Air Suspension - Deflating

[batm4n]

2014 /w Third Row... Having an odd issue with the air suspension deflating on its own.

After parking and leaving it for few minute sometimes it will just deflate the whole rear. Sometimes it will deflate one side.

The odd part is that it is not able to re-inflate when you wake up the car. If you start the engine and give it a minute it will re-inflate.

The dealer looked at it and they couldn't reproduce after letting the car sit overnight. They also didn't find any leak.

I vaguely remember the old air suspension had an issue with the valve freezing up and causing issues.

Wondering if anyone has run into similar issues of deflating without leaking bags.

[splitsensetam]

Interesting. I also have the air suspension and last month I saw the rear on one side was much lower compared to the others, but didn't think much about it because it never happened again. I have a 2017 with only 25k miles.

[9mmkungfu]

Leaky bag(s). I would have them re-check.

[alphaod]

I had a problem like that. Broken compressor.

[Mr.47]

Its the airbag's its leaking around the where it creases. It takes 1-2 mins to fully fill up the air suspension (depending on how deflate it is) Unless the vehicle is in sleep mode or preserve battery mode (air pump will keep running to adjust until battery hits a low threshold) I suggest you replace them before you burn out our air compressor. I wrote a DIY replacement guide it will take 1-2 hrs to replace (CLICK HERE FOR DIY GUIDE)

[Dilmorecg]

I had to have both mine replaced at different times. Similar symptoms to your one side at a time about 5k miles between. Both around 40k miles. Got one replaced under warranty but the 2nd one was out of warranty and I did it myself. Not a hard DIY. There are also cheaper aftermarket air spring options...which is what I went with.

[smyles]

Gotta say, 40k is surprisingly low - on my previous e70 I had to replace only one air spring, and only @ ~150k. Keeping them clean, i.e. wash off dirt, is essential for longevity.

[Dilmorecg]

Originally Posted by smyles

Gotta say, 40k is surprisingly low - on my previous e70 I had to replace only one air spring, and only @ ~150k. Keeping them clean, i.e. wash off dirt, is essential for longevity.

I was surprised too...but after reading many thread on this same issue it must be design or materials they use. I believe the air springs are the same between the f15 and e70 so that is weird.

I do keep my car clean and try to wash down the wheel well area every time I wash. Not sure about the previous owner though...and I know it was in a hotter climate which may have something to do with the rubber breakdown.

[Maverik259]

Dirt isn't so much your enemy on rubber as oils and salt are. Oils from road grime and salts from winter or if you live near the ocean are gonna eat that rubber alive. Same with bushings etc

[Sphinx-3]

Had the same problem at 60k. It was so random. Sometimes I would leave the car for two days and it wouldn't go down, while other times it would deflate within an hour.

Dealer kept the car on their lot for few days and were able to replicate. Changed both bags and problem solved.

I didn't wait long because I didn't want to overwork the compressor. The longer you wait, there is a chance you would damage the compressor too.

[Nicky_do_it]

Anyone know how much it would cost to replace a bag or compressor? I am considering a used 2015 X5 with 3rd row with ~20k miles. I plan on keeping beyond warranty. I like the specs on the vehicle and would find the 3rd row handy once in a while. The air suspension is my only concern.

[alphaod]

The compressor was like $1200 plus labor, I think; thank goodness it was in warranty.

[23109VC]

My car just did this on rear passenger side. I came out to my car on a cold evening and the rear passenger side was so deflated there was almost no gap between the tire and the wheel well... on that one side it looked like I had dropped the car on lowered suspension...

When I started the car up it inflated it self back up I drove it home it didn't do it again for the next couple of days I took it to the dealer they have now had it for two days and they can't replicate it

they're claiming they can't repair it under warranty based on my statements they want to see if it'll do it on its own.

The next time it does it I'll have to take a damn picture.

My car has about 75k miles

[smyles]

My leaky bag behaved like that - totally fine for weeks, then - bam! - down on one corner after parking. Arnott bag is ~$150 and it's a rather easy DIY, so I wouldn't sweat over it.

[23109VC]

This just happened to me. Took my X5 sDrive in because a week ago I came out to the car and the passenger side rear suspension had sagged all the way down... however when I started the car it reinflate it itself I called the dealer they said to bring it in they kept it overnight it stayed inflated they ended up keeping the car four or five days and let it sit on their lot and it held air the entire time.

The only upside was they gave me a brand new X7 loaner which I happily zipped around in... then the downside is now my wife wants one that's a different post... 🤨

So they call and tell me they can't replicate the problem and I get pick up the car and I come home.... but I'm planning a trip into the snow and so when I came home I pulled off my 20 inch summer wheels/tires , jacked up the driver side to install my snow tires, and when I came around to the passenger side Yep it's deflated. !

The dealer told me this was not covered by my CPO warranty ... although I've read other people here claiming their dealer did cover it.

I've been watching the car and now even though it inflates itself after about 15 or 20 minutes of sitting it sags back down again. I'm assuming that when I jack the car up that must've been the last straw that did the bag in...

Now I have to decide if I delay my trip by a day to fix this or if I just go on the trip with it leaking I'm gonna be gone for almost a week probably covering 1000 miles.. .

Is this gonna burn out my compressor or will I be okay for the trip and deal with it when I'm back ?

[Russmov]

Originally Posted by 23109VC

This just happened to me. Took my X5 sDrive in because a week ago I came out to the car and the passenger side rear suspension had sagged all the way down... however when I started the car it reinflate it itself I called the dealer they said to bring it in they kept it overnight it stayed inflated they ended up keeping the car four or five days and let it sit on their lot and it held air the entire time.

The only upside was they gave me a brand new X7 loaner which I happily zipped around in... then the downside is now my wife wants one that's a different post... 🤨

So they call and tell me they can't replicate the problem and I get pick up the car and I come home.... but I'm planning a trip into the snow and so when I came home I pulled off my 20 inch summer wheels/tires , jacked up the driver side to install my snow tires, and when I came around to the passenger side Yep it's deflated. !

The dealer told me this was not covered by my CPO warranty ... although I've read other people here claiming their dealer did cover it.

I've been watching the car and now even though it inflates itself after about 15 or 20 minutes of sitting it sags back down again. I'm assuming that when I jack the car up that must've been the last straw that did the bag in...

Now I have to decide if I delay my trip by a day to fix this or if I just go on the trip with it leaking I'm gonna be gone for almost a week probably covering 1000 miles.. .

Is this gonna burn out my compressor or will I be okay for the trip and deal with it when I'm back ?

I still have a hard time believing it's the bags leaking on all of our X5's. I checked mine, visually inspected and physically tried to squeeze them and was unable to depress it at all. I think it has something to do with the air drier connected to our compressor, or the desiccant beads. Just my thoughts. I'm no mechanic lol

[smyles]

If compressor kicks in every 20 mins, I'd say replace the bag ASAP. While it's still roll of dice and the compressor /likely/ will survive the trip, I personally wouldn't risk it.

[ponytuning]

Originally Posted by Russmov

I still have a hard time believing it's the bags leaking on all of our X5's. I checked mine, visually inspected and physically tried to squeeze them and was unable to depress it at all. I think it has something to do with the air drier connected to our compressor, or the desiccant beads. Just my thoughts. I'm no mechanic lol

Right, if the car was out of warranty I'd try to replace the desiccant beads (< $10) in the compressor if there are no leaks before purchasing a new one for $1000+

Here's a video on youtube of someone doing just that

[Russmov]

Originally Posted by ponytuning

Right, if the car was out of warranty I'd try to replace the desiccant beads (< $10) in the compressor if there are no leaks before purchasing a new one for $1000+

Here's a video on youtube of someone doing just that

Lol, I think posted this same video a few months back in another thread on air suspension. That's how I discovered that we had desiccant beads to begin with.
I'm curious as to how long the beads last before you have to remove them again and dry them out.
I think it might be worthwhile to try, at least see if it makes a difference.

[23109VC]

So the dealer ended up honoring my extended warranty (separate from CPO) and repaired both airbags. Problem has not recurred since the fix!

Any of you think that when I was jacking up the car around all four corners to replace my wheels that could've somehow damaged the airbags??

Once or twice a year I head out to the snow and I remove my 20 inch summer tires and I put on 18 inch snow tires. Obviously I don't have a lift at my garage so I parked the car on flat ground and use a floor jack and go around to each corner jack up the car remove the wheels and replace them. I wouldn't think Jack in the car up from one corner which would compress the opposite side could damage the airbags but just curious??

Now that I have new airbags I don't want to damage them

[ponytuning]

Originally Posted by 23109VC

So the dealer ended up honoring my extended warranty (separate from CPO) and repaired both airbags. Problem has not recurred since the fix!

Any of you think that when I was jacking up the car around all four corners to replace my wheels that could've somehow damaged the airbags??

Once or twice a year I head out to the snow and I remove my 20 inch summer tires and I put on 18 inch snow tires. Obviously I don't have a lift at my garage so I parked the car on flat ground and use a floor jack and go around to each corner jack up the car remove the wheels and replace them. I wouldn't think Jack in the car up from one corner which would compress the opposite side could damage the airbags but just curious??

Now that I have new airbags I don't want to damage them

I don’t think we should worry (my x6 also has air suspension) based on this https://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1333333

[23109VC]

Thanks for that reply I will go ahead and continue swapping the wheels out the way I usually do jack in that one wheel at a time!

My car has 80,000 miles so it may just be normal wear and tear that they went out at this point!