Hissing noise, EAS?

My dad has just phoned me to say he's heard a hissing noise from the car, described it as like a tyre going down. The suspension went down but I think its gone back up. Does this sound like one of the airbags had failed? Supposed to be doing a 200 mile trip tomorrow! The car is a '98 4.0 SE

If they are the original bags - most likely...

Or if he hard it after parking up and locking the vehicle, it could be the EAS valve block exhaust vent opening while the car relevels itself....was it accompanied by any ticking or clicking noises of the valves opening and closing??

I would bet on an airbag as it came back up, the leaks close when the bag fold under changes position.

Migth be the pipes in to the block,check them too

Just spoken to my dad again, he heard it after getting out of the car, says it was coming from the back of the car and was quite loud. I believe they are the original airbags, car has only done 60k and my dad has had it 9 years. If its a bag or pipe will it be ok to drive?

rangie1998 said:

Just spoken to my dad again, he heard it after getting out of the car, says it was coming from the back of the car and was quite loud. I believe they are the original airbags, car has only done 60k and my dad has had it 9 years. If its a bag or pipe will it be ok to drive?

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The airbags have a design life of 7/8 years or 80K miles so it's likely to be an airbag, unless you have a blow in the exhaust which has melted one of the plastic airlines.
I wouldn't drive it, when it goes down to the bump stops it will shake the fillings out of your teeth and it will shag the compressor if it's not already shagged.

Cheers guys for the advice, time to get some airbags!

rangie1998 said:

Cheers guys for the advice, time to get some airbags!

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You may also need the EAS software and cable if it throws a fault. There is a guide to changing them in the How to section if you plan to DIY

Thanks datatec, may do them as i'm not too bad with the spanners, plenty of practice on my '92 classic! A friend of mine has all the software so no problems there.

rangie1998 said:

Thanks datatec, may do them as i'm not too bad with the spanners, plenty of practice on my '92 classic! A friend of mine has all the software so no problems there.

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Unless the rears are corroded in, it's quick and easy if you use the guide.
IMO Arnott Gen II's are worth the extra if you plan to keep the car long term.
don't forget to order new retaining pins and clips.

Whats your thoughts on the Arnott III generation?

Over priced for road/minor off road use....

If you serious off road, they great, byt Gen II's are perfectly good for road and minor off roading

Saint.V8 said:

Over priced for road/minor off road use....

If you serious off road, they great, byt Gen II's are perfectly good for road and minor off roading

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What he said

Don't think its been off road since my dad bought it 9 years ago!

rangie1998 said:

Don't think its been off road since my dad bought it 9 years ago!

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so GenIII's would be a serious waste of cash

Just been to have a look at my dads range rover, the air suspension seems to be working fine but the off side rear bag has cord showing, and that's where the hissing noise was coming from. My dad said he'd just filled it up with fuel, don't think it could take the weight of all that fuel!!

rangie1998 said:

Just been to have a look at my dads range rover, the air suspension seems to be working fine but the off side rear bag has cord showing, and that's where the hissing noise was coming from. My dad said he'd just filled it up with fuel, don't think it could take the weight of all that fuel!!

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So fix it quick before it lets you down and burns the compressor