Have been dealing with what appears to be a slow sls leak on my 01 Disco II in th past few months. The truck seems to choose random times (only when not driving) to exhaust or leak air from the rear airbags. After reading related topics etc and deciding how to diagnose/attack this problem, I was redoing the brakes and I found air bleeding through pinholes in the LH airbag. I decided to use tire slime on the interior of the airbag in an effort to stop the leak! This did not fix it, and after finding pinholes and repeating the repair on the RH side (which seems to have helped greatly as the compressor doesn't run nearly as much and the truck stays up for longer while sitting) It still leaks down randomly.

I am a carpenter by trade and primarily use the truck for side work on weekends to haul tools and materials inside (my SE7 seats 2!!!). It dawned on me that the bag deflation may simply be some sort of response to the permanant heavy load in the truck. Is it possible that the computer causes this? It isn't possible to test this theory as I frequently use these tools and don't have a convenient place to store them for a week to see if the truck stays up while unloaded. I'm taking delivery on a trailer for all of my tools in a few weeks which means the truck will be empty forevermore and all tools will live in the trailer with truck being used to tow when they're needed and drop trailer when don't.

Is this theory off-base? I can't find any info to support this. Next step will be talking to a dealership for clues if noone here knows.

PS The SLS system works perfectly in all respects except for this. Thanks in advance for any input!

-Dave

 

You might want to switch to coils.

 

NOOOO!!! dont do it!!!

Replace the Airbags and it will be fine again, they are not that expensive and take 20 mins a side to do. Switching to coils is a bad idea if your going to tow as you loose the Self levelling capability, even with the negative "issues" of problems that can arise with the SLS system, the positives for out way a switch to coils.......just my opinion........

PS, if you Dont replace the bags soon, your compressor will give up the ghost as well trying to "keep" up with the leaks...............so make a choice, if your keeping the airbags (best idea :P) then get em changed asap.....

 

Weight is not a factor. The system is not working properly. I personally agree 100% with Urban Panzer comments, but the switch to coils is always an option. Your call.

 

Never ever put goo in the bags, it will work it's way back into the solenoids and then you are in real trouble.
Your bags are shop, replace as a pair using Arnott air bags.

 

Hey guys,
Thank you all for input. I've slimed the airbags using a minimal ammount of slime and only swirled it around the bottom of the bag where the "pinholes" were. Until I can get some money together to get a new set of bags It'll have to do. It's been working great without issue for a few days now. I think it's a great repair for the $15 that I spent total versus the $400+ for new bags. This is a great repai also as the worst that could happen is cleaning or replacement of one exhaust valve or a few pieces of tubing. I believe that this can be avoided by making an effort to not put too much slime in the bag and simply coating the lower leaky portion.

Weather weight is a factor or not, it will all be out soon as my job trailer is done and I'll be picking it up later this week!

Thanks for replys guys!
-Dave