Help Needed / AirMatic Enquiry

[NicesS212indaUK]

Hello gents,


What could cause an AirMatic car to drop over night, only when previously driven in sport ?
As in, the car only drops (right, rear) when I drive it with the sport suspension setting and park it while still in sport.

I know, a leak right? But there's no "car raising" message after start, and it NEVER drops if it's on Comfort, or raised. I asked around some specialist garages and they "confirmed" it's definitely a leak; I have a strong gut feeling this is not the case.

The car had a 4-wheel alignment recently and that's when I first noticed the rear dropping. More specifically, only the right wheel was adjusted on the back, and that's the side that drops, completely; I reckon the left is not affected as there is a 1-2 inches difference.

Ride height sensors that need a reset? What do you think?



Regards,
XandeR

 

[AndrewOl]

The most likely thing is a leak. The airbags fold in on themselves so depending on the ride height a pin hole may or may not be sealed by the fold. This is where road grit tends to accumulate creating the leak in the first place usually.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Hello gents,


What could cause an AirMatic car to drop over night, only when previously driven in sport ?
As in, the car only drops (right, rear) when I drive it with the sport suspension setting and park it while still in sport.

I know, a leak right? But there's no "car raising" message after start, and it NEVER drops if it's on Comfort, or raised. I asked around some specialist garages and they "confirmed" it's definitely a leak; I have a strong gut feeling this is not the case.

The car had a 4-wheel alignment recently and that's when I first noticed the rear dropping. More specifically, only the right wheel was adjusted on the back, and that's the side that drops, completely; I reckon the left is not affected as there is a 1-2 inches difference.

Ride height sensors that need a reset? What do you think?



Regards,
XandeR

If it is the ride height sensor then I would expect that to manifest as an issue when driving, and not when parked. Did it start immediately after the alignment, or was it some time soon afterwards?

If it’s been looked at professionally and they can’t find an issue then I would be tempted to keep it in comfort and see if it ever drops, to help remove any red herrings which could lead to rabbit holes.

Regardless I would avoid parking in sport as when it drops it will put stress on other components.

 

[NicesS212indaUK]

If it is the ride height sensor then I would expect that to manifest as an issue when driving, and not when parked. Did it start immediately after the alignment, or was it some time soon afterwards?

Regardless I would avoid parking in sport as when it drops it will put stress on other components.

That's when I first noticed it, after the alignment; mind you, I only had the car for 24 hrs - could it have been there already? Couldn't tell ya.

Currently, it's been parked on raised for over 4 days, not a mm of drop. Also, had it for a week on comfort - same result. Weird....!

 

[NicesS212indaUK]

The most likely thing is a leak. The airbags fold in on themselves so depending on the ride height a pin hole may or may not be sealed by the fold. This is where road grit tends to accumulate creating the leak in the first place usually.

That makes sense, yeah ...but isn't it weird mine is doing it when in sport? Following that logic, the pin hole would be exposed when the bags would unfold and thus the leak should happen with the suspension raised.

 

[AndrewOl]

Really just depends where the fold in the bag is. My GL would drop one rear corner seemingly randomly. When I took the bag off and tested it you could see bubbles from the fold area. Not a tear or anything just kind of abraded by road grit in the fold. The manufacturer says to jet wash and extend the bag every now and then.

 

[suty455]

Really just depends where the fold in the bag is. My GL would drop one rear corner seemingly randomly. When I took the bag off and tested it you could see bubbles from the fold area. Not a tear or anything just kind of abraded by road grit in the fold. The manufacturer says to jet wash and extend the bag every now and then.

Mine did the same randomly one Day it would drop then not do it for a week and then drop again, usually in colder weather but not always, anyway as everything else checked and no bubbles could be seen on the pipes and unions with soapy water I bit the bullet and changed the rear bags and its been fine ever since ( touchs wood!) it is full Airmatic as well

 

[zipdip]

Well get a new ride height sensor on that side set up with star and put your idea into play,if that side still goes down get both the rear bags replaced

 

[suty455]

Well get a new ride height sensor on that side set up with star and put your idea into play,if that side still goes down get both the rear bags replaced

you wont see any messages as once you open the car or disarm the alarm the onboard system wakes up and refills the bag from the onboard tank, if you disarm it whilst its down and stand next to it you will see it rise normally takes a second or two, however be advised the leak small as it is will cause your pump to wear out quicker as it is constantly topping up