Air Suspension leak found video attached, Please help
#1
Air Suspension leak found video attached, Please help
Hello I found the leak plaguing my XJR, Can I loosen this nut and replace the suspected o-ring leak below it while still in the car? The car is currently functional and I don't want to open a can of worms. Advice requested. The pictures attached are something I found on this forum. I i suspect the oring is the leak.
https://nm.box.com/s/68gkgqxz8fj68fe4lw1qtcr9xoo3ff3a
https://nm.box.com/s/68gkgqxz8fj68fe4lw1qtcr9xoo3ff3a
#3
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Hello I found the leak plaguing my XJR, Can I loosen this nut and replace the suspected o-ring leak below it while still in the car? The car is currently functional and I don't want to open a can of worms. Advice requested. The pictures attached are something I found on this forum. I i suspect the oring is the leak.
Hi karaudio23,
From your video it appears the leak is from the rubber top seal of the air spring, or possibly from the ECATS solenoid (where the electrical harness connects). The pressure-retaining valve (PRV) shown in the photo you posted is where the air hose connects, and that is not where your leak appears to be.
34by151 has developed a method of welding a sealing ring onto the top of the air spring, but that is not feasible for most DIYers. I have read of one owner sealing up that area with epoxy (I think it was on the U.K. Jaguar Forums). For most owners a leak that bad in that area means replacing the entire air spring/damper. Our car has a slow leak in the same area that only acts up when the ambient temperatures fall below about 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sorry!
Don
Last edited by Don B; 08-10-2017 at 09:07 AM.
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AD2014 (08-18-2017)
#4
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I haven't had mine apart to see if there's an O-ring there, but you would assume there is. You might drop reyesl a private message to ask if he knows or if he has a photo showing the ECATS solenoid. His cutaway photos are the best we have, but unfortunately they don't clearly show how the solenoid is sealed:
Front Air Spring Cut-Away
Cheers,
Don
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Cheers,
Don
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AD2014 (08-18-2017)
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Don did nothing come of this? https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...p-seal-131201/
Personally, I would try bending small hooks on the ends of straightened paper clips or other suitable wire, or a good pair of tweezers, and if neither works, buy some small needle-nose pliers with long thin jaws, or a set of O-ring picks, or a couple of small crochet hooks from Hobby Lobby or Jo-Ann Fabrics.
Cheers,
Don
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AD2014 (08-18-2017)
#11
One thing to consider is the top rubber is worn.
This wear results in the leak which will get progressively worse.
Also this rubber takes approx 1/3 of the vehicle weight.
The rubber not only takes the weight of the vehicle but seals the air.
Fixing the leak without replacing the the rubber cant be guaranteed how long the strut will last. You are only blocking the air escaping by adding another seal. The root cause is still present.
That being said adding a cap between the inner and outer steel caps will stop your air escaping.
For me it was done as an emergency measure till new struts could be installed. Ive managed to secure a new set of sport struts which will give my XJR enough longevity. Not sure if you have sport of comfort struts. Comfort units are available (OEM and Aftermarket). Sports are unavailable.
Cheers
34by151
This wear results in the leak which will get progressively worse.
Also this rubber takes approx 1/3 of the vehicle weight.
The rubber not only takes the weight of the vehicle but seals the air.
Fixing the leak without replacing the the rubber cant be guaranteed how long the strut will last. You are only blocking the air escaping by adding another seal. The root cause is still present.
That being said adding a cap between the inner and outer steel caps will stop your air escaping.
For me it was done as an emergency measure till new struts could be installed. Ive managed to secure a new set of sport struts which will give my XJR enough longevity. Not sure if you have sport of comfort struts. Comfort units are available (OEM and Aftermarket). Sports are unavailable.
Cheers
34by151
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#13
Yes I would replace the oring and use loctite 569 on the threads
If the leak is still present you can weld in a ring to seal the leak or replace the strut.
If you chose to repair the strut remember the rubber is worn and will continue to wear and your repair is only blocking the leak not repairing the root cause
Cheers
34by151
If the leak is still present you can weld in a ring to seal the leak or replace the strut.
If you chose to repair the strut remember the rubber is worn and will continue to wear and your repair is only blocking the leak not repairing the root cause
Cheers
34by151