Hello Everyone

I recently had the issue many have with the air suspension fault warning light appearing. After looking through the forums I decided to try replacing the gaskets inside the compressor and it seemed I was lucky enough to have fixed the issue.

Unfortunately I now have an intermittent hissing from the front left of the car. It sounds like a valve of sorts releasing every 10 mins or so. I have no suspension issue and the car drives fins but this hissing is a worry. Would anyone know what could be the cause and how i may look to rectify if i can.

Thank you in advance

Adrian

 

I would suggest looking for a leak in the valve fitment easily visible at the top of the strut. Soapy water will give some indication if it happens when you are looking.

An intermiitent leak elsewhere is less likely than a permanent leak.

 

Thank you John

 

By the way I was born in Kent so know it pretty well as of many years ago.

 

John

Would the valve be behind the splash guard. Im sure its obvious but I am still learning as I go.

Where in Kent were you born?

 

The system is designed to exhaust some air back through the compressor to blow water out of the water trap. It was a regular occurrence on my two X350s. However, not every 10 minutes though. Now I no longer have to bother as my XE is sprung on steel !

 

The wooden spatula in the pic above is pointing to the inlet valve on my rhs shock. You can see the black air pipe going down into the brass valve fitting.

I was born is Maidstone and lived in Tonbridge for most of my youth where I attended The Judd School.

 

Many people have become fed up with the air system in these cars and have gone to coilover replacements like Frazer above.

My system, touch wood, has been incredibly reliable and is one of the things that makes my car such a joy to drive especially when my wife is not with me and I can get a bit spirited.

I have made many modifications so have a bit more power than a standard set up.

I am retired so I do not use my car every day and certainly not during wet or snowy weather.

The odd thing is that I have never been ticketed in the Jag even tho I have passed or been passed by police cars way over the speed limit on major roads at night.

I have been ticketed twice in my Range Rover.

 

Love Kent

We lived in Hythe for many years.

 

When not running the car likes to keep itself level. If there is a leak in one strut it may release air in the other three to keep the car level. It wakes up to do this intermittently. I think the exhaust is through the air drier, which is up front as part of the compressor.

 

Hi Adrian,

The only intentional route for air to escape the air suspension is via the exhaust valve, which is mounted on the air compressor. Water and corrosion tend to collect inside the valve, so it's a good idea to remove it and clean it out when rebuilding the compressor. The valve should not open as frequently as you describe, but it should be easy to discern whether it is the source of your hiss simply by listening at the front left wheel well/bumper area.

Another possible source of an intermittent leak and hiss is a leak in an air spring bladder that seals up when the bladder is either fully or partially inflated, but opens up when the bladder is in the opposite state. I've especially seen this on cars that sit so low that the air bladders roll down over themselves. A leak may seal over when the bladder has rolled all the way down, then open up again when the bladder extends under full pressure.

jackra_1's advice about checking for leaks at the air hose fittings and brass pressure-retention valves is a great idea too.

Cheers,

Don

 

That picture helps. I'll check mine since if it has been a few days and it is colder than the mid 50s (f), I get a suspension error and the car rides low. I know I have leak somewhere.

How do you access the hose fittings on the rear air shocks?

 

From the boot

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x.../#&gid=1&pid=4

 

Thanks! I'll start looking into where the leak is (whether a connection, hose, or air bag).

 

Thank you Don