Disco 2 Compressor piston kit - help

So, after changing the piston ring today (got it from X8R), the suspension no longer raises on the dash button. The light keeps blinking, but it does not raise.

Car is level and it seems that the compressor is doing its job when driving, but I´m baffled by this.

Compressor used to run fine, all functions worked correctly, except it was noisy and slow, hence wanting to change the piston ring before frying the motor.The old ring looked a bit rounded and worn, so it was definitely on the way out.

Got the compressor air filter arriving tomorrow so I´ll change that, but it shouldn´t make a difference seeing as the system worked fine before.

Asked the local LR indy garage to do it, as I have no room outside my house (live in a flat, where fixing cars outside is not approved!). They don´t agree with servicing compressors, suggesting a new one was the way to go, but agreed to do it anyway.

It´s a simple fix, how could it go so wrong?

Any ideas?

Did the garage take the compressor off to change the piston ring or did they do it in situ. If they did it in situ it's not easy to line up the notches in the ring.

Nigel1943 said:

Did the garage take the compressor off to change the piston ring or did they do it in situ. If they did it in situ it's not easy to line up the notches in the ring.

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They told me they removed it from the car to work on it.

Can't understand what happened.

I changed mine in situ but removed the air dryer to replace the dessicant. I loosened the three screws underneath to angle the compressor as the two bolts holding the box were seized. The results were dramatic. The ORM button suddenly raised the car properly and the noise the compressor made now sounded better.

Could it be they have got something wrong and the compressor is generating enough pressure to keep the bags inflated for normal driving but not enough for ORM. Have you a diagnostic unit that you could actuate the lift process with?

brianconwy said:

I changed mine in situ but removed the air dryer to replace the dessicant. I loosened the three screws underneath to angle the compressor as the two bolts holding the box were seized. The results were dramatic. The ORM button suddenly raised the car properly and the noise the compressor made now sounded better.

Could it be they have got something wrong and the compressor is generating enough pressure to keep the bags inflated for normal driving but not enough for ORM. Have you a diagnostic unit that you could actuate the lift process with?

Click to expand...

That's the kind of results I was expecting, but got nowhere near that. It was actually better before, only noisier.

I don't have access to a diag unit anymore, not since we moved.

If I could lift the car with the ORM button, I could get a couple of axle stands and inspect it myself. Something isn't right...

brianconwy said:

I changed mine in situ but removed the air dryer to replace the dessicant. I loosened the three screws underneath to angle the compressor as the two bolts holding the box were seized. The results were dramatic. The ORM button suddenly raised the car properly and the noise the compressor made now sounded better.

Could it be they have got something wrong and the compressor is generating enough pressure to keep the bags inflated for normal driving but not enough for ORM. Have you a diagnostic unit that you could actuate the lift process with?

Click to expand...

Brian

Do I run the risk of the compressor running with the engine off? Don´t want to have a dead battery when I return to it...

The compressor shouldn't run with the ignition off. It shouldn't really run with engine running, unless there is a change to prompt it.

Did the garage change the dessicant in the air dryer? There is a couple of filters in there, but it is hard to imagine them blocking the air flow enough to make a difference.

brianconwy said:

The compressor shouldn't run with the ignition off. It shouldn't really run with engine running, unless there is a change to prompt it.

Did the garage change the dessicant in the air dryer? There is a couple of filters in there, but it is hard to imagine them blocking the air flow enough to make a difference.

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They did not change the dessicant in the air dryer. It´s actually in the post, together with the air filter element. Should arrive any day now.

Like I said, they seemed very reluctant to do it, so asking them to change the dessicant would probably be met with a "nah mate, you need a new compressor".

It´s holding its height properly, but that´s probably because there are no leaks in the system. I can´t hear the depressurising hiss when I park the car anymore.

Kept me up last night this!

I didn't jack the car up as it doesn't help much. There are three screws underneath that loosens the compressor. Then it can be tilted slightly allowing access to the two bolts holding the cylinder head and dryer on. The piston can be accessed in situ. Don't make the mistake I made of trying to pour the dessicant from its bag. Try and find a little jug. The filters supplied were a little big, but the kit you get may be ok. Just follow the youtube video.

brianconwy said:

I didn't jack the car up as it doesn't help much. There are three screws underneath that loosens the compressor. Then it can be tilted slightly allowing access to the two bolts holding the cylinder head and dryer on. The piston can be accessed in situ. Don't make the mistake I made of trying to pour the dessicant from its bag. Try and find a little jug. The filters supplied were a little big, but the kit you get may be ok. Just follow the youtube video.

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Thanks Brian, very helpful. Hopefully the car won´t drop with me under it

I got the original P38 air filter elements which apparently are a straight fit.

Silica gel kit is this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281769623406

brianconwy said:

Just follow the youtube video.

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Can´t seem to find this video... Is this the same for changing the piston ring? No mention of swapping out the silica gel in the air dryer.

is this any good

gstuart said:

is this any good

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That´s the one I knew of, yes. Can´t understand how to drop the old silica out though (never done it before)

Yoguko said:

That´s the one I knew of, yes. Can´t understand how to drop the old silica out though (never done it before)

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been looking to see how it compares with my compressor

silica is normally hidden behind a filter

will have a look

If you call the ebay supplier they may be of help.

The number and contact are in the ad.

Cheers

wonder if this is the same type

gstuart said:

been looking to see how it compares with my compressor

silica is normally hidden behind a filter

will have a look

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I think it comes away from the body together with the piston cover, but not really sure how to empty it. @brianconwy said he did it in situ, but I can´t see how.

neilly said:

If you call the ebay supplier they may be of help.

The number and contact are in the ad.

Cheers

Click to expand...

Probably my best bet. Thanks

gstuart said:

wonder if this is the same type

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Good find. That looks remarkably similar to the one in the Disco 2.

Watched the video @gstuart shared and at the end there are a few more, amongst which was this one:



The guy even replaced the compressor head!