P38A Unrepairable EAS fault after side steps fitted?

Montyjohn said:

Not looking for an argument, just a suggestion. If it did fail due to being on the 2 post ramp, there's a clue in there what problem(s) the car might have had before it went on the ramp.


Do you find it on bump stops over night? I assume not as you said it was working fine before. So if it's not normally leaking, the only reason for the bags to fully deflate on the ramp is if they had damage that is only able to leak when fully extended. If this is the case, your bags were on borrowed time.
I wouldn't expect an MOT to pick this sort of thing up. They just check if things work at the time of the MOT, not if lifting it int he air could disturb something.

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10 years ago it failed an MOT due to an EAS fault that appeared at the time of the MOT, caused by leaking bags. All 4 bags were then replaced with new Dunlops. They have been perfect until now. I (as we al do) spend a lot of time under the car staring up, so I am sure I would have noticed deterioration again...

If they are 10 years old, they probably could do with replacing. Easy job to DIY, and about £290 for four Dunlops from Island4x4.
Best get the clips as well in case your snap when removing.

marjon said:

It would be easier to do all the connector checking after you can confirm leaky bags or not, first IMO.
Put the emergency valves back on and get 60-70psi in them, drive it home, or confirm a proper leak.
Your communication issues with diagnostics will need to be sorted as you need to recalibrate the 2 new rear sensors, but start with the system holding air at height.

J

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I need to do both. It is not inflating at all, well at least not lifting. That could be the hard fault causing the problem.
I think I need to establish good comms and also check the bags. I may be able to reset the hard fault, then test for leaks.
If I need to inflate to jack it up and check each bag manually then I will need to put some air in again to do that.

JamesBB said:

10 years ago it failed an MOT due to an EAS fault that appeared at the time of the MOT, caused by leaking bags. All 4 bags were then replaced with new Dunlops. They have been perfect until now. I (as we al do) spend a lot of time under the car staring up, so I am sure I would have noticed deterioration again...

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The deterioration is often where the bags fold under and not easily seen.

Datatek said:

The deterioration is often where the bags fold under and not easily seen.

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With the fact that the 2 fronts certainly look folded over, I am guessing the only way to properly inspect these is by physically removing them and putting a little air in manually then washing them over with soapy water?

The rear is so low I can not see under at the moment.
I will start at the front and if all is ok re-install or replace.

4 off shrader valves is what you need. Ebay has them. You disconnect the lines at the valve block and fit them on the lines, then use a normal tyre inflater to pump up the springs.

These, 6mm.

Datatek said:

Design life is 8 years or 80K miles but some do not last that long as Mark Piercy will confirm.

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Yip, I only got 4 years from mine

@JamesBB before you remove the bags, try the following. You can do one end at a time if you want.

1) pull the airlines from the valve block, and fit the schrader valves.
2) put the axle on stands & remove the wheels for access
3) now jack the car up a bit off the bump stops (about 50mm between axle & bump stop), so the bags have room to expand.
4) put air in the bags using tyre inflator or workshop compressor.
5) the bags should start to expand back to their normal shape.
6) if required raise the car a little more to allow the bags more room.

If this doesn't work, you are now in the ideal state to access the bags & remove them for your bench idea !!

Remember if the clips are still ok, the bags cannot separate from the mounting pads, so should pull the folds out.