Can I drive it?

Lazylabs · Oct 29, 2014

Hi All.

Newbie on stage. Be gentle.

Just got myself a 98 s reg p38 4.6.

All in good nick apart from one of the rear air suspension bag is leaking. Currently on its bump stop. The rest are ok. I'm planning on replacing them all when I get the car home. So here are the questions:

Can I drive it home with one of the corners on its bump stop?

If I do drive it home do I need to disable the eas to stop the compressor running and stop it from going into limp mode?

Thanks in advance.

Al

lammie81 · Oct 29, 2014

If you start it and all the doors are closed - does it go up again?

Sometimes it also helps to press that button to take it to extended height to raise it from the bumps

Usually it's just a small leak and you can drive it.

Mine went down on the one side overnight and when I started it went up and stayed there for the duration of the day.

I took the bag out and filled it with some tyre sealant and never had any problems again - its worth a try!

tomcat59alan · Oct 29, 2014

Depends on how far and if you value your fillings. I wouldn't recommend the tyre sealer.

Saint.V8 · Oct 29, 2014

As Alan says, can be driven, just not a million miles and not at great speed....

As for the tyre filler method, as an emergency fix OK, but longer term than just to get home - I wouldn't recommend

Datatek · Oct 29, 2014

Tyre sealer could be very dangerous if the bag lets go at speed. It would be safer if less comfortable if you dropped all for corners, you can do this with the EAS diagnostics (I can supply) or you can pull the pipes at the EAS valve block, if you do this, pull the compressor fuse.
I've done 50 miles on the bump stops, not to be recomended but doable.

ukadamwest · Oct 29, 2014

to be perfectly honest, if you take a trolley jack, long nose pliers and a long pry bar you can change a rear airbag in minutes rather than bugger about with a journey on the bump stops.

Either way, the datatek tool is worth having for the little cost it is

I've done 50 miles on the bump stops, not to be recomended but doable.

you must have smooth roads around your way. 100 yards on bump stop around the surrey hills is like a fairground ride.

Lazylabs · Oct 29, 2014

Ah ok well my journey would be 200 miles. So looks replacement on site is required. That's cool I'll pop into my brothers and commendear his garage for a few hours.

I'd be very interested in the datatek tool. Is there a post with the info available?

Datatek · Oct 29, 2014

Lazylabs said:
Ah ok well my journey would be 200 miles. So looks replacement on site is required. That's cool I'll pop into my brothers and commendear his garage for a few hours.

I'd be very interested in the datatek tool. Is there a post with the info available?

I've sent you a PM with info.

Grrrrrr · Oct 29, 2014

If 1 bag has gone do all 4. I used Island 4x4 and found them fast and reasonable. Plan on 30 minutes a corner.

Datatek · Oct 29, 2014

Grrrrrr said:
If 1 bag has gone do all 4. I used Island 4x4 and found them fast and reasonable. Plan on 30 minutes a corner.

Unless they have the old alloy end caps in which case it can take hours to do one rear if they have corroded in

IMO Arnott Gen II's are worth the extra if you plan keeping the car long term.

Lazylabs · Oct 29, 2014

Only had quick look for spares and noticed Dunlop ones on certain site. These not rated then?

rodntod · Oct 29, 2014

Dunlop are fine and are original equipment .

Datatek · Oct 30, 2014

rodntod said:
Dunlop are fine and are original equipment .

They are but Arnotts are just a little better

Grrrrrr · Oct 30, 2014

Datatek said:
They are but Arnotts are just a little better

Quite a bit more expensive though?

Lazylabs · Oct 30, 2014

Yes so I'm seeing. Plus loads of mixed reviews about the gen 2's.

What the likely hood that the airline pipes to the spring bags have gone?

I've had the operation check by a friend as I've not been able to as yet and he is saying the bags are trying to inflate but are not. So I'm presuming the bags have a leak. Previous owner said he heard a pop when he hit a hole then the rear went onto it's bump stop.

If one bag is leaking or has a hole in it does that stop the others being able to inflate?

rodntod · Oct 30, 2014

Lazylabs said:
Yes so I'm seeing. Plus loads of mixed reviews about the gen 2's.

What the likely hood that the airline pipes to the spring bags have gone?

I've had the operation check by a friend as I've not been able to as yet and he is saying the bags are trying to inflate but are not. So I'm presuming the bags have a leak. Previous owner said he heard a pop when he hit a hole then the rear went onto it's bump stop.

If one bag is leaking or has a hole in it does that stop the others being able to inflate?

If you leave it running for 10 mins with the door open then close it and see if it tries to rise.Needs time to store air in the tank before it can send it through to the airbags.

Datatek · Oct 31, 2014

Grrrrrr said:
Quite a bit more expensive though?

Not when I bought mine

Lazylabs said:
Yes so I'm seeing. Plus loads of mixed reviews about the gen 2's.

What the likely hood that the airline pipes to the spring bags have gone?

I've had the operation check by a friend as I've not been able to as yet and he is saying the bags are trying to inflate but are not. So I'm presuming the bags have a leak. Previous owner said he heard a pop when he hit a hole then the rear went onto it's bump stop.

If one bag is leaking or has a hole in it does that stop the others being able to inflate?

If one bag has a leak, it will drain the pressure from the system when trying to inflate, you may get some movement on the others if there is enough pressure in the tank to start with.
All 4 should be replaced, not just one.
Pipes can melt if the exhaust has a small blow, otherwise they are not a problem.

Lazylabs · Oct 31, 2014

That's good news. I shall be replacing the rears when I pick it up. Then hopefully get it home and do the other two when back at my place.

So for the short journey to my brothers ill drop it onto all for bumps? Via datatek tool.

Is this straight forward to do via the tool? Do I need to stop the system from trying to inflate?

vilguy · Oct 31, 2014

I drove mine 200 miles on its bump stops after it went into limp mode, i wouldnt recommend it though. I was nigh on physically sick on the way back.

The motorway is NOT smooth at 60 mph on its bump stops!

Datatek · Oct 31, 2014

Lazylabs said:
That's good news. I shall be replacing the rears when I pick it up. Then hopefully get it home and do the other two when back at my place.

So for the short journey to my brothers ill drop it onto all for bumps? Via datatek tool.

Is this straight forward to do via the tool? Do I need to stop the system from trying to inflate?

You can easily depressurize the system with the EAS software but you still need to either pull the compressor fuse, or the timer relay under the passenger seat or I think you can use the software to put it in transport mode, ie locked. I'd pull the fuse to be sure.

Can I drive it?

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