Emergency Valves

Can someone help me re: putting emergency valves on my P38 and advice if I'm taking the right steps to sort out problem.

I'm having problems with EAS. Tried to read faults but for some reason it doesn't show any after resetting the first time. But there is certainly a problem as the car wont lift even when left for 20 mins with door open to build pressure up. The pump is running and getting quite hot whilst only lifting the car up somewhere between bumps and standard height. The car has done 100k so am going to buy new seals and liner for pump and take it from there. The filter is black too so that's being replaced too.

I'm lucky to have someone who knows a bit to help me as I'm useless!
I'll get him to fit the seals and liner and check for leaks. Any other suggestions - hoping that seals have gone and that'll do the job!

I am thinking of fitting valves in case there's ever a problem again - I have to pick up my daughter from nursery and can't be late or rely on other people as I did the other day when I was on the bump stops.

There are sets of four on ebay for £22 - can these be bought elsewhere for less as you can with the o rings for the valve blocks? If so what are they called? What else should I get - the pipes leading to the block are very short and it doesn't look there's much slack if any.

Am thinking that I could also check the pressure if valves are fitted - will look into that idea once these are fitted and if the seals don't help the problem.

Sorry I can't offer much back in the way of technical advice to anybody else. Thanks in advance to anyone that can help me.

Deffo sounds like your compressor is shot, however you need to check for leaks as that is the most likely reason for the compressor failure. If you car has the original air suspension bags they are most likely leaking. Spray with a solution of washing up liquid and water and look for bubbles. Also do the pipe connections to the suspension and valve block. It should not go down overnight unless parked on uneven ground.
Adding emergency valves is just adding another potential air leak IMO.

It does not matter how long your compressor runs or how hot it gets. If it ain't pumping air your suspension will never rise. As i keep saying, and at times it appears like talking to a brick wall. First thing to check is if compressor is supplying good high pressure air, if it isn't you have problems. Treat the EAS as two seperate systems air supply and air distribution. If you have no or poor pressure it is pointless looking anywhere else until you have.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Will do as you suggest and check for leaks when the pumps being done.

As far as the valves go, I see your point. I think I'll get some new pipe put on - enough to be able to easily fit the valves in an emergency as the tubing hasn't any play in at all. I really don't want to be stuck like that again!

Another small job to add to the list - already replaced engine, radio, alternator, battery, heater matrix, radiator, hoses, brake pump, exhaust, brake discs,numerous realys, tail gate straps and respray! Other than that it's been fine. The heater only works on one side at the moment. And there was the time the central locking wouldn't let me in as a rod had become disconnected behind the door and I had to get smash passenger window - wasn't smashing mine - would be too draughty driving home! Oh and the time I parked up to the wall and with the drivers door against the garagel so I could fit another car in yard. Went away and came back to find battery dead and I couldn't get in! Had to borrow two trolley jacks and pull back end out a couple of feet to get to door, unlock it and pop the bonnet.

Do wonder why I've still got it sometimes!!

wammers said:

It does not matter how long your compressor runs or how hot it gets. If it ain't pumping air your suspension will never rise. As i keep saying, and at times it appears like talking to a brick wall. First thing to check is if compressor is supplying good high pressure air, if it isn't you have problems. Treat the EAS as two seperate systems air supply and air distribution. If you have no or poor pressure it is pointless looking anywhere else until you have.

Click to expand...

I've done a search on EAS and it brings up dozens and doazens of threads. I've read through them and seen suggestions that the pump is checked, the relay under the seat, the ecu, the sensors, the airlines and the bags! That there is software/lead compatabilty problems and more! I probably did see you suggestion at some point and as I was intending getting the pump done anyway so just thought that would be (hopefully)taken care of.
Having gone through them I thought that a relatively common fault was the pump and a £30 kit was a good start and easy to do and considering the fact that the pump has never been looked at in 11 years and 100k miles wouldn't be far off going anyway. Along with a leak test it seemed to be the best/easiest/cheapest place to start. I can only get the car looked at every other week really so have to get as much done as possible at once and get parts in advance!

Thanks for the advice - shall pass it on and make sure it's done whilst I'm watching football and taking the odd cup of tea out.

davek67 said:

I've done a search on EAS and it brings up dozens and doazens of threads. I've read through them and seen suggestions that the pump is checked, the relay under the seat, the ecu, the sensors, the airlines and the bags! That there is software/lead compatabilty problems and more! I probably did see you suggestion at some point and as I was intending getting the pump done anyway so just thought that would be (hopefully)taken care of.
Having gone through them I thought that a relatively common fault was the pump and a £30 kit was a good start and easy to do and considering the fact that the pump has never been looked at in 11 years and 100k miles wouldn't be far off going anyway. Along with a leak test it seemed to be the best/easiest/cheapest place to start. I can only get the car looked at every other week really so have to get as much done as possible at once and get parts in advance!

Thanks for the advice - shall pass it on and make sure it's done whilst I'm watching football and taking the odd cup of tea out.

Click to expand...

With a failure of any system there is always a logical place to start. The logical place to start with EAS is the air pressure, without that nothing else can function.

wont lift even when left for 20 mins with door OPEN to build pressure up.

i think you have to have every thing closed to raise? well on mine it is.

der forgot
made my own e/inflators. 4 tyre valves trimed with knife fit short bit of pipe same as the cruze/control pipe 2 small clips of your choice inflate check bags deflate job done.
keep in clovebox for the next time.

pete@her said:

wont lift even when left for 20 mins with door OPEN to build pressure up.

i think you have to have every thing closed to raise? well on mine it is.

Click to expand...

I left the doors open for twenty minutes then closed them to allow the pump to build up some pressure before it started to try to lift the car - something I read on here.

davek67 said:

I left the doors open for twenty minutes then closed them to allow the pump to build up some pressure before it started to try to lift the car - something I read on here.

Click to expand...

You are correct...

it sounds like your compressor.
Make sure you get the cylinder and seal kit.. I only bought the seals and replaced them but my cylinder has a score in it, so although better than it was it is still not totally fixed.

OK i will say this one more time for those who may have missed it.
With compressor running remove inlet filter. Put finger over it. There should be suction. If not strip and find out why not. If there is suction. Remove pipe from compressor. Put finger over outlet. Air should be blown by finger. You should not be able to seal with finger pressure. If you can strip compressor. If finger is blown off. Remove exhaust filter. Place finger over that, there should be NO air coming out. If there is the diaphragm is split. If there is no air coming out, unless you have a air leak from tank circuit you should have good air pressure. Not rising is 99% of the time lack of sufficient air pressure. Why will people not listen?

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply - apologies to those who have posted answers before and feel they are being ignored, but there are so many posts to go through when you do a search it is inevitable that some very helpful hints get missed.

Anyway - despite having little knowledge of anything mechanical I found it a piece of cake to replace liner and seals. Hardest bit was getting that bloody teflon ring stuff off the piston - that took longer than the rest of the job did!

Car now goes from bumps to top in about 10 seconds then buggers about for a bit levelling itself. Hasn't done it that quick for a while so was well worth doing. Hoping handling will improve considerably too.

Anyone who's not very experienced with the tools don't worry - it really is very easy. Just make sure you can reset the ecu and it's a good idea to have a set of torxs as I think it could get a bit awkward without.

Free beers for eveyone who took the time to try to help

davek67 said:

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply - apologies to those who have posted answers before and feel they are being ignored, but there are so many posts to go through when you do a search it is inevitable that some very helpful hints get missed.

Anyway - despite having little knowledge of anything mechanical I found it a piece of cake to replace liner and seals. Hardest bit was getting that bloody teflon ring stuff off the piston - that took longer than the rest of the job did!

Car now goes from bumps to top in about 10 seconds then buggers about for a bit levelling itself. Hasn't done it that quick for a while so was well worth doing. Hoping handling will improve considerably too.

Anyone who's not very experienced with the tools don't worry - it really is very easy. Just make sure you can reset the ecu and it's a good idea to have a set of torxs as I think it could get a bit awkward without.

Free beers for eveyone who took the time to try to help

Click to expand...

Not having a go at you mate. But standard stuff like that should have a dedicated, say EAS FAQ area. Or useful information area. It should not have to be repeated over and over again. End of rant. Well done.