Airmatic- W220 down on all four legs..

[DoctorGee]

I aquired this 2002 S280 a couple of weeks ago. Typical S-class ride when I test drove it- smooth as silk. After it'd been parked for two days on my driveway, I found that it had settled on all four wheels so it looked like the the old Citreon.. The warning on the dash was car too low- don't drive etc. After the engine had run a few minutes and I'd pushed the button to raise it, I heard and felt some dull thuds from behind. The car began to rise slowly after that. The warning cleared from the dash and I was able to drive off.
Now it still settles completely flat when left overnight, but I don't get the the thudding sound before it rises. The dealer I bought it from tried to convince me that the rising and settling was normal on the pre 2005 models when they got old. I wasn't convinced though. The posts I've read seem to imply that it's either the relay or the pump that's faulty- any ideas anyone?

 

[television]

It is not normal and no different to any year car with the airmatic, you have a leak somewhere and best put on STAR

 

[jibcl500]

Porous valve block about the compressor at the front. Get access to compressor and valve block, spray valve block with wd40, engine running and car at normal height then look for tiny air bubbles.

jib

 

[Frontstep]

You are a helpful lot.

 

[DoctorGee]

Thanks so much JibCL500. The only problem is, I don't know where either the valve block or compressor are. I heard this thudding from the rear the first time I got it to rise from from it's full squat. Does this have any significance?

 

[jibcl500]

Drivers front wheel arch behind the plastic splash guard, both items at front of car.

jib

 

[DoctorGee]

Sorry to sound so naive at this- but is this inside the car or under the bonnet?

 

[television]

There is a lot to it

 

[DoctorGee]

Thanks Television,
Those pictures look pretty to say the least- I think I'll take it to my Indie and have them put it on Star as you suggested..

 

[television]

Thanks Television,
Those pictures look pretty to say the least- I think I'll take it to my Indie and have them put it on Star as you suggested..

I think that would be a good idea

 

[DoctorGee]

Hello all-
Took the w220 to my indie. He found the leak was in both the front legs. It was at the top of each assembly through the resin as has been mentioned in other posts. He demonstrated this with a bit of soapy water on top of each, while he bounced on the bonnet. He proposed replacing the the top ends with the standard kit that MB have made available in recent years. His quote was £97 per leg for the kit +4 hours labour. later though, I began to wonder- couldn't I seal the cracks in the resin with some industrial type of resin? There's epoxy nowadays that's heat resistant and bonds even metal. It's the sort of stuff that bits of modern airliners are held together with.. Any thoughts?

 

[RobWheatley]

Been there, tried it, gave up and replaced the struts.
I used a 2500psi high performance epoxy and it lasted about 10 miles before blowing out the epoxy.
I had made sure it was clean and dry before applying it and left it over night to cure.