I just replaced my rear air bags on my 94 Mark yesterday and this morning the front and back are flat bottomed out. I started the car and everything pumped up alright and so far (hour later) they are holding. Does the system have to adjust or what?
Replaced rear air bags and now...
- Thread starter donmeanie
- Start date
chris2523
93 Mark VIII
did you replace the orings on the solenoids and put silicone grease on them before putting them back in?
chris2523
93 Mark VIII
well that's a good place to start.
BAD97LSC
Dedicated LVC Member
something doesnt make sense. if all you did was replace the rear air bags, that wouldnt cause the front to empty out at all. and now when you get to cruise speed and then stop the car will slam to the ground? sounds to me like the vent solenoid on the actual compressor is sticking open which is causing all the air to come out of the system. i'd be ordering a compressor for it. how many miles are on it?
unity
Dedicated LVC Member
The compressor is easily serviceable and the vent solenoid can be resurrected. Its a project, but Jamie is right in that the vent solenoid is probably sticking open at random times.
When the car wants to raise the vent solenoid is closed and solenoids on the bags open. First front, then rear is leveled. If the vent solenoid sticks, the bag solenoids still open but the compressed air just escapes right away and the bags stay open since they expect air. This can cause a slam.
The compressor comes apart very easily. I have serviced two units. There is a single piston which I lightly lubricate. The vent solenoid is sealed, but I soaked a sticking unit in a blend of C.L.R. and water (calcium, lime, rust) solvent and then alcohol to displace the solution and water. Once dry I lubricated with silicone spray lubricant. Going on a year now and the owner says its still working fine although I dont think it will last as long as a new replacement.
Another option is to somehow find a Spider valve, but since they are no longer made they are hard to find. But it replaces the stock vent solenoid valve for a new one.
When the car wants to raise the vent solenoid is closed and solenoids on the bags open. First front, then rear is leveled. If the vent solenoid sticks, the bag solenoids still open but the compressed air just escapes right away and the bags stay open since they expect air. This can cause a slam.
The compressor comes apart very easily. I have serviced two units. There is a single piston which I lightly lubricate. The vent solenoid is sealed, but I soaked a sticking unit in a blend of C.L.R. and water (calcium, lime, rust) solvent and then alcohol to displace the solution and water. Once dry I lubricated with silicone spray lubricant. Going on a year now and the owner says its still working fine although I dont think it will last as long as a new replacement.
Another option is to somehow find a Spider valve, but since they are no longer made they are hard to find. But it replaces the stock vent solenoid valve for a new one.
unity
Dedicated LVC Member
If you are creative, you may be able to get the system inflated manually. It woudl require removal of the dryer which is attached to compressor with one screw. If the air intake box is removed, one can get at the screw. Then with a little twist the dryer comes out. Careful of the o-ring at the end of it!!!
Then fashion some sort of interface to a Schroeder valve. From there you can use a compressor to maybe pump it up. The compressor will run, but you will be supplying air with your own compressor. You will need two people and dont get pressure in the setup too high!!!
Once you have it where you want, turn the air-ride off via switch in trunk. If the bags dont leak and the solenoids are good it should hold air for a very, very long time.
Just an idea that can maybe limp you along for now.
Then fashion some sort of interface to a Schroeder valve. From there you can use a compressor to maybe pump it up. The compressor will run, but you will be supplying air with your own compressor. You will need two people and dont get pressure in the setup too high!!!
Once you have it where you want, turn the air-ride off via switch in trunk. If the bags dont leak and the solenoids are good it should hold air for a very, very long time.
Just an idea that can maybe limp you along for now.
BAD97LSC
Dedicated LVC Member
don you are in deltona, i am north of clearwater. if you buy a compressor i could put it in for you if you just pay for my gas to get there and back, i can change it for you in about 20 minutes. didnt you ask me about re-doing a set of headlights too? i could pick them up while i am there maybe i dont know, just trying to help.
Sorry I didn't get back to you guys sooner, I'm sick as a dog.
Unity, I had thoughts of hooking the bags up like air shocks with a valve but I want to get it fixed right so I'll have to wait until I get a pump.
Jamie I will be looking buy a new pump after New Years once the bank calms down. I really appreciate the offer and I may take you up on your offer, I am health challenged ( too much crap to list) so it would be hell for me. I might even feed you depending on how my friggin health is at the time! And yes I did contact you about the headlights. I need to deal with the pump first, my wife is out of a job after 17 years with the same company so the Mark is second to other needs.
Unity, I had thoughts of hooking the bags up like air shocks with a valve but I want to get it fixed right so I'll have to wait until I get a pump.
Jamie I will be looking buy a new pump after New Years once the bank calms down. I really appreciate the offer and I may take you up on your offer, I am health challenged ( too much crap to list) so it would be hell for me. I might even feed you depending on how my friggin health is at the time! And yes I did contact you about the headlights. I need to deal with the pump first, my wife is out of a job after 17 years with the same company so the Mark is second to other needs.
Air Bags and Pumps CRAP!
I don't know if you guys received my last message,I sent it again below. If I get the bags pumped up and turn the switch off and there are no leaks, will it stay up? I think I know the answer but hit me with it anyway.
Sorry I didn't get back to you guys sooner, I'm sick as a dog. I will be looking buy a new pump after New Years once the bank calms down. I really appreciate the offer Jamie and I may take you up on the pump, "disabled" so it would be hell for me. I might even feed you depending on how my frig gin health is at the time! And yes I did contact you about the headlights. I need to deal with the pump first, my wife is out of a job after 17 years with the same company.
I don't know if you guys received my last message,I sent it again below. If I get the bags pumped up and turn the switch off and there are no leaks, will it stay up? I think I know the answer but hit me with it anyway.
Sorry I didn't get back to you guys sooner, I'm sick as a dog. I will be looking buy a new pump after New Years once the bank calms down. I really appreciate the offer Jamie and I may take you up on the pump, "disabled" so it would be hell for me. I might even feed you depending on how my frig gin health is at the time! And yes I did contact you about the headlights. I need to deal with the pump first, my wife is out of a job after 17 years with the same company.
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I don't know what happened to my last post so here is again:
Sorry I didn't get back to you guys sooner, I'm sick as a dog. I will be looking buy a new pump after New Years once the bank calms down. I really appreciate the offer Jamie and I may take you up on the pump, "disabled" so it would be hell for me. I might even feed you depending on how my frig gin health is at the time! And yes I did contact you about the headlights. I need to deal with the pump first, my wife is out of a job after 17 years with the same company.
Sorry I didn't get back to you guys sooner, I'm sick as a dog. I will be looking buy a new pump after New Years once the bank calms down. I really appreciate the offer Jamie and I may take you up on the pump, "disabled" so it would be hell for me. I might even feed you depending on how my frig gin health is at the time! And yes I did contact you about the headlights. I need to deal with the pump first, my wife is out of a job after 17 years with the same company.
unity
Dedicated LVC Member
Yes, if you get them up and shut the switch off they should stay. They may vary in height based on temperature, but if there are NO leaks they should stay up for a long time. The system is no 100% air-tight, more like 99% when its new. So if you get them up you should be able to go months and be okay.
beerdog
Well-Known LVC Member
Which shuts off first. The vent solenoid or the bag solenoids?
chris2523
93 Mark VIII
same time.