Disco 2 Air Compressor - Do they go bad by themselves??

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blgdave

Active Member
Posts
164
Location
Whangarei, New Zealand
HI Folks,

I know there are guides and heaps of posts related to the D2 air suspension, but this one is slightly different in that I want to ask if my case has happened to others?

I found the car with the arse end sat low down one day after parking up, but it was not down to the bump stops. It was still actually driveable but the back end was a good 2" plus lower than it should be.

I did all the usual checks and found that my compressor was not operating what so ever, even with direct feed to the pump.

Anyway, I replaced just the whole unit and on connecting the bags inflated and everything worked as it should do. The raise button also worked and then lowered as it should do. I raised the car to max height and left it for two days like this and nothing leaked out and it stayed level.

After a few test drives the car runs fine and so far it has not sagged and everything is workign just fine.

This all points to just the compressor being at fault on its own. Is this likely? Do they not fail normally due to overwork for soemthing else at fault? If this were the case would it not be loosing air now and sagging again when parked?

So basically, has anyone ever just had to replace a compressor and nothing else before?

Cheers
Dave...

PS> I have just ordered a set of bags anyway, just in case. I am paranoid!
 
I'm having a new compressor fitted on Thursday with exactly the same symptoms - it's low but not all the way down and when the garage put a direct feed to it the compressor still didn't work.
Maybe mine is the original and, after 16 years, just decided enough was enough?
Maybe a recent leaky airbag over-worked it? (although it certainly worked for a month or two after the bag change)
Maybe the cracked rear light housing (Tesco car park) let rain in to the compressor air intake?
 
From the maintainance sheet: "Air suspension vehicles used extensively in arduous/ off road conditions will require the compressor inlet filter to be replaced at more regular intervals" ... the "normal" interval would be 60K miles... neglecting this might reduce the compressor's life, it's enough to wash and dry well the foam/felt from it at least once a year to let the compressor to inhale well...also the compressor can suffer from water ingress due to it's position
 
That "overhaul" kit contains only some seals, it's used for working compressors which dont have enough "guts" to inflate anymore due to wear not for cases like this when the compressor doesnt work at all.
 
Thanks for the input. In my case the compressor pump was not working what so ever, even when connected to direct feed the pump would not spin.

I managed to source a repacement compressor and so just swapped it over as a unit so replaced the valves at the same time as they are in there also. Perhaps a leak was orginally from one of the connectors in there and this caused the compressor to over work and burn out?

I did also check the inlet filter when I did the swap. I found that the black ponge pre filter part had completely perished to dust. The foam part looked fine and clean and the whole internal of the filter body was dry and clean. I made up a new sponge from some high density foam and blew out the white foam pad with my air line just to get it fresh again. I do not think there was any issue from this part.

I suspect that I had an internal issue in the compressor unit or just the compressor had enough and decided to give up. I plan to take it appart and have a look later.
POssibly my air bags have leaks that dont leak all teh time and maybe have sealed themselves on teh fold over section? I am going to swap them out now anyway for peace of mind.

Still seems odd that the only part I can find at fault is the comprssor pump itself??

Still love the old girl..!!
 
I'm having a new compressor fitted on Thursday with exactly the same symptoms - it's low but not all the way down and when the garage put a direct feed to it the compressor still didn't work.
Maybe mine is the original and, after 16 years, just decided enough was enough?
Maybe a recent leaky airbag over-worked it? (although it certainly worked for a month or two after the bag change)
Maybe the cracked rear light housing (Tesco car park) let rain in to the compressor air intake?


HIggo, its a real easy job to do (especially if you dont have rear air con fitted) and takes no time at all to carry out the swap. You could save yourself a few bob?
So you previously had leaky air bags that were swapped a few months before compressor failure? Possibly that finished it off. Mine also would sit low but not completely deflate so I suspect the bags to be fine, but who knows for sure?
The air intake is even easier to check and clean by the way. Wouldnt think a cracked light would affect it though.

Let me know how you get on?

Cheers
 
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