P38A Which EAS repair kit to get?

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ar1g3

Well-Known Member
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148
Location
Belgium
Hi all,

I will be repairing my valve block as the suspension behaves a bit weirdly from time to time and it sinks when sitting.

I was wondering which kit to get. I have found two kits:
- https://x8r.co.uk/range-rover-p38-e...l-liner-valve-block-o-ring-diaphragm-kit.html
- https://4x4airseals.com/product/air...id-o-ring-diaphragm-seal-air-dryer-repair-kit

The first one does bot have the desiccant for the dryer but seems to include two air compressor housing seals which the second kit with the desiccant doesn't have.

I will have a look if I need the desiccant but after 25 years it seems a good idea to replace it.. So my question is, do I need those two compressor housing seals or not?

This is for my '99 4l p38
 
I generally use X8R for EAS stuff. The two compressor seals are for the head & top plate. Whether you need them depends on how old & compressed they are.

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I did try one compressor piston & cyliner kit from 4x4airseals, but it didn't seem to work as well as the X8R. Trouble is you cannot just based on one kit, because the end result varies with manufacturing tolerances. I have also had X8R kits where the cylinders were too tight on the piston seal.
 
On a slightly different but related note.

Does anyone know of anyone who offers a return service on the valve block? Ie either on an exchange basis or send yours in kind of thing?
 
Hi all,

I will be repairing my valve block as the suspension behaves a bit weirdly from time to time and it sinks when sitting.

I was wondering which kit to get. I have found two kits:
- https://x8r.co.uk/range-rover-p38-e...l-liner-valve-block-o-ring-diaphragm-kit.html
- https://4x4airseals.com/product/air...id-o-ring-diaphragm-seal-air-dryer-repair-kit

The first one does bot have the desiccant for the dryer but seems to include two air compressor housing seals which the second kit with the desiccant doesn't have.

I will have a look if I need the desiccant but after 25 years it seems a good idea to replace it.. So my question is, do I need those two compressor housing seals or not?

This is for my '99 4l p38
The XBR kit for the valve block is good. Do not buy any EAS kit with orange O rings.
Personally, I change the whole dryer rather than mess about with desiccant, the dryer complete is not expensive. The dryer may be rusty inside.
 
It's so easy to do (even on kitchen table if you don't have a bench), that I can't see many people using a service that would be many times the price of the kit. There's also clear instructions on the X8R website, plus many videos on the interweb.
Thanks. I’m sure it isn’t that hard. Just a bit fiddly and I suspect not all that hard to get wrong. If I rebuilt it myself and it didn’t fix the problem. I’d not know if there was another issue or if it was a failed rebuild.

Although in reality, I’m not sure I’ve got the time and effort to rebuild it, too many other things needing my attention. Eg if the kit is £50. I’d happily pay another £50 for someone to use it and rebuild the valve block.
 
Hi all,

I will be repairing my valve block as the suspension behaves a bit weirdly from time to time and it sinks when sitting.

I was wondering which kit to get. I have found two kits:
- https://x8r.co.uk/range-rover-p38-e...l-liner-valve-block-o-ring-diaphragm-kit.html
- https://4x4airseals.com/product/air...id-o-ring-diaphragm-seal-air-dryer-repair-kit

The first one does bot have the desiccant for the dryer but seems to include two air compressor housing seals which the second kit with the desiccant doesn't have.

I will have a look if I need the desiccant but after 25 years it seems a good idea to replace it.. So my question is, do I need those two compressor housing seals or not?

This is for my '99 4l p38
Have you checked around the airbags while at full height for cracks in the rubber?
Soapy water around the pipe fittings?
The problem may not be the bock unless you already have done these checks 👍
 
On a slightly different but related note.

Does anyone know of anyone who offers a return service on the valve block? Ie either on an exchange basis or send yours in kind of thing?
@kurtjohnson10 lI’m sure he was selling a fully refurbed EAS in sales and wants for decent money. Maybe he’s doing ‘bird’ again.
 
The XBR kit for the valve block is good. Do not buy any EAS kit with orange O rings.
Personally, I change the whole dryer rather than mess about with desiccant, the dryer complete is not expensive. The dryer may be rusty inside.
I think at 140€ the dryer is not cheap! I opened mine, it seemed still okay so I'll leave it for bow and get the X8R kit. I can still change it if I find white powder in the valve block.
Have you checked around the airbags while at full height for cracks in the rubber?
Soapy water around the pipe fittings?
The problem may not be the bock unless you already have done these checks 👍
I've got four new bags on there and replaced the ends of the pipes on the bags side at the front. I will still replace the ends at the rear bag, and at the valve block side.

Thanks everyone for the input!!
 
I think at 140€ the dryer is not cheap! I opened mine, it seemed still okay so I'll leave it for bow and get the X8R kit. I can still change it if I find white powder in the valve block.
Doesn't the X8R kit come with new desiccant?

J
 
I think at 140€ the dryer is not cheap! I opened mine, it seemed still okay so I'll leave it for bow and get the X8R kit. I can still change it if I find white powder in the valve block.

I've got four new bags on there and replaced the ends of the pipes on the bags side at the front. I will still replace the ends at the rear bag, and at the valve block side.

Thanks everyone for the input!!
Beware when cutting the ends of the pipes, there is a raised section in the pipe to aid insertion, cut too much and it will prevent the pip going fully in.
 
Beware when cutting the ends of the pipes, there is a raised section in the pipe to aid insertion, cut too much and it will prevent the pip going fully in.
Thanks for the tip! I had that issue and cut a bit more off, then used a coupler and a bit of new pipe.

I used this style of coupler, actually works really well and I think it's much more reliable than any of the push fit repair couplers you can get.

1000006896.png
 
Thanks for the tip! I had that issue and cut a bit more off, then used a coupler and a bit of new pipe.

I used this style of coupler, actually works really well and I think it's much more reliable than any of the push fit repair couplers you can get.

View attachment 323628
That coupler is very good but there is nothing wrong with good quality push fit connectors, we used thousands on air powered machines.
 
That coupler is very good but there is nothing wrong with good quality push fit connectors, we used thousands on air powered machines.

Only issue with push-fit is uou need to be very clean when you cut the pipe and be gentle pushing it past the rubber o-rings or you damage them and it will always leak.
 
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