P38A BACK ON AIR - WHATS RQD?

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PastyMuncher83

Active Member
Posts
249
Location
South Somerset
Afternoon Chaps,

After the successful Re-Coding of the BECM, thanks to you all especially Rick The Pick and Mozz, whom ive yet to deliver any pasty's too!
I have just replaced front diff & transfer box seals so now on a non leaking RR, which is a first!

I am am now looking at putting her back on air. So am trying to compile a list of what parts i need to buy.

Currently in the process of getting a refund on the Cellular Dynamic Britpart Shocks that see me bottoming out going over a speed hump! The conversion to springs was already done when i bought the car. By the looks of things it has had this kit fitted-

http://www.island-4x4.co.uk/coil-spring-conversion-9502-britpart-da4136-p-259.html

The compressor is still there, whats the best way to can test its operation? Currently its been left unplugged.

Seems like all the height sensors are also present.

Other then the 4 airbags, is there anything else i should be checking to see that i might need?

Many Thanks in advance :)
 
Afternoon Chaps,

After the successful Re-Coding of the BECM, thanks to you all especially Rick The Pick and Mozz, whom ive yet to deliver any pasty's too!
I have just replaced front diff & transfer box seals so now on a non leaking RR, which is a first!

I am am now looking at putting her back on air. So am trying to compile a list of what parts i need to buy.

Currently in the process of getting a refund on the Cellular Dynamic Britpart Shocks that see me bottoming out going over a speed hump! The conversion to springs was already done when i bought the car. By the looks of things it has had this kit fitted-

http://www.island-4x4.co.uk/coil-spring-conversion-9502-britpart-da4136-p-259.html

The compressor is still there, whats the best way to can test its operation? Currently its been left unplugged.

Seems like all the height sensors are also present.

Other then the 4 airbags, is there anything else i should be checking to see that i might need?

Many Thanks in advance :)

See testing compressor in "How to "section. Sorry Technical Archive as it is now known. You need to make sure all pipework is in place and usable may need blowing through to clear and acquired sh!te.
 
I suspect you'll find it is all there. However, you need to work out what was wrong with it before they felt driven to convert. For that you'll need a cable and Storey Wilson's software by PMing Datatek if he's still willing to make one. He'll do it cheaper than anyone else.

Next you need RAVE because that will explain what is where. From memory there is a storage tank under the driver's seat. Under the bonnet there is a box on the passenger wing. Inside that should be a compressor and valve block with driver pack bolted to it. From the valve block there's a dog-leg to a dryer. That dryer will have probably got wet by now but they're cheap as chips.

To check the compressor see Wammer's How To in the technical section. PM KurtJohnson about an air-compressor if yours doesn't work as he had one in the For Sale section recently. If the compressor works then pump it up to extended ride-height, pull the delay timer and see which corner drops to see where the leak is.

I think one of the Wills reversed his back onto springs recently.
 
I'm doing this also it's cost a small fortune (I've bought new tho) best way to look at it is why was it converted in the first place? Just leaky bags? Doubtful a new set of bags is only just more expensive than a coil kit. It's likely to be a mixture of the bags and valves which then burnt the pump out...
 
Ok all good info thanks.

Looks like it could be quite a time consuming endeavour. Will make a start on it and see what's what. May try some different shocks for the time being.
 
They will have fitted a bypass loom which will need pulling out. It goes from EAS ECU to BECM..
If the EAS box is there, then they probably left every thing in place. Normally folks pull the EAS to sell to recover costs of conversion. Get a seal refurb kit on eBay (the whole kit is 40odd quid) to replace all seals in the compressor and valve block.
4 airbags plus pins are about £250. Then all you need is time to put it all back together.

Seals
Airbags
 
The EAS box is still there luckily. Where would I find the EAS ecu?

Also if I take the plunge, refurb the valve block, pump and fit all the airbags. Only at this stage will I find out what/if there's a problem.

Will I be able to drive the car or is it a no no if the bags won't inflate?
 
Ok Good stuff, sounds promising, thanks.

Hopefully £300 a days work and fingers crossed will be back to how it was designed.

I just need to read up and understand the system now. I've seen 4 bags on Island 4x4 around £180 plus VAT. Are they're any particular bags I should go for or not?
 
The EAS box is still there luckily. Where would I find the EAS ecu?

Also if I take the plunge, refurb the valve block, pump and fit all the airbags. Only at this stage will I find out what/if there's a problem.

Will I be able to drive the car or is it a no no if the bags won't inflate?

You can drive it on bump stops but not recommended if you have fillings in your teeth. So no not really unless you are a masochist. Also when fitting the bags you need to put air in them before the car is lowered or you can knacker them up. They will not fold properly and could get detached from their mounts.
 
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Ok all good knowledge. Will get stuck in think first things first to invest in a compressor check all the lines and test the compressor. Get the refurb kit, order the bags and go from there. Cheers again all
 
You wouldn't normally need a new compressor, only a piston seal and cylinder kit. Also, get a set of emergency inflation valves. These attach to the ends of the supply lines to the airbags and lets you inflate them with a tire pump. That means you can drive in safety and comfort even if the system doesn't function properly the first time. Simply get a cheapo 12v tire pump which runs off your cigarette lighter and inflate each corner until it looks about right and level and the pressure is even across each axle.
Good luck!
 
Just a quick update. Everything bar the bags seems present and correct. I have removed the compressor and bench tested it using Wammers guide, many thanks, and seems to be running well and kicking out plenty of puff.
Haven't had a chance, to drain the storage tank as yet, but seems like it was only converted 12 months ago so hopefully not too corroded.
I am going to refurb the valve block with new O-rings, fit the emergency inflation valves, thanks Henrik97, and hopefully by the end of next month order the bags and take the plunge.

Will let you know how I get on, thanks for all the advice. I've high hopes for the ride quality of the EAS and hope it'll be worth all the hassle.
 
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