P38A Unrepairable EAS fault after side steps fitted?

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Montyjohn said:
Not looking for an argument, just a suggestion. If it did fail due to being on the 2 post ramp, there's a clue in there what problem(s) the car might have had before it went on the ramp.


Do you find it on bump stops over night? I assume not as you said it was working fine before. So if it's not normally leaking, the only reason for the bags to fully deflate on the ramp is if they had damage that is only able to leak when fully extended. If this is the case, your bags were on borrowed time.
I wouldn't expect an MOT to pick this sort of thing up. They just check if things work at the time of the MOT, not if lifting it int he air could disturb something.
Click to expand...
10 years ago it failed an MOT due to an EAS fault that appeared at the time of the MOT, caused by leaking bags. All 4 bags were then replaced with new Dunlops. They have been perfect until now. I (as we al do) spend a lot of time under the car staring up, so I am sure I would have noticed deterioration again...
 
If they are 10 years old, they probably could do with replacing. Easy job to DIY, and about £290 for four Dunlops from Island4x4.
Best get the clips as well in case your snap when removing.
 
marjon said:
It would be easier to do all the connector checking after you can confirm leaky bags or not, first IMO.
Put the emergency valves back on and get 60-70psi in them, drive it home, or confirm a proper leak.
Your communication issues with diagnostics will need to be sorted as you need to recalibrate the 2 new rear sensors, but start with the system holding air at height.

J
Click to expand...
I need to do both. It is not inflating at all, well at least not lifting. That could be the hard fault causing the problem.
I think I need to establish good comms and also check the bags. I may be able to reset the hard fault, then test for leaks.
If I need to inflate to jack it up and check each bag manually then I will need to put some air in again to do that.
 
JamesBB said:
10 years ago it failed an MOT due to an EAS fault that appeared at the time of the MOT, caused by leaking bags. All 4 bags were then replaced with new Dunlops. They have been perfect until now. I (as we al do) spend a lot of time under the car staring up, so I am sure I would have noticed deterioration again...
Click to expand...
The deterioration is often where the bags fold under and not easily seen.
 
Datatek said:
The deterioration is often where the bags fold under and not easily seen.
Click to expand...
With the fact that the 2 fronts certainly look folded over, I am guessing the only way to properly inspect these is by physically removing them and putting a little air in manually then washing them over with soapy water?

The rear is so low I can not see under at the moment.
I will start at the front and if all is ok re-install or replace.
 
4 off shrader valves is what you need. Ebay has them. You disconnect the lines at the valve block and fit them on the lines, then use a normal tyre inflater to pump up the springs.
 
These, 6mm.
Screenshot_20240223_073229_eBay.jpg
 
@JamesBB before you remove the bags, try the following. You can do one end at a time if you want.

1) pull the airlines from the valve block, and fit the schrader valves.
2) put the axle on stands & remove the wheels for access
3) now jack the car up a bit off the bump stops (about 50mm between axle & bump stop), so the bags have room to expand.
4) put air in the bags using tyre inflator or workshop compressor.
5) the bags should start to expand back to their normal shape.
6) if required raise the car a little more to allow the bags more room.

If this doesn't work, you are now in the ideal state to access the bags & remove them for your bench idea !!

Remember if the clips are still ok, the bags cannot separate from the mounting pads, so should pull the folds out.
 
Update (or not)
Well my car has been stranded outside a family member's house since this happened.
I have found it difficult to find the time to get there and spend time on it, but when I do its a 6-7 hour round trip.
I have soldered some of the connections behind the kick panels, but its a long job as there are so many and there have been so many other things going on in life its hard to find the time.
My plan is to go through the advice above, sitting it on stands, manually pumping it up with a shop compressor for now.
I will order 4 new springs ahead of time and swap them out as I find damaged or leaking bags.
At that point I hope to be able to drive it the long drive back to where I now live and then finish the job at home.
It seems the Dunlop bags do not last as long as I would expect, at this rate maybe they are no better than Britpart bags...? Thoughts?
Cheers
 
JamesBB said:
Update (or not)
Well my car has been stranded outside a family member's house since this happened.
I have found it difficult to find the time to get there and spend time on it, but when I do its a 6-7 hour round trip.
I have soldered some of the connections behind the kick panels, but its a long job as there are so many and there have been so many other things going on in life its hard to find the time.
My plan is to go through the advice above, sitting it on stands, manually pumping it up with a shop compressor for now.
I will order 4 new springs ahead of time and swap them out as I find damaged or leaking bags.
At that point I hope to be able to drive it the long drive back to where I now live and then finish the job at home.
It seems the Dunlop bags do not last as long as I would expect, at this rate maybe they are no better than Britpart bags...? Thoughts?
Cheers
Click to expand...
Get it pumped upto height and then pull the big eas relay under the passenger seat, this will isolate the system allowing you to drive it home and get stuck into the problem at home👍
 
JamesBB said:
Update (or not)
Well my car has been stranded outside a family member's house since this happened.
I have found it difficult to find the time to get there and spend time on it, but when I do its a 6-7 hour round trip.
I have soldered some of the connections behind the kick panels, but its a long job as there are so many and there have been so many other things going on in life its hard to find the time.
My plan is to go through the advice above, sitting it on stands, manually pumping it up with a shop compressor for now.
I will order 4 new springs ahead of time and swap them out as I find damaged or leaking bags.
At that point I hope to be able to drive it the long drive back to where I now live and then finish the job at home.
It seems the Dunlop bags do not last as long as I would expect, at this rate maybe they are no better than Britpart bags...? Thoughts?
Cheers
Click to expand...

Dunlop seem to last about 8 years but they're made under license in China. Had issues with Arnott 2 from Europe so wouldn't recommend those. Arnott 3 from the States are decent but cost a smegging fortune. I reckon you'd be licky to see 5 years out of Britpart, assuming the end cap doesn't pop off in tge first 6 weeks.
 
You could drive it while on the bump stops. I did 137 miles with mine at 50 mph. Just slow down for any uneven spots in the road like entries/exits of bridges. If it starts bouncing you need to slow right down.
 
Grrrrrr said:
Dunlop seem to last about 8 years but they're made under license in China. Had issues with Arnott 2 from Europe so wouldn't recommend those. Arnott 3 from the States are decent but cost a smegging fortune. I reckon you'd be licky to see 5 years out of Britpart, assuming the end cap doesn't pop off in tge first 6 weeks.
Click to expand...
The OEM design life of the air springs was 8 years 80K miles.
 
if the wheels were hanging and the air escaped from the bags when the car was lowered the bags could have folded and could nnot be pumped up
 
ovalandrover said:
if the wheels were hanging and the air escaped from the bags when the car was lowered the bags could have folded and could nnot be pumped up
Click to expand...
I suspect that may be the case.
Question is now..... What do I do to just get it moved and usable over winter.....?

Coil springs = No. Pointless.
Dunlop bags = Seem to last a little longer than Britparts.
Britpart bags = Need to change in next year or 2-3. But half the cost now.

Hmmm


.
 
I suspect the airbag lifetime depends on temperature extremes where people live, as well as how often they are used.

As far as getting the car moved, did you actually try jacking the body a little bit & inflating the bags ?

Also you said the car is in Salisbury which is not that far from Bugley, even at 35-40mph. I drove mine back from Basingstoke to Langley on the bumps after a compressor airline failure. My spare in the boot didn't have the short line with it . . and yes horrible drive but it's fine if you keep the speed down. Car is still on same airbags.
 
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