I've read many of the threads on ride height. I purchased my 2004XJ8 in April and even if sitting for a week it has maintained proper ride height. With winter weather it has still worked fine with overnight temperatures of 17F and sitting for a day or three.

This weekend I took the car to Vermont for the start of the ski season. It sat for 24 hours with overnight temperatures slightly below zero (-8F) and it was plus 8F when I went to go home. The car was sitting low in the front so I started it and let it sit in park until I heard the compressor turn off (1 - 2 minutes) then shut it down for 30 seconds and restarted it. I needed to do this three times to get the low suspension light to go out.

After driving ~10 miles a suspension fault message came on, I stopped the car and again cycled the car in park two times to get the height back to normal. After 40 miles of these 10 mile stops I stopped for fuel and left the car off for ~10 minutes while I fueled and took a break. After this stop (temperature was up to 13F) the car was fine for the remaining 200 mile drive home.

So the question, What are the odds I can nurse the car through the winter this way until warmer weather when I would buy new front suspension units? Or should I just bite the bullet and do the work outside on a weekend?

 

1. You should try the soap bubble spray test first (free). Spray soap water directly on top of the strut unit and see it leaks at all before you spent big dollars.

2. I have similar issue but only in the extreme cold weather. I have read many threads and potentially, there are seals in air system that frozen and harden which caused leak.

3. I am assuming that your Jag has a high mile since it's a 2004. You should replace the compressor piston ring ($50.00). I just did my yesterday and it was not difficult to remove and replace the ring. It was a little bit hard to resintall due to trying to hold the mount spacers and springs in place; and without damage air hoses. I actually bought the piston ring kit many months ago , anticipation of the suspension fault message. I noticed that the new kit now comes with desiccant pack.

Also read this: related to air reservoir. http://www.jaghelp.com/2013/08/super...-odd-leak.html

 

It depends if you still intend to go to very cold areas and/or if you wish to be assured 100% that your suspensions hold when chilling cold.
It seems that your shocks may start going to the exit but are still functional under moderate cold (or after some warming in the engine bay).
Last winter I let it go with weak front shocks but it was a pita when very cold.
This winter, it started again but much worse and the compressor could not cope with the cold, even after engine warming and driving...
Now just changed my two font shocks with B4's and no downing of the car anymore during cold nights.
Up to you!

 

My fronts were not near that bad, but replaced them with Arnots, & have been very pleased with the results. Believe the fronts were about $830, new, & delivered to my door.

 

Well ordered a new ring for the compressor. Change the easy stuff first. Car has been sitting outside since Sunday (temperatures 30 - 45) and still looks fine. See how it handles New Years in VT.

Bought with 60K miles currently at 72K miles. The car fax listed dealer service for suspension a year ago but Jaguar USA (unlike Jaguar Europe) does not provide a summary of dealer services performed on their cars. So I don't know if was just bushings or something more than that.