let me start off by saying it's not the bags, she'll hold air for days. randomly during highway driving the car well vent totally, i mean she's on the ground.once i got it to a quiet place and it had the issue i heard air venting. it's coming from what i thing id the solenoid on the driver side and some where toward the center of inner well. lifting up on the fender well rapidly causes the drivers side to stop after a few bounces. the passenger side i had to play with the hoses when i reached in the fender well to make it stop. has anyone had similar issues. thanks
intermittent air ride issues.
- Thread starter brendend
- Start date
unity
Dedicated LVC Member
Sounds like it could be multiple issues. Never assume its not the bags, just because they hold air for days (should be years if they dont leak) does not mean that when at ride heights they will not leak. Leaks form at the folds and the folds change position with height. Example would be lifting the fender. I had a Mark that did the same thing, had a horrible crack in one of the bags.
If the vent solenoid is sticking open, which is near the relay since its on the ride compressor, then when the car want to add air it will just escape out along with air from the bags since the solenoids will be open. Fronts first.
But you also mention the lines/solenoids. Sounds like someone did not install the lines right. They may need to be pushed into the solenoids further. Also make sure the solenoids are clipped in place first. And the solenoids themselves have o-rings that can fail.
Best bet is some soapy water in a spray bottle.
If the vent solenoid is sticking open, which is near the relay since its on the ride compressor, then when the car want to add air it will just escape out along with air from the bags since the solenoids will be open. Fronts first.
But you also mention the lines/solenoids. Sounds like someone did not install the lines right. They may need to be pushed into the solenoids further. Also make sure the solenoids are clipped in place first. And the solenoids themselves have o-rings that can fail.
Best bet is some soapy water in a spray bottle.
Modular97LSC
Dedicated LVC Member
solution for your air ride problems....toss the **** in the garbage and get a suspension kit..if you want a lower stance get the eibach or vogtland springs.
93mkviii
Dedicated LVC Member
He is completely right. My mark viii held in air for a full week as i drove it without the air suspension on. Two nights later in the morning as it sat the rear was slammed(I was having the intermittent problem also). So I go to start the car it lifts and then I hear a loud hiss but as it lifts it would go away. Replaced the airbag and its been fine. The cracks do form at the folds like he is saying and this is why it is not a good idea to change the height sensors on old bags.
thaywood
Dedicated LVC Member
Or you could fix the air ride problems with new front air shocks and rear springs and be a happy little camper with the coolness of automatic level control and the ability to sensor raise/lower your suspension whenever you choose.
And with air ride, it's still a true Mark VIII and not just a T-Bird in a tux. 
Of course that's just my opinion. YMMV...
Markviiiedrea
Speed Bump
ok so i just got done ripping into the front, the bags are in very good condition. there is not rips or even Abby cracking. i looked where it joins to the strut and nothing there either. no rubber build up from wear. Ryde height sensors look good so I'm guessing it's the solenoids starting to go. did find out i need sway bar links and ball joints. joy
My Great 8
Dedicated LVC Member
If the bags are good, try replacing the O rings on the solenoid. Quick and cheap. I have owned several Marks and have never had a solenoid go bad. However, I have had to replace quite a few O rings. Where are you in NJ? I am going to Carlsile and will be visiting my family in Woodbridge and So. Amboy.
LSC HUNTER
Dedicated LVC Member
When mine started doing that it was the bag. You could not see the split in the bag but as soon as you picked up on the fron fender it rolled the bag enough to seal the crack and allow it to air up again.
Don't fool yourself thinking the bag is good, get the wheel off and start cycling the suspension with a floor jack. The bad bag will show its face. Just looking at the rubber is not going to show you a damn thing. Seriously, if you think about it you have already answered your own question, " when I pull up on the fender" the solenoids do not operate with the fender, the bag does.
Don't fool yourself thinking the bag is good, get the wheel off and start cycling the suspension with a floor jack. The bad bag will show its face. Just looking at the rubber is not going to show you a damn thing. Seriously, if you think about it you have already answered your own question, " when I pull up on the fender" the solenoids do not operate with the fender, the bag does.
