Weird Airmatic problem
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Weird Airmatic problem
Hello all, I am having a weird Airmatic problem for about 3-4 months now. I searched the entire forum and could not find the same problem so I am posting here.
So my 2007 E63 Driver Rear goes down (Loses air) ONLY if is NOT on the rise position (Button with UP arrow). When Im driving and do about 70 the button goes off as it should and the starts to low, but the driver rear goes down all the way. I quickly have to push the up button so the car does not go down while Im driving. The weird thing is that if the Driver rear goes down and I push the button to bring it up, I can hear the air escaping (meaning the strut won't keep the air) I will have to wait a couple of minutes or push the position buttons a couple of times, then it will hold the air.
I keep the car in the "Up" position and it will never go down. I did replace the Airmatic Valve block for another used one and I still have the same problem.
I went to a mechanic and he had a computer that checks the entire system and he did not see any electrical problems with the air system. He said the I need to replace the strut, but I'm not sure. The strut will never lose air if I keep the "UP" position button on.
Any help will be really appreciated. Thank you for your time.
So my 2007 E63 Driver Rear goes down (Loses air) ONLY if is NOT on the rise position (Button with UP arrow). When Im driving and do about 70 the button goes off as it should and the starts to low, but the driver rear goes down all the way. I quickly have to push the up button so the car does not go down while Im driving. The weird thing is that if the Driver rear goes down and I push the button to bring it up, I can hear the air escaping (meaning the strut won't keep the air) I will have to wait a couple of minutes or push the position buttons a couple of times, then it will hold the air.
I keep the car in the "Up" position and it will never go down. I did replace the Airmatic Valve block for another used one and I still have the same problem.
I went to a mechanic and he had a computer that checks the entire system and he did not see any electrical problems with the air system. He said the I need to replace the strut, but I'm not sure. The strut will never lose air if I keep the "UP" position button on.
Any help will be really appreciated. Thank you for your time.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 949
Likes: 47
From: San Diego
2004 E55
Are you able to pinpoint where the air is escaping from? Potentially it could just be an air line or compression fitting.
Seems to be sound advice to replace the strut. Swap them both if you're going with Arnotts. I'd suggest changing that sooner than later so you don't overdrive the airmatic pump.
Any codes on STAR?
Seems to be sound advice to replace the strut. Swap them both if you're going with Arnotts. I'd suggest changing that sooner than later so you don't overdrive the airmatic pump.
Any codes on STAR?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 482
Likes: 4
From: PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA
2004 MERC E55
the strut....
yeah i had a very similar problem with my 2004 e55 strut. but when i did the star "test" on the airmatic system it showed that the strut was not pressurizing up to the same level as the others. only way i could tell that i had a problem. intermittently my car would be low but when i crank her up and go thru out the day, it would be fine and stay fine for the whole week. then all of a sudden, over a weekend or when my wife just got home from work, go back out to get in and it would be low...... what i finally decided was the strut was on its way out and i took the reading from star and these "random" events as signs that the strut needed to be replaced. you can make sure that all your lines are in great shape and no leaks by doing the bubbles test on each and playing with the raising and lowering button and listening and if you can't hear anything or find anything, then the strut is slowly on its way out and whatever hole or problem, it just isnt bad enough to just leak all the way down right away or at all right now. these damn things are very expensive and no one wants to foot that bill but something you can keep an eye on and see how it goes but...... with no other problem found, the struts are the issue. but see if you can get a hold of star and run that diagnostic test on the airmatic system and see what the pressure reading is for each side. that should tell you something. hope this helps!!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Thanks a lot guys. The weird thing is that the Strut will never lose air as long as in the "UP" position. It only goes down if I lower the car in position 1 or 2.
I want to change the struts but I want to make sure that is the problem. Does anybody know anything about this company rebuildmastertech.com? They sell the pair rear struts for about $550.
Thanks a lot.
I want to change the struts but I want to make sure that is the problem. Does anybody know anything about this company rebuildmastertech.com? They sell the pair rear struts for about $550.
Thanks a lot.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
e63
Thanks a lot guys. The weird thing is that the Strut will never lose air as long as in the "UP" position. It only goes down if I lower the car in position 1 or 2.
I want to change the struts but I want to make sure that is the problem. Does anybody know anything about this company rebuildmastertech.com? They sell the pair rear struts for about $550.
Thanks a lot.
I want to change the struts but I want to make sure that is the problem. Does anybody know anything about this company rebuildmastertech.com? They sell the pair rear struts for about $550.
Thanks a lot.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 127
Likes: 14
Thanks a lot guys. The weird thing is that the Strut will never lose air as long as in the "UP" position. It only goes down if I lower the car in position 1 or 2.
I want to change the struts but I want to make sure that is the problem. Does anybody know anything about this company rebuildmastertech.com? They sell the pair rear struts for about $550.
Thanks a lot.
I want to change the struts but I want to make sure that is the problem. Does anybody know anything about this company rebuildmastertech.com? They sell the pair rear struts for about $550.
Thanks a lot.
i replaced all 4 corners + pump.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 329
Likes: 28
From: Virginia, USA
2005 c230
Do note (from another thread on the topic): As it relates to the fronts, the Arnott NEW's do not have the ability to retain your Adaptive Suspension features. Suspension will no longer automatically adjust when the road goes from smooth to rough (or vice versa) nor will your rebound/compression change when you change suspension modes between Comfort/Sport/Sport II settings. Admittedly the Arnott New's have a precalibrated setting that is a very nice combo of comfort to handling. But if having your adaptive suspension settings enabled/intact is a must for you, your options are OEM Bilsteins or remanufactured OEM (like Arnott's OEM remans).
Also, most times the pump itself is fixable. Not often the entire pump completely dies. Can be repaired easily with a kit similiar to this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-E-...72.m2749.l2649
Also, most times the pump itself is fixable. Not often the entire pump completely dies. Can be repaired easily with a kit similiar to this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-E-...72.m2749.l2649
Last edited by lseguy; Jul 16, 2018 at 01:43 PM.
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Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 125
Likes: 7
From: Monmouth County, NJ
2005 E55
Thanks a lot guys. The weird thing is that the Strut will never lose air as long as in the "UP" position. It only goes down if I lower the car in position 1 or 2.
I want to change the struts but I want to make sure that is the problem. Does anybody know anything about this company rebuildmastertech.com? They sell the pair rear struts for about $550.
Thanks a lot.
I want to change the struts but I want to make sure that is the problem. Does anybody know anything about this company rebuildmastertech.com? They sell the pair rear struts for about $550.
Thanks a lot.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
2003 E55
The airmatic is in my opinion the Achilles heel of these cars. I went to coilovers after many years of dealing with, and being stranded by airmatic problems. Do yourself a favor and get rid of the system entirely. I went with the BC racing setup and couldn't be happier, cost, ride, and reliability it is a much better choice
SPONSOR
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,647
Likes: 818
From: Worldwide
2007 Mercedes E63 AMG
if you have an appropriate scanner it can notify if one of your sensors is faulty. beyond that...i think its a little odd...maybe find a shop that has a drive up lift and have them inspect for leaks when you keep the car running and press Sport 2. they'll need a spray bottle of soapy water and some time on their hands.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Thanks a lot guys for the input. like I said, on the raised position it will never lose air, only on sports settings. Ill be ordering the rear air springs soon. Im not sure if I want to change to coilovers to be honest. My font air struts have been replaced with Arnott's from the previous owner. The rear air springs still oem.
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 978
Likes: 274
From: Fort Worth TX
2020 S560, 2014 SLK55 (Prev. 2016 S65, 2013 SLK350, 2008 CLS63, 2006 E350, 2006 CLS500, 2005 C230K)
The reason for the observed behavior is due to the air spring having multiple chambers (These are used to vary the spring rate). You have a leak in a chamber that is closed off in the raised position, you could keep it raised and never go over 69 but that is no way to live !
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 25
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Thanks, VII, so are you saying that the problem s definitely the spring or do I have a leak somewhere else? I am definitely changing the rear springs, but I want to make sure they are the problem. Thanks.
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 978
Likes: 274
From: Fort Worth TX
2020 S560, 2014 SLK55 (Prev. 2016 S65, 2013 SLK350, 2008 CLS63, 2006 E350, 2006 CLS500, 2005 C230K)
If you replace that air spring and the problem continues I shall print this post and eat it.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 949
Likes: 47
From: San Diego
2004 E55
Like VII said, you probably have an issue with one of the chambers or valves within the spring itself. Here's a quick visual. Worth noting that the Arnott springs eliminate the use of the additional volume chamber (p).
