SLS Deflation while being loaded

I was loading my tools into my disco this morning via the back door. I was about half an hour doing this as I was sorting tools as I went. I just got to the last box loaded and there started a hissing escape of air and the whole back end went down to the bump stops. I started the engine and it bumped it back up and seems to be holding. Is there something quirky with the disco that would make it do that if it was heavily loaded and not running? Or do I have yet more issues?

Hi
I had the same problem, my wife and I went down to the coast and sat in the back to have cup of tea when we got out the back had dropped right down.As soon as I started it up it went back up again like you I thought here we go big problems and loads of money!! but it turned out all it was, was the air bags leaking I took it to my garage and they fitted two new air bags in less than a hour and that was 18 months ago and its been fine ever since I cant remember how much it cost but it wasn't a lot they also put two new bump stops on

Good luck

Does sound like the air springs have a leak . They do self seal to a degree but will only get worse . Try standing on your bumper and bouncing it ,to see if you can get it to do it again (engine off) they are very easy to change yourself if you can hold a spanner and use a trolley jack and axle stands . I did mine for the 1st time last year under £150 for the pair and only took 90minutes to do .

Snelly said:

I was loading my tools into my disco this morning via the back door. I was about half an hour doing this as I was sorting tools as I went. I just got to the last box loaded and there started a hissing escape of air and the whole back end went down to the bump stops. I started the engine and it bumped it back up and seems to be holding. Is there something quirky with the disco that would make it do that if it was heavily loaded and not running? Or do I have yet more issues?

Click to expand...

if it happened within 1.5 hours since ignition was off it could be a management glitch as it might have tried to re-level and opened the valves but as the engine was not running the compressor didn't kick in and the air left the system through it. ... it's possible and happened to others too. IMO a bag leak would lower the faulty side first and not very fast and would occur randomly regardless of load... so that's to be observed

Im not convinced its the air bags. Its been fine all day, fully loaded with tools, driven 100 miles and then left with ignition off for five hours, then driven home... No deflation. The compressor is only cutting in when first started or for a few seconds rarely during the journey. Everything seems ok? But it definitely did a full deflate this morning. I can only presume it was a glitch somewhere.

I will check the condition of the bags anyway. If they seem old, ill replace them anyway.

did you miss my post or you decided to totally ignore me... cos there you have the explanation

Nope not ignoring you, thanks for your input!

My thoughts were, i hadnt had the ignition on since the day before, over 12 hours?

it's possible even so as when you open a door the ECU gets activated and it might have missinterpreted the signal from the sensors and started the re-level sequence which means opened valves but no compressor = air out... it happens more often in the 1.5 hour period after ignition is off but it's possible as you said too...it's a system glitch which wasnt fixed by LR whatsoever...as long as it doesnt dive over night just live with it

RAVE-REAR SUSPENSION-64-18 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION said:

....The ECU incorporates a counter which times the operation of the SLS system and prevents the compressor
exceeding its duty cycle. The ECU can remain powered for up to 1.5 hours after ignition off is sensed to allow the
counter to continue running to avoid an ignition cycle resetting the counter.
Opening any of the doors will power up the ECU, irrespective of ignition switch position. The door open signal is
sensed by the door switch completing an earth path which is sensed by the ECU. The ECU cannot differentiate
between any of the doors. The door open signal powers the ECU for up to 30 minutes to allow the vehicle to re-level
when a load is removed or passengers leave the vehicle.

Click to expand...

EDIT: an explanation could be that when you drop a weight in the boot it might get a balance due to the pressure in the springs then the sensor goes a bit higher than it was before(1mm is enough)... in this case the SLS opens the valves for sure and as it doesnt get the expected signal again it drops all the air...as i said nothing to worry about as long as it behaves normally in the rest of the time

That'll do for me