How disappointing - EAS valve block

Hi All.

All fired up with enthusiasm, I fitted my nice shiny 'new' EAS box yesterday, containing my recently overhauled valve block and a brand new compressor.

Early signs were encouraging - everything appeared to work, bar an initial leak due to an improperly seated pipe. Went for a little run and all seemed well except for the little nagging thought that perhaps the compressor was kicking in a bit more frequently than I would expect.

Anyway, I parked up and left it in extended height while I cracked on with some other chores.

A couple of hours later, I noticed that it was kneeling (down at the front). The drivers side was completely down and the passenger side not far off. The rears were fine.

Discovered a hitherto unknown leak in the n/s airbag pipe connection and fixed that but can't find anything wrong with the drivers side. I'm guessing that it's probably leaking on the solenoid as all the remaining pipe connections seem to be ok. Grr.

Is it safe to spray soapy water onto and around the solenoids to try and check this theory? Which solenoid is it that controls the drivers side front and can I strip it to check the new o rings in situ? It looks like it ought to be possible - I think it's the middle one on the top of the block, going by PaulP38's excellent diagram.

I'm just trying to avoid pulling the whole thing apart again, but I guess if I must then I must!

Still, I enjoyed a bit of tinkering. It's been on SORN for a year and I'm just trying to get it back in good enough shape for an MOT.

Personally I would not use soapy water around the solenoids. If the O rings are correctly fitted and the seats are not corroded the valves will seal.
May not even be the valve block of course.

Hi Keith,

Yes, that was my thought too. Plus it will make it all messy and it's nice and shiny in there at the moment!

I've yet to check the bag itself, but they're recent Arnotts so I'd think that would be unlikely. I think it's more likely that I cocked something up on the rebuild.

I think I might try and remove that solenoid in situ and check the seals - apparently the o ring on the plunger can be crushed and cause a leak. Would be good if I could confirm that my assumption about the correct solenoid is right though!

Guy

kooky_guy said:

Hi Keith,

Yes, that was my thought too. Plus it will make it all messy and it's nice and shiny in there at the moment!

I've yet to check the bag itself, but they're recent Arnotts so I'd think that would be unlikely. I think it's more likely that I cocked something up on the rebuild.

I think I might try and remove that solenoid in situ and check the seals - apparently the o ring on the plunger can be crushed and cause a leak. Would be good if I could confirm that my assumption about the correct solenoid is right though!

Guy

Click to expand...

There was a recent post possibly by Saint.V8 that gave the layout.

The only O'ring that can leak on the solenoids and cause a corner drop are the one's under the valve or the seal on the plunger itself. All the others can only leak as the bag is being filled.

wammers said:

The only O'ring that can leak on the solenoids and cause a corner drop are the one's under the valve or the seal on the plunger itself. All the others can only leak as the bag is being filled.

Click to expand...

Cheers. I'll pull it and see what I can see.

kooky_guy said:

Cheers. I'll pull it and see what I can see.

Click to expand...

Look at the base where the O'rings fit. If the screws have been over tightened it can be deformed. Must be flat, gently rub in a figure of eight motion on some 320 wet or dry on a flat surface until it is completely flat. Don't over tighten screws.

Datatek said:

There was a recent post possibly by Saint.V8 that gave the layout.

Click to expand...

Fantastic. Thanks Saint - I had the first one from PaulP38's guide but not the second one. Looks like I should be able to do it in situ.

I might just check the airbag first though as it does seem to go down quite quickly - I'd expect to be able to hear something from the solenoid but couldn't.

kooky_guy said:

Fantastic. Thanks Saint - I had the first one from PaulP38's guide but not the second one. Looks like I should be able to do it in situ.

I might just check the airbag first though as it does seem to go down quite quickly - I'd expect to be able to hear something from the solenoid but couldn't.

Click to expand...

If it's going down quickly and it's the valve block you should be be able to detect air coming from the exhaust port. Take the silencer off and put your finger over it.

Well I can't see anything wrong with the damn thing!

Had the solenoid apart - can't see any problems with it at all - thought I might have left an o ring out or something. I haven't sanded it yet as you suggested Wammers, but that might come!

No leaks that I can find on the airbag or the connection. I've fashioned a stethoscope out of a piece of pipe and can't hear any air hissing anywhere.

It's all a bit odd. Going to let it sit with the tailgate open for a bit and see what it does. It's not dropped at all in half an hour now, typically.

kooky_guy said:

Well I can't see anything wrong with the damn thing!

Had the solenoid apart - can't see any problems with it at all - thought I might have left an o ring out or something. I haven't sanded it yet as you suggested Wammers, but that might come!

No leaks that I can find on the airbag or the connection. I've fashioned a stethoscope out of a piece of pipe and can't hear any air hissing anywhere.

It's all a bit odd. Going to let it sit with the tailgate open for a bit and see what it does. It's not dropped at all in half an hour now, typically.

Click to expand...

Try exercising the valves by raising and lowering it a few times maybe it's just newness and the valves need time to settle after being disturbed. Try pushing the pipes into the valve block and bags, they always go in a little further with pressure on the O'rings.

The good news is that it's stayed up perfectly all night with the tailgate ajar so I'm guessing there must have been a slightly crushed o ring in that solenoid.

Am away for a week or so now so will see what it's like when I get back. Thanks for all the advice.

Guy

Quick update.

Got back last night and the front is perfect, but the rear has dropped a bit - just enough to look a bit stupid. Access to the airpipes on the rear bags was always a complete git so I think I can live with this for the time being!!

kooky_guy said:

Quick update.

Got back last night and the front is perfect, but the rear has dropped a bit - just enough to look a bit stupid. Access to the airpipes on the rear bags was always a complete git so I think I can live with this for the time being!!

Click to expand...

Just give the pipes another push, shame if a leak were to knacker your pump.

Put a gauge in each bag see if it hold pressure
Or a gauge on the vale block with an air line

Yours soon spot the leak

Probably a stupid question but have you tried leaving it standing with the EAS relay from under the passenger seat removed? I assume it is on flat ground?

It's only dropped an inch or so at the rear over a week. I don't think that's too bad, but I might have another go at the rear airbag connections when I get a chance.

It's on levelish ground. A bit of a slope with the back being slightly downhill.

kooky_guy said:

It's only dropped an inch or so at the rear over a week. I don't think that's too bad, but I might have another go at the rear airbag connections when I get a chance.

It's on levelish ground. A bit of a slope with the back being slightly downhill.

Click to expand...

15 mm drop in 24 hours is normal and acceptable through self levelling.