E320 Suspension airbags keep blowing

[Chris Atherton]

I have a 2005 E320 CDI Avantgarde estate (station wagon) which I bought with a leaking air bag. I have replaced the bag 4 times altogether; 3 times we put cheap bags on that lasted between 1 and 3 weeks. The 4th time we put a more expensive Dunlop bag on. This lasted 9 months but blew with a bang as I drove up a steep slope. The bag supplier says that he has only known of this happening once in 10 years, and it turned out to be a faulty compressor. Has anyone come across this problem, and what did you do to rectify it?

 

[Oldspanners]

If the failure is always on the same wheel it would seem unlikely it's the compressor.
Are there any marks on the bag or does it just split?

 

[mioba]

Do merc not sell the bag seperatly

 

[star]

Are you “setting” the base plate of the airbag correctly? Otherwise they rub and bust.

 

[Chris Atherton]

If the failure is always on the same wheel it would seem unlikely it's the compressor.
Are there any marks on the bag or does it just split?

It has been different with each bag. 2 bags seemed to develop leaks around the top of the bag, one had a cut on the side where I assume the pressure in the bag reduced and it came into contact with part of the car, and the last one had a big hole near the bottom

 

[Chris Atherton]

Are you “setting” the base plate of the airbag correctly? Otherwise they rub and bust.

I have done it once, but the other times it has been a garage. I don't remember there being a separate plate, but there is a lug that the top needs to sit in. But if that was the problem, wouldn't each bag fail in the same spot? Sometimes they have sprung a leak near the top, the last one blew a hole near the bottom

 

[Chris Atherton]

Do merc not sell the bag seperatly

I am not sure. Each time I have bought it it has come in a sort of module

 

[Uncle Benz]

Have you fitted a genuine Mercedes replacement?
Initial inflation, it’s important not to try to inflate the bag with the weight of the car on it, or it can be damaged.

I have replaced literally hundreds of these. I always follow the proceedure, never had a comeback. I have fitted a few pattern bags too, without issue. Either something on the car is rubbing, or proceedure isn’t being followed

 

[Uncle Benz]

To add, if I am fitting non-genuine bags I always replace both. There can be mismatch issues if you mix. If original bags are fitted I will fit one Mercedes replacement if the customer has a tight budget.

 

[Chris Atherton]

After replacing the bag yet again (this time with a genuine second hand bag) it lasted for quite a while, but a Mercedes specialist told me that my original fault could be down to an intermittent fault with the ride height level sensor. So I have replaced that, and put 2 new bags on, but now the car will not raise at the back at all. The sensor seems to be working as it shows a warning sign on the display (Stop - Car Too Low) And when connected to a diagnostic tool it shows data. Also, it doesn't seem to be the compressor, as it can be forced to rise using the diagnostic tool. Does something need to be reset after receiving the warning message "Visit Workshop"?