S212 rear airmatic suspection problem (intermittent)

[DoctorMesmer]

My 2015 S212 (96K miles) has an infrequent, intermittent problem with its rear airmatic suspension.

Starting about 6 months ago, I would occasionally find the car sitting very low and I'd have to let it level/inflate the air springs before I drove off. Two indy MB specialists looked at it but could't find a problem with the air springs, lines or valve blocks. One advised that I replace both air springs as a precaution but another advised against this on the basis that we didn't have enough information yet and it may not be the springs at all.

Since then, it has only happened twice, around 4 months apart. On both occasions, it was after I had started the car to move it just a few yards to free up parking space outside my house; the next day it was down at the rear. Then, after starting it up and letting the system re-level, it was fine and remained that way (even if I didn't start car for several days).

I'm guessing that the problem is likely to be a sticky valve – on the assumption that if there was a leak in one of the lines or air springs, it would always go down (especially after several days of not being used).

What do others think? Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[Oleks1992]

Have those specialists checked for leaks from pipes and air springs? Also air springs are more likely to leak in colder temperature than in warm.

 

[DoctorMesmer]

Yes, they have – and I’ve also considered temperature as a factor; the onset of autumn/winter should provide a test of that theory.

PS Doh! I’ve just noticed the typo in the title of my post – and I can no longer edit it. Sigh…