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      09-15-2019, 11:51 AM   #1
Cranswick852
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Air Bag Leak?

Is this normal?

I have 2014 M Sport with air suspension rear and twice today I've noticed the rear suspension drop at least an inch after engine switch off. This isn't immediate - on each occasion I've switched off the engine, gone to the rear of the car, and whilst getting something out of the trunk (lightweight, only wiper blades) there has been a definite lowering of the car (felt against my leg resting on the lower trunk). After 3-4 seconds it's stopped.

The car wasn't already lowering when I got to the back of the car, it started whilst I was stood there. The car was on level ground.

Is this the onset of leaky bags or am I being paranoid. I've ignored leaking air bags in the past (Citroen not BMW) and ended up having to replace burnt out compressors.

Thoughts and shared experiences welcomed
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      09-15-2019, 12:27 PM   #2
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Sounds like leaking air bag, not a big deal, just replace them before your compressor gets damaged. You probably want to check these threads here:
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1511949
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1641660
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      09-15-2019, 03:31 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cranswick852 View Post
Is this normal?

I have 2014 M Sport with air suspension rear and twice today I've noticed the rear suspension drop at least an inch after engine switch off. This isn't immediate - on each occasion I've switched off the engine, gone to the rear of the car, and whilst getting something out of the trunk (lightweight, only wiper blades) there has been a definite lowering of the car (felt against my leg resting on the lower trunk). After 3-4 seconds it's stopped.

The car wasn't already lowering when I got to the back of the car, it started whilst I was stood there. The car was on level ground.

Is this the onset of leaky bags or am I being paranoid. I've ignored leaking air bags in the past (Citroen not BMW) and ended up having to replace burnt out compressors.

Thoughts and shared experiences welcomed
Please do a little reading of the many threads discussing issues with the air bags. You will see it's common to have issues and it warrants new bags. Especially with how old your X5 is.
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      09-16-2019, 07:15 AM   #4
Cranswick852
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Thank you for the responses, and the links to other threads (which I'd read) but my question is whether what I'm experiencing is normal i.e. I'm not sure there is a problem at all.

The bags don't deflate immediately at ignition switch off (it's not until I've left the car and walked round to the back that the car lowered itself), it doesn't lower completely, neither at the time or overnight (if I posted pictures I'd be inundated with advice to lower the car).

Added to this, it seems like a deliberate, controlled, lowering. Only drops an inch or so, and only over a period of 2-3 seconds. After that, it holds its position (even on both sides).

I'll book it in to the dealer if need be but they'll charge just to look at it. So, back to my original question: is the above behaviour "normal"?

Again thanks in advance for any help.
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      09-16-2019, 08:43 AM   #5
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The bags are fine
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      09-16-2019, 10:23 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cranswick852 View Post
Thank you for the responses, and the links to other threads (which I'd read) but my question is whether what I'm experiencing is normal i.e. I'm not sure there is a problem at all.

The bags don't deflate immediately at ignition switch off (it's not until I've left the car and walked round to the back that the car lowered itself), it doesn't lower completely, neither at the time or overnight (if I posted pictures I'd be inundated with advice to lower the car).

Added to this, it seems like a deliberate, controlled, lowering. Only drops an inch or so, and only over a period of 2-3 seconds. After that, it holds its position (even on both sides).

I'll book it in to the dealer if need be but they'll charge just to look at it. So, back to my original question: is the above behaviour "normal"?

Again thanks in advance for any help.
Are you parked on flat surface?incline, decline? Or does it do it all the time?
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      09-16-2019, 01:45 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cranswick852 View Post
Thank you for the responses, and the links to other threads (which I'd read) but my question is whether what I'm experiencing is normal i.e. I'm not sure there is a problem at all.

The bags don't deflate immediately at ignition switch off (it's not until I've left the car and walked round to the back that the car lowered itself), it doesn't lower completely, neither at the time or overnight (if I posted pictures I'd be inundated with advice to lower the car).

Added to this, it seems like a deliberate, controlled, lowering. Only drops an inch or so, and only over a period of 2-3 seconds. After that, it holds its position (even on both sides).

I'll book it in to the dealer if need be but they'll charge just to look at it. So, back to my original question: is the above behaviour "normal"?

Again thanks in advance for any help.
The rubber of the bag cracks at the end where it folds over. It could be that when it deflates some, the fold moves and temperarily seals itself.
See pic in this thread
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1511949

Last edited by turboawd; 09-16-2019 at 01:54 PM..
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      09-18-2019, 12:29 AM   #8
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Time for replacement. Pinhole leak possibly. Just like spark plugs, they need replacement after some time, no big deal!
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      10-15-2019, 08:55 AM   #9
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This is without a doubt one of the easiest DIY on this vehicle! Easier than a brake job. My dealer quoted me $1,800 to do both rear bags on my '14. I ordered the parts on Amazon for $256 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1).

It took all of 20 minutes to replace per side. The bags I ordered have slip-fit connectors so you don't even have to mess with screwing in the air line.
The only "specialty" tool I used was a woodworking clamp to push the axle down for removing the air bag and then for pushing it back up to reinstall the bottom. Other than that just a 10mm open end wrench, lug wrench/socket, torque wrench, and a long screwdriver/pry bar. Super, super easy.
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      10-16-2019, 07:13 AM   #10
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Should have closed the loop on this some time ago. I'm sure my bags will fail at some time but, for now, they're fine (as suggested by 'Smyles' earlier in this post.
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      10-23-2019, 09:34 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cranswick852 View Post
Should have closed the loop on this some time ago. I'm sure my bags will fail at some time but, for now, they're fine (as suggested by 'Smyles' earlier in this post.
No one here named "smyles"
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      10-23-2019, 09:58 PM   #12
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Quote:
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The bags are fine
This guy ^^
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maverik259 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cranswick852 View Post
Should have closed the loop on this some time ago. I'm sure my bags will fail at some time but, for now, they're fine (as suggested by 'Smyles' earlier in this post.
No one here named "smyles"
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      10-25-2019, 12:42 PM   #13
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I just got a X5 with 50k on it and this makes me somewhat nervous. I used to own a CL500 in the past and it was a horror story regarding the hydraulic air suspension.
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      10-26-2019, 08:02 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DeeO View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by smyles View Post
The bags are fine
This guy ^^
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maverik259 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cranswick852 View Post
Should have closed the loop on this some time ago. I'm sure my bags will fail at some time but, for now, they're fine (as suggested by 'Smyles' earlier in this post.
No one here named "smyles"
Lol that post doesn't exist in the thread that I'm looking at. That's weird
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