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Old 04-25-2020, 02:53 AM
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Air suspension

What‘s up guys, another thread during these lockdown times as I‘m trying to get my car fully fit.

Of course, it‘s the dreaded air suspension. I read every thread on here that I found, some of the info helped, but not all of it, so here‘s my specific case.

A bit of a backstory - I changed both of the front springs for Arnott‘s about 4 years ago. Worked great. Some time ago they started deflating, but always pumped up to full when I started the car, so I didn‘t think too much about it. Until one day I came to my car and they were completely down and didn‘t want to pump up until I pressed the height switch a bunch of times. At this point I started noticing that the pump was being more noisy than usual

So I took it apart and found a leak in the connector where the hose goes into. I emailed Arnott about it and they were amazing to send me two pieces free of charge. Some days ago I exchanged them on both sides, just to be sure. After putting it back together, the car pumped up again up to where it is supposed to be. Perfect I thought! But no, the pump was still being more noisy. So I did some research and found a recommended repair set on the pump here. Ordered it, waiting for it to come, hoping it will help.

Buuuut, the first few days after I fixed it I was driving around more so I didn‘t notice anything about the suspension dropping. Until yesterday when it was dropped again. This time it wasn‘t fully dropped, but I can still barely get more than a finger between the wheel and the fender. I was at a loss as I checked both for leaks when I had them taken apart to change the connector. I pumped it up and then noticed, on the front right side, for a few seconds after they are pumped up there is a bit of a hiss as if there was a leak.

Is there anything on that side of the car that can be making such a sound after the engine is turned off? I have taken it apart twice already and can‘t find a leak anywhere on or around the spring. Or can it be due to the pump not being at full strength anymore? Or does something need to be reset with the suspension (FYI the height adjust button doesn‘t work, it just goes into the middle position and stays there)?
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Old 04-25-2020, 09:43 AM
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If it's just the front (I'm having this same problem), I'd have a look at the large air reservoir and solenoid/valve located under the truck on the passenger side (right hand side on LHD vehicles). I purchased a good used unit and am going to be replacing, first the valve, and then the tank itself if need be.

I'm not sure about your noisy pump. It could be time for a rebuild. Mine is pretty quiet after I rebuilt mine, but you can still hear it inside the cabin if there is no music on and not moving.
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Old 04-26-2020, 01:27 PM
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So I spent some more time looking into it. Couldn’t find one leak on or around the springs. The hissing has to be coming from somewhere around the engine, as it’s only audible when I turn off the car.

Looks like I’ll just have to be patient and wait for my pump repair kit and diagnostic set to arrive (might take a while with the full lockdown here) and then look at it further. Luckily it’s still usable.
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Old 04-26-2020, 02:03 PM
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This is the accumulator tank and valve that I was referencing. You should listen in this area to see if you hear anything. I purchased a used replacement valve (and tank because it came together) and am going to do some inspection as soon as I can get it into the garage. I'll update here and in my own thread in case it's helpful for your issue.

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...tml#post933657

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Old 05-17-2020, 07:46 AM
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So, good news - I finally got my INPA diagnostic up and running. Bad news - the air suspension is showing no errors. I managed to get the following readings out of it, for the more experienced here does anything seem of?

As I had it connected, I saw how the height was dropping in the few minutes I was tinkering with it. I also received my repair kit for the pump, which I will go replace next, but somehow am starting to believe that either there is a leak somewhere else that I can’t reach, or it’s the issue with the reservoir mentioned above.
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Old 05-17-2020, 09:05 AM
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Check the sensor readings when you raise or drop the suspension if they are showing reasonable figures. Failed EHC2 control modules are also quite typical.
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Old 05-17-2020, 10:13 AM
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Just replaced my valve that I referenced above. So far, 12 hours and no drooping/sagging of the front end. Fingers crossed that continues. It's a good sign though as my front end would be sitting on the tires after sitting overnight.

It's worth a check for sure. My front end was dropping at the same rate so I replaced the only thing that has both front spring air lines on it. Good luck with yours.

Edit: I did not hear any audible air leaks from the valve. You could try soapy water but listening alone did not yield any useful info. I disassembled it and it looks like the main seal had flattened and is not sealing but I can't be sure unless I pressurize it somehow.

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Nav, DSP, Pano, Running Boards, OEM Tow Hitch, Cold Weather Pckg (Purchased 08/15 w/ 90,500 miles)

2010 X5 35d Build 02/10
Nav, HiFi, 6 DVD, Sports Pckg, Cold Weather Pckg, HUD, CAS, Running Boards, Leather Dash, PDC, Pano (Purchased 03/17 w/ 136,120 miles)

Last edited by crystalworks; 05-17-2020 at 11:06 AM.
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Old 05-17-2020, 11:21 AM
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So little update. I carried out the kit fix for the compressor in the trunk. Definitely was part of the issue, as it’s almost silent now, before it started getting pretty damn loud. I also managed to reset the ECU, which finally brought back control to the suspension buttons. They work, go up and down without any issue at all.

I am going to leave it for a bit to see if it’s starts sagging, but I still seem to hear some kind of hiss (lasts maybe 5-7 seconds) on the right side of the car whenever I turn off the engine. Can’t tell if it’s something normal or something related to my issue.

Quote:
Originally Posted by crystalworks View Post
Just replaced my valve that I referenced above. So far, 12 hours and no drooping/sagging of the front end. Fingers crossed that continues. It's a good sign though as my front end would be sitting on the tires after sitting overnight.

It's worth a check for sure. My front end was dropping at the same rate so I replaced the only thing that has both front spring air lines on it. Good luck with yours.

Edit: I did not hear any audible air leaks from the valve. You could try soapy water but listening alone did not yield any useful info. I disassembled it and it looks like the main seal had flattened and is not sealing but I can't be sure unless I pressurize it somehow.

Nice, hope it holds up for you, keep us posted please!

Was it a difficult process to get it changed? Would you mind sharing the part number? I don’t know if I’m searching for the wrong thing, but I’m having troubles finding it.
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Old 05-17-2020, 11:44 AM
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Sure, the part number is: 37246779713.

Here is a link to the TIS repair procedure for the valve. Follow this one, the one for the accumulator, and the one for draining/filling the system. If you follow directions there won't be any need for re calibration of the system. Or at least there wasn't in my case.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...ulator/EPfFxDn

It's more tedious than difficult to drop the tank. And you pretty much have to drop the tank to remove the valve as I guarantee the mounting posts for the valve will be seized. The hardest part of the whole procedure is removing the long plastic windage tray.
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Nav, Pano, Sport (Purchased 06/14 w/ 109,000 miles) (Sold 8/15 w/121,000 miles)


2006 X5 4.8is Build 11/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, DSP, Pano, Running Boards, OEM Tow Hitch, Cold Weather Pckg (Purchased 08/15 w/ 90,500 miles)

2010 X5 35d Build 02/10
Nav, HiFi, 6 DVD, Sports Pckg, Cold Weather Pckg, HUD, CAS, Running Boards, Leather Dash, PDC, Pano (Purchased 03/17 w/ 136,120 miles)

Last edited by crystalworks; 05-17-2020 at 11:52 AM.
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Old 05-18-2020, 03:14 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crystalworks View Post
Sure, the part number is: 37246779713.

Here is a link to the TIS repair procedure for the valve. Follow this one, the one for the accumulator, and the one for draining/filling the system. If you follow directions there won't be any need for re calibration of the system. Or at least there wasn't in my case.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...ulator/EPfFxDn

It's more tedious than difficult to drop the tank. And you pretty much have to drop the tank to remove the valve as I guarantee the mounting posts for the valve will be seized. The hardest part of the whole procedure is removing the long plastic windage tray.
Thanks! They seem to be a bit difficult to order around here currently, I’ll go check if I can find any kind of leaks on it.

Above you said that overnight your front would be dropped. Did you mean that it would fall all the way onto the wheel? I had that happen the last time I had a leak, I don’t think I could even fit a paper above the wheel. But now, it doesn’t drop all the way, I can still easily fit my finger in there. I’m thinking if there was a leak it would go down all the way, no?

I’m going to try to diagnose the sensors next as mentioned above.
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