Re: Very lopsided Viano!

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chesterpiglet

Active Member
Joined
Oct 8, 2008
Messages
289
Car
Mercedes W211 E280 Cdi Sport Estate
Hi there.
I just bought a 2006 W639 Viano with a lot of problems but also a lot of good points.
1st problem to deal with is it is lopsided on the nearside wheels. Approx 2" between the wheel top & wheel arch lip on the n/s front, 3 3/4" on the o/s. 1 1/2" n/s at rear & 4" on o/s.
It doesn't sound much & my brother didn't notice but it looks very odd. It has adjustable airmatic suspension(I think)& it didn't sink or move over night. I am hoping it might be the ride height adjuster that is seized & needs cleaning or replacing. There are no warning lights on the dash(no ENR light).
Any ideas? I presume the fault is not confined to the Viano? How do I clean the ride height adjuster as a 1st possible fix? Many thanks as always Regards Rob
 
You made a great buy - its the most useful vehicle we have ever had and we have had a lot. Regarding your problem it could be nothing to do with the height adjuster and just be a leak on one side. Does the air suspension operate? You can hear it quite clearly and even sitting inside the tail gate will cause it to operate. The air suspension is only on the rear and so I would check the front suspension first and sort that out. These vehicles have often been worked very hard so well might have developed a list by a badly positioned regular heavy load.
 
I used to think mine was the same, but it was due to being parked on an unlevel surface.
 
Make sure its sat on level ground before checking but it could be leak as already mentioned or a faulty level sensor on the rear. Which is situated on the N/S rear axle
 
Many thank for all your replies. I don't think the air suspension is operating as I tried the pressing the buttons in the rear & nothing happened. I can't believe we didn't notice it & my brother who has had a Vito dualiner said it drove ok! I had been looking all year as I wanted one with the triple sunroof & the Eberspacher heater as I want to use it as a camper. It was cheap but has been a Chauffeured Airport bus so well looked after(I think). I am assuming the worst & have been looking up the prices of the compressors & the air springs. I found a pair of new Arnott springs for around £200 & the compressor for a new one ranged from £200 - £500 or a Merc one was £745 with relay. Does anybody have any advice? At the end of the day it is 12 years old & has done 290K so I certainly wont be going down a new Merc route. I have booked it into a chap who specializes in Vitos & he said it sounded as though I had a leak & the compressor had burnt out(he hasn't seen the van yet). Surely if there was that big a leak it would drop down & sag all around. It just seems to be stuck as it is in this position & hasn't moved. Another friend with an S Class said he thought it was a sticking height sensor. If it is the worst case scenario at least I know it has been properly sorted & the van was a good price so I have a few pounds to invest in it.
 
Not sure if you need to initiate the up down buttons by 1st pressing the other button, but if it's up to height the up button won't start the compressor,
the down needs to be pressed for many seconds and then listen for creaking as it drops. With your legs against the rear bumper you will feel a slow descent.

If it isn't up to height when driving there would be a dash warning.
And your headlights would aim high.

Try loading the rear to lower it and listen for the compressor, with the ignition on I imagine.
 
Pretty sure they only have air suspension at the back (standard springs at the front)? We have a 2007 W639 Vito and that's broken a couple of springs. It's hard to spot as it's the very end (that sits inside the cup) that breaks off.

As an aside my SL has adaptive damping, and when I had that checked over by a specialist they pointed out that it sat slightly lower on the offside (which I'd never noticed). They said this was completely normal on an older vehicle - it's from always having the weight of the driver present on that side.
 
I did manage to initiate it(there is a light on the dash)but nothing happened when I tried to lower it. Anyway it's booked in so I will update when he has seen it. My E Class had a new compressor & you can see that move when loaded & hear the compressor. Are there many Viano owners on here I wonder?
 
Hi all. Back from the garage..................it was a leaking rear nearside airbag which had caused the compressor to shut down(& had to be reset/started with the Star machine). Apparently both airbags were the originals & in a very poor state although one was still holding air. Had them both replaced along with a new height sensor on the n/s too which has transformed it. Great ride now, it reminds me of my Citroen XM which kind of floated along. I love my S211 but the ride is a bit firm at times. Just got to sort out all the niggly bits now including a leaking sunroof.
 
I found my leaking sun roof was blocked drains, water overflowing intothe cab.
With the sun roof open you should be able to see the drains, at the front on mine. I rodded out with wire that wasn't sharp. I guess too much shove could dislodge the flexible pipe also.
 
Thanks..................I'll go gently. It isn't pouring in but needs sorting out.
 

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