W220 Airmatic supporting car when not in use? Any thoughts?

[FranksMerc]

Hi,
I will sometimes need to leave my s500 W220 unused for a few weeks at a time, meaning that, currently, the car sinks to the lowest position on its Airmatic suspension (super low-rider look). I was wondering whether there is any advantage to perhaps supporting the car on 4 wooden blocks when parking it up prior to leaving it, so that it drops a little as the air escapes from the suspension, but does not sink all the way down to its very minimum, rather it comes to a gentle rest on the 4 blocks positioned under the jacking points, for example. Any thoughts from those in the know would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Steve320]

Can't answer that from the technical perspective, but practically, living abroad and only getting home every 8 - 10 weeks as I have done for the last two years, hasn't caused me any problems with my W211 'e' class that has airmatic.

Car stays in a garage, connected to a ctek trickle charger, starts on first fire, and suspension rises to ride height.

 

[merc85]

Could put it on Axle stands, would also stop flat spot on the tyres.

 

[FranksMerc]

Thanks for that..though putting it on axle stands would mean jacking it up first. I just wanted to put 4 made-to-measure blocks under the car, perhaps an inch below the height when fully pumped up, then let them take the weight off, as it were, when the body drops down. It looks so bad when the car is at its lowest, and I am wondering whether there is an adverse effect on the suspension struts when allowed to sink so low and stay there for a few weeks at a time, etc.?

 

[whitenemesis]

Perhaps you should find out why it's sinking and fix it?

 

[FranksMerc]

I thought that was what it was supposed to do..or is it meant to stay up indefinitely? I replaced the valve block recently, which meant the car no longer sags at the rear so soon (within half an hour before the repair) but the whole car drops down after a couple of days at rest.

 

[John]

It should stay the same ride height all the time - or at least mine on Airmatic does.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Mine never sank.

 

[mick wakelin]

Hi
Apologies if this is a little off topic, I have not used this forum for some while. I have just bought a damaged 2015 W212 E220 estate AMG version and the rear air suspension is down, the car has been standing with the battery disconnected for some weeks and there is a possibility of damage underneath I have not had a chance to get it on ramps yet but in the meantime can anyone help in advising as to where the pneumatic pump and associated electronics is located to give me a head start tomorrow. Are there any diagrams or drawings I can obtain to assist in this fix.
Many thanks
Mick

 

[perrysock]

I'm using 4 wooden blocks if the car sits without motion for more than a week.
Less flat spotting on the tires and air compressor seems not coming on so often and the battery not getting flat(so far).
I recommend as a good practice
As others recommend check why it sinks

 

[zipdip]

Hi
Apologies if this is a little off topic, I have not used this forum for some while. I have just bought a damaged 2015 W212 E220 estate AMG version and the rear air suspension is down, the car has been standing with the battery disconnected for some weeks and there is a possibility of damage underneath I have not had a chance to get it on ramps yet but in the meantime can anyone help in advising as to where the pneumatic pump and associated electronics is located to give me a head start tomorrow. Are there any diagrams or drawings I can obtain to assist in this fix.
Many thanks
Mick

Mick the air suspension pump may well be at the nearside just behind the front bumper it feeds a air tank which is always near by,some tec may be able to correct me but the pump has about 6 secs to fill the air tank if air is needed to the suspension, failure to do this will result in a fault code it mainly comes up if the pump is worn out,there is a relay that also needs changing I am sure there is a fuse diagram on the site not sure where .

 

[LTD]

On my W220 S500, the Airmatic pump was on the drivers side in the space behind the front wing. The liner need to come off and all will become apparent.

I had a leaking valve block that caused the suspension to drop over a period and eventually led to a pump failure.

 

[french]

Mine did all sorts , went to high , limp mode , down on the ground ...new pump all good just stays as normal car. One thing don't bother with those E bay kits , "O" ring does not fit & is made of silicon so leaks pretty quickly, also the bore may be scored so piston ring (laugh) wears real quick. Good luck.

 

[Alex Richardson]

Staying at home for two months should not create any problem. If it does, then you should take to spin few times. I mean you must have someone who can look after it for you. Just once a week will be more than enough.

 

[Grob]

Used to leave mine for weeks on ends and never really sank. Definitely have a leak somewhere

 

[bh13coupe]

Staying at home for two months should not create any problem. If it does, then you should take to spin few times. I mean you must have someone who can look after it for you. Just once a week will be more than enough.

or just have it fired up for 20 minutes every so often, that will exercise the system without anyone driving it.
My R-Class had a leaking bag which may have been masked by the compressor working overtime to compensate. I walked out one morning and the right rear had dropped 5 inches. that was from an overnight time frame so i new it needed nailing ASAP. I ended up having both Bags replaced and its been fine so far. If you dont want to buy OEM bags for around £400 a pop u can source Arnott for around half that price.
i hope u can get it fixed without too much faffing about

 

[Borys]

Merc has solenoids within shocks. Key out of ignition and car blocks its height.
On audis for example you need to go to jack mode via MMI to take it up the ramp , merc does it automatically.Merc Should never sink if does there is a leak.

 

[John]

merc does it automatically.Merc Should never sink if does there is a leak.

So what causes them to sink which we see on here from time to time?

 

[TKvS]

I can't vouch for the authenticity of this....but the specialist that does my servicing says 'there are always suspension problems if you leave them lying without using them'...one of the reasons I avoided airmatic....I spend up to 6 months away at times in the Far East...don't need problems like that when I come back to the UK.

 

[bh13coupe]

So what causes them to sink which we see on here from time to time?

the bags are rubber, they move and perish over time, throw in mud, grit and temp changes, all these factors will impact a rubber moving part.