stumped, any ideas? I'm in Houston, the dealer is in Denver. I'd rather try to fix it here if it's something simple than get involved in a long term problem with the dealer in Denver.
To make matters worse, I leave tomorrow with the wife on a 7 day cruise. Obviously, telling her we can't go because the car is broken is not a very smart thing to do!
Guess what I'll be thinking about the whole cruise??
I had a slow leak on the passenger rear tire, so I took the car to the local tire place to have that taken care of. They jacked up the car, took care of the issue, and lowered the car, and off I went. I noticed immediately that the "visit workshop" light was on, with the car with up arrow in it displayed. The rear of the car is very low on both sides, with the fenderwell opening just about 3/4" above the top of the rim.
Pressing the rise button does nothing. I do notice that each time I open the drivers door, I hear a loud, fairly aggressive whoosh of air coming from somewhere around the drivers side rear wheel, which is the opposite side of the car from the one that was jacked up. The whoosh of air only lasts for about 3 to 5 seconds, making is very hard to determine where it's coming from. If I close the door and reopen it, it doesn't happen. I have to close the door and wait a while, then it'll happen again.
I'm stumped, any ideas? I'm in Houston, the dealer is in Denver. I'd rather try to fix it here if it's something simple than get involved in a long term problem with the dealer in Denver.
To make matters worse, I leave tomorrow with the wife on a 7 day cruise. Obviously, telling her we can't go because the car is broken is not a very smart thing to do!
Guess what I'll be thinking about the whole cruise??
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 414
Likes: 11
From: Victoria, Australia
04 E55
That's a *******. My first guess is that since both sides were replace and both sides are down, and the odds of both failing so quickly are super small. If you have a jack I'd get the car up and a bottle of soapy water. Start spraying down those airmatic lines to see if it is just a leak at a connector. Could be a simple job of tightening one of those up. If you run the car too long with the pump constantly working you run the risk of the on burning out your airmatic pump. Which is a greater ******* than the current problem.
It is possible that when the car was raised to have the rear tyre fitted they bent the mount that the rear sensor sits on telling the car what is level. Google/search here for the rear airmatic sensor height doozie thing, and you might get in some luck that way.
I don't know if the same thing applies in the US, but we have fairly got consumer laws here protecting you from issues like this. Seeing as how you just bought the car the dealer if they like it or not would be obliged to repair it free of cost. I don't know how far about where you and the dealer are but maybe a phone call to discuss something - a local mechanic they use or recommend to do the work?
It is possible that when the car was raised to have the rear tyre fitted they bent the mount that the rear sensor sits on telling the car what is level. Google/search here for the rear airmatic sensor height doozie thing, and you might get in some luck that way.
I don't know if the same thing applies in the US, but we have fairly got consumer laws here protecting you from issues like this. Seeing as how you just bought the car the dealer if they like it or not would be obliged to repair it free of cost. I don't know how far about where you and the dealer are but maybe a phone call to discuss something - a local mechanic they use or recommend to do the work?
Last edited by sexyxe; Jan 9, 2016 at 08:06 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 241
Likes: 17
From: Houston, TX
2006 E55 AMG, 2018 Audi Q7, 2005 Porsche Boxster S, 1930 Model A Hot Rod, 744HP 1965 Shelby Cobra
I've spoken with the dealer who sold me the car in Denver and they're saying all the right things so far about getting this taken care of here in Houston. Hopefully I have some answers when I get back.
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From: Orbiting the planet
This place is a joke.
Too late to do that before the cruise, we leave early tomorrow. I'm interested in knowing who Ted is, though. Where is his shop and what does he do?
I've spoken with the dealer who sold me the car in Denver and they're saying all the right things so far about getting this taken care of here in Houston. Hopefully I have some answers when I get back.
I've spoken with the dealer who sold me the car in Denver and they're saying all the right things so far about getting this taken care of here in Houston. Hopefully I have some answers when I get back.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Cypress, TX
'06 E55, '15 Jeep SRT8, '94 Mustang GT
The odds of the tire shop bending the rear bracket for the sensor is incredibly small. That's a thick bracket and is not near a jacking point. Also the bracket is just off center on the driver's side of the vehicle, which is opposite of the side the tire shop worked on.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Sleepy Hollow, IL
65 Chevelle Wagon w/ C5 frame, 08 ML63, 04 S600, 04 E55,(sold) 00 ML55,(sold) 98 C43-55K Swap
Being that a BMW dealer did the work, obviously without MB experience, I'm going to wager they installed the new rear bags without tightening the lower bag bolts with the proper angle on the lower bag pivot. This will result in the brand new bags being destroyed, and thus leaking air. This is a common mistake made when installing new rear bags.
this, or they took the hose clamp off of the chamber to install the springs without dropping the subframe, then the hose blew off. I've seen non mb shops do this too.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Houston, TX
2006 E55, 2012 Jeep SRT, 2008 G37s 6MT (The Mrs.), 2005 Explorer
Too late to do that before the cruise, we leave early tomorrow. I'm interested in knowing who Ted is, though. Where is his shop and what does he do?
I've spoken with the dealer who sold me the car in Denver and they're saying all the right things so far about getting this taken care of here in Houston. Hopefully I have some answers when I get back.
I've spoken with the dealer who sold me the car in Denver and they're saying all the right things so far about getting this taken care of here in Houston. Hopefully I have some answers when I get back.
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Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
Set your suspension on Sport 1 or Sport 2. This closes the solenoid valve to the external reservoir. If the leak appears to stop, it is most likely the hose between the air bag and the external reservoir; standard hose clamps will not seal that connection and it requires a wide-band high-torque clamp. I've posted on this.
If the leak continues, check the air line where it connects to the shock (not as likely based upon your statement of "loud whooshing for 3 or 4 seconds". If that is not it, as post #5 stated, it could be they inflated the air bag without first raising the rear wheel to the -1.2 degrees camber as stated in the maintenance documentation.
Repair it ASAP or you run the risk of burning out the suspension's air compressor under the front left bumper.
If the leak continues, check the air line where it connects to the shock (not as likely based upon your statement of "loud whooshing for 3 or 4 seconds". If that is not it, as post #5 stated, it could be they inflated the air bag without first raising the rear wheel to the -1.2 degrees camber as stated in the maintenance documentation.
Repair it ASAP or you run the risk of burning out the suspension's air compressor under the front left bumper.
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Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Indianapolis
2004 E55.98 SS Camaro.Jetta TDI. Expedition
Set your suspension on Sport 1 or Sport 2. This closes the solenoid valve to the external reservoir. If the leak appears to stop, it is most likely the hose between the air bag and the external reservoir; standard hose clamps will not seal that connection and it requires a wide-band high-torque clamp. I've posted on this.
If the leak continues, check the air line where it connects to the shock (not as likely based upon your statement of "loud whooshing for 3 or 4 seconds". If that is not it, as post #5 stated, it could be they inflated the air bag without first raising the rear wheel to the -1.2 degrees camber as stated in the maintenance documentation.
Repair it ASAP or you run the risk of burning out the suspension's air compressor under the front left bumper.
If the leak continues, check the air line where it connects to the shock (not as likely based upon your statement of "loud whooshing for 3 or 4 seconds". If that is not it, as post #5 stated, it could be they inflated the air bag without first raising the rear wheel to the -1.2 degrees camber as stated in the maintenance documentation.
Repair it ASAP or you run the risk of burning out the suspension's air compressor under the front left bumper.
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Benz
Being that a BMW dealer did the work, obviously without MB experience, I'm going to wager they installed the new rear bags without tightening the lower bag bolts with the proper angle on the lower bag pivot. This will result in the brand new bags being destroyed, and thus leaking air. This is a common mistake made when installing new rear bags.
Or dropping the car all the way before getting air in there and pinching the bag. If its a defective part you should be able to parts warranty through local benz dealer
