I have been dealing with various issues on my 2006 LR3 and can't seem to pinpoint the problem. Front bags deflate completely within hours of parking and had suspension faults every time we drove it. I replaced the front bags which stopped the faults but still deflates within hours so I replaced the front valve block with an Amazon part just to see if it helped initially and it would deflate and inflate erratically so I put the original back in. When starting it inflates immediately and holds air but compressor runs way too long, it eventually shuts off but still shouldn't run as long as it does. Trying to determine if I get an OE front valve block or if the leak could be in the dryer or tank, I disconnected the battery and the front bags still deflated overnight so definitely a leak but not in the bags. Any suggestions?

 

Sounds like a valve block issue. Also could be a leak in the hoses. Use a soapy water solution to help find a leak to the hoses or any connections.

 

Would be worth refreshing the compressor as well just to help rule that out, have you tried pulling the fuse and leaving overnight and checking in the morning ?
I'd pull your original valve block apart and check clean and fit new seals.

 

I agree. Check the compressor dessicant can. It can be replaced rather cheaply and it is fairly easy except for the removal of the compressor from below the rear driver side door. It will help the compressor runeasier. That said, it won't fix any leaks you may have in the lines.

 

Got around to replacing the front valve block and now issues are totally different. Before the front struts would deflate after parking and the compressor ran forever before turning off, now the left rear deflates after parking and the compressor runs for a minute before I get a fault and the suspension goes into normal height mode, after that compressor doesn't run again and bags don't deflate until parked. Sound more like desiccant or compressor now? I'm at the point of taking it to a shop or throwing coilovers on.

 

Is the compressor running for a long time and then shutting off? Or only running for a minute and shutting off?

If you have a GAP tool, monitor the compressor temp. Seems like it’s overheating and shutting off.

double check all the air line connections, you have a leak somewhere.

one last thought, do you have any water leaks? Could be an electrical issue. Wouldn’t explain the deflating bags, but would be a contributing factor for trouble codes.

 

At first it was running for a minute then shutting off, then it would run for several minutes and temps would get to 150ish degrees. I deflated the bags and cleared codes with my Gap tool then it would appear normal but the fronts filled slower than the rear and would take too long to fill so, I think I have a leak somewhere and there has to be a sensor or something that is bad so I'm ordering the coilovers. Thanks for all the suggestions, love the EAS but after 15 trouble free years it is now one thing after another and I don't have time for it.

 

....well this is an unhappy ending!

What were the codes?

I feel like you gave up on the EAS too quickly. After 15 trouble free years, it sees like patient diagnosis is in order, the solution is usually DIY anyway. Is it too late? Did you order the coilover kit?

 

If the bags are empty then it takes a while for them to fill and likely overheat the compressor trying to inflate in one go, at 15 yo its bound have parts that wear out and it will likely cost you more for the coil kit than to fix it.

 

Somewhere in the ownership cycle I believe that darn near every LR3 owner has considered coils. I know I have, especially after the last incident where I dropped the LR3 into access mode and it never recovered on its own. After looking into the cost of the coils and the incidentals invovled, I came to my senses and did what needed to be done. Seems to me if you have a Gap and the will to chase these problems they are resolvable. If you don't and you need a vehicle that is always on its toes then possbly LR ownership is not your best course. Perhaps a nice 4Runner would suit you better.