Mercedes Benz Air Suspension: Finding air leaks

Just a quick diag on a Mercedes Benz with the fancy air suspension system. This one is bottomed out!
In this case it makes sense to test before replacing, since the parts cannon is VERY EXPENSIVE for these vehicles.
Enjoy!
Ivan

[@wilson713]

Audi customers usually give up on repairing air suspension around the 100k mile mark. I rarely see an older A8 without suspension faults stored. Word of caution: doing that test on certain Lexus models will blow out the air struts. Suspension can't be active when the car is on a lift. Saw a tech do that on accident when I was working at a Lexus dealer. Service manager was thrilled.

[@frankgonzalez24]

I worked at the Hummer dealer when an H2 with air springs that didn't shut off came in. We were able to stop the compressor by pulling the relay. At that time, the air springs were fully inflated. A while later, we reinstalled the relay and got it up on the lift. The compressor started and kept on going, and going, and going. The service manager was under the H2 trying to disconnect the height sensor when one of the air springs blew. When the air spring blew, it sounded like a bomb went off in the shop. The bursting of the spring left the service manager deaf for a short time. So just be careful when repairing the air suspension, because when the air spring or strut bursts, it will give you a scare that you will not forget and will make you remember to shut off the air compressor.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Wow that is scary... a lot of potential energy!

[@kylisirn]

Yes, a real CAR finally in the shop!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

:D

[@les536]

That's not a real car I've owned a few and can tell you Mercedes are junk

[@LordHelpUs7-7-7]

@@les536 another man's junk is another man's treasure😉👊. They're not unfixable just need to know what you're doing before you do it

[@rollingrockfan2482]

Quick and dirty good job Ivan, Jim must appreciate your help

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Jim is a great guy, I enjoy hanging out at his shop very much :)

[@Bierkameel]

This is a very common problem with the early W211, I owned an E500 but sold it after 2 failing struts and a blown compressor for the struts, some people even go back to iron springs because it's expensive to replace.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

good old fashioned steel coil springs generally outlast the vehicle...

[@baxrok2.]

Your diagnostic approach always inspires me Ivan. Thanks!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

hah I was so tempted to hook up a scanner and see if the air suspension had bidirectional controls, but was afraid of breaking this delicate piece of fancy machinery!

[@deegause2755]

Koo

[@nickbee1291]

Forget the nay sayers. The w211 was a decent car. I loved my E55. Arnott also makes a good rebuilt strut with a lifetime warranty. They are less than $1k from the dealer each as I know the AMG strut is a shade under 1k. Yes you can convert it to standard coil suspension (or coil over suspension!) from an E320 but you will need the rear lower control arms and someone with STAR DAS to turn off the airmatic system so you won't get faults.

[@nicknicu1787]

Nicholas Bibeault Absolutely agree! Most that comment haven’t even set foot in a Mercedes in their life,let alone own one! They get their brain washed by the old fart Scotty... Lol!

[@nickbee1291]

Nick Nicu I live in the same city as Scotty Kilmer and I would love to sit down with him and just figure out how legitimate he is and how much of his videos are of a created persona to attract views. It may be interesting to have a table discussion with modern diagnostic technicians and some techs with a few more years under their belts and more traditional approaches.

[@nicknicu1787]

Nicholas Bibeault You would be wasting your time,but please bring your camera and film that meeting if it ever happens! That would be priceless to watch! Perhaps until then he’ll have 60 years of “ experience “ because it seems that he adds 1 year to his “ experience “ every 3 months. Lol.

[@jackwood8307]

Love your stuff! Thanks for your time and effort in doing this!

[@doriancrosby6850]

Instablaster

[@thethracian3998]

Thanks Ivan, that was terribly helpful.

[@smacdiesel]

I recently replaced rear air struts on a e320 wagon! Needed to purchase a $270 special tool to remove them!

[@richiejames3901]

Hey bud I got a problem with a rear strut on a 04 e500 wagon

[@richiejames3901]

What’s the part that you need?

[@ashleyhernandez2219]

Same 06 and have a problem with the back on also.

[@ljm200787]

Hey great video thanks just wondering what pins you connect to in order to open valve to blow strut as it's a 3 pin plug?

[@stephenlawrence4362]

Great to see you on video again. Keep em coming Ivan!

[@SmittySmithsonite]

WOW what a rip! Glorified air shocks - used to be able to buy a pair for the rear of our old full-framed RWD cars for $18! Had a set in my El Camino too that the previous owner installed. Ran the crap out of that thing, with all kinds of stuff in the back, and never had one leak in 11 years of ownership! Cost me less than $300 to throw a set of Bilsteins on my Silverado a few years back, too. Guess I'll steer clear of German cars. :)

[@santaclaracountyresidentn1014]

Those are not thousand dollar aibags. You can get them for less than $300. These guys are very amateur at best 🤦🏼

[@ozzstars_cars]

Let the air out of the other three struts and call it a day or call it ghetto, depends on the perspective.

[@elcheapo5302]

What falls faster than gravity? German car resale values.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

xD good one!

[@francismartinez6049]

bill billl I don't know man....I heard someone got offered -$75 dollars and a cheeseburger for trade in on their Hyundai.

[@nandor690]

bill billl because the wrong people have them and don’t maintain them properly. Just like anything else.

[@sisobesobeso5115]

Absolutely true 😝

[@rosssmith9941]

bill billl lol

[@mannyroias3392]

Missed whatching your repair videos keep them coming 😀

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Yeah sorry for being MIA got some good ones coming up shortly :)

[@careyautorepairs]

I love Scotty Kilmer, he's defo the best man on KZbin he's very funny with his pop-up images ha ha. Only he could get away with some of it.

[@blackwell1384]

These are available from rebuilt. arnott for $599. I believe they also offer a swap to springs and shocks and will buy your cores to rebuild. These things are on a fair number of expensive cars

[@tam1381]

Ivan done a few of these. The Autel lets activate the suspenison so you can pressurise the system . Had many leaks from the rear of these. German junk.

[@guardcanada]

welcomme back ivan ,good to see you

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Glad you are here too! More good stuff on the way :)

[@francismartinez6049]

I bought my Mercedes used at a Certified Toyota dealer so it's gonna be just as reliable as a Toyota. Scotty said he only buys from Toyota..so I went to my local Toyota dealer and picked up a sweat deal on a Mercedes for only $7,000. If the owner would have purchased this Mercedes from Toyota, he wouldn't be in this pickle!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

We have a BMW-Toyota dealership here in State College. The Mercedes are sold at the Nissan dealership lol!

[@francismartinez6049]

Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics lol Nissan/Mercedes dealer. That made me laugh! I guess there's 2 ways customers can now spend their $2000 "sir would like to purchase a rebuilt CVT or a shock ? (And they offer you a cheap cup of coffee). When you think about it, its probably a smart business move, they'll make plenty of money $$$

[@heyitschinoable]

Brian Lawrance too funny

[@terrellmoses]

😂😂

[@DIETRYING001]

Wealth of knowledge!

[@kaibintech]

great video!

[@wyattoneable]

My goodness. The price of parts floors me. But great video on our part Ivan, thanks.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Yeah...I can buy two decent used cars for the price of one of those fancy struts, and STILL have $$ left over xD

[@Motorsportsgeek]

rebuild ones are 500$, you gotta pay to play, cant afford the air ride, swap some regular coil overs.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Yup that is always an option!

[@istruth9089]

Bs new air shocks cost about 150$ bucks

[@LyubomirLalovMulti]

Appreciate Video clip! Apologies for chiming in, I would appreciate your thoughts. Have you tried - Patlarny Vehicle History Principle (probably on Google)? It is a great one of a kind product for discovering how to repair your car the simple way without the hard work. Ive heard some great things about it and my mate after a lifetime of fighting got great success with it.

[@SPHINX144]

@@istruth9089 not on the w211. Arnott is the most affordable option with lifetime warranty, they are $450 a piece if I remember correctly. Had to redo 4 corners in my e55 and that was the most affordable solution. I retrospect, I should have just upgraded everything to adjustable coil over suspension and never have to deal with air leaks again.

[@toroon]

Turn her into a low rider. My brother in law bought one used, now sings the blues.

[@KILO_CUTS]

toroon01 001 how man please explain, looking to buy a 01 Mercedes and one side leaks so it goes to the ground after a few days

[@throttlebottle5906]

follow the hiss lol.. "but it has three more to blow" and that they likely will do soon :))

[@robinsonsmotorcycleandauto3929]

Great video Ivan as always.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Thanks for the support! We'll get back to some interesting case studies very soon :)

[@robinsonsmotorcycleandauto3929]

Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics Hey quick question you coming Saturday to training. If so I will see you there. Didn't know if Keith talked you into going

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Yup I will be there!!!

[@cosme112002]

After I replaced the strut, I’m getting a “vehicle rising please wait” on the dash. I wait and nothing happens and the car doesn’t rise but i can clear it by pressing ok. It doesn’t come back on unless I turn off the car.. I replaced all the fuses/relays and hear the compressor reservoir kick on. Any ideas?

[@pskauto6798]

Did one of these last week customers tab was $1400 parts and labor with oem strut .

[@dannymireles5887]

Where are you located

[@olakunleadewaleadegbile5301]

What state? I want mine done.

[@19lol19]

They dont cost that much? Purchased 2 from advanced auto parts back in 2014 still working great..

[@19lol19]

Badluck myself my right front side blew

[@flatratemaster]

Very very common problem

[@gregory891]

Go to Arnott in Florida for OEM quality air struts and air springs.

[@babycap783]

03 Mercedes wit 210k miles having this prob with my front right

[@Gurbalert]

What’s the best affordable way to replace?

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Sell your Mercedes 😅

[@justinjames7848]

"start your engine's"! 1,2,3,4. Hi, I'm Scotty Kilmer and Today we're going to remove a catalytic converter & clean the inside in a bucket of dish soap, then re-install...

[@jonathantucker2319]

So if it's still driving but when you stop at a light and you see it rising again. Constantly is it the struts?

[@jeremyanthony9300]

Ivan, 2 grand for one of those struts is ridiculous. are they hard to install?

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Jim did the install on his own. Not that difficult of a job, just have to watch out for the sensitive air and electrical connectors during installation...

[@riddimentertainment5459]

Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics what's the model and year of this Mercedes???

[@carloscanziani1644]

@@riddimentertainment5459 w211 e class, it´s between 2002 and 2006. Preface lift

[@themechanic6117]

I have a video up on replacing a air strut on a range rover...only to have a defective part installed that's also leaking...

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Don't you hate it when that happens?!?

[@sisobesobeso5115]

Quick and soapy 😁

[@18888888888888888886]

This w211 chassis Mercedes is very rare in the US and the world. its rare in the US because is has the M112 engine 3.2 v6 and rare in the world on the count its a w211 chassis v6 post 06 with the M112 WITH AIRMatic suspension usually the AIRMatic was only fitted to the E500 and E55 and i know that in Europe it could come on a diesel version too. AND if the owner wanted to switch the suspension to the normal suspension he can and its very cheap 4 corners cost less than 1 AIRMatic strut and the warnings could be switched off by using the Autel Maxisys changing the coding in the IC and ECU and then removing the AIRMatic fuse. the car will need a good Alignment shop then...

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

hmmm interesting. So it's a Mercedes, it's rare, and it has air suspension... but hey, NO RUST!!

[@mudemmeonick]

A W211 rare?! You on drugs or what? Car has nothing rare about it. Might be on the US since gas is cheaper and people tend to skip over these intermediate engines but there are plenty of them in Europe. Only thing you might call rare is the Airmatic option. Since most owners indeed pass on that. Precisely because repair costs are not worth it.

[@18888888888888888886]

Read what i wrote. this option package is very rare for a v6 320 + its POST 06 which means the rest of the world got the M272 engine and this has the M112 + M112 in the US by itself is rare

[@nickbee1291]

K this is no an 07+ w211. No updated headlamps and the trunk still has the small chrome strip over the number plate vs. The longer one on the facelift versions.

[@18888888888888888886]

hmm the headlights are post facelift but you are right its 04-06 but still im amazed but this car it seems to be special ordered as it looks even with the wheels as a 500 and its 4Matic but is a 320 m112 (in the USA which is RARE)

[@tomahawk5373]

I just replaced the Airmatic compressor and both front Airmatic shocks and the front end still slammed any advice

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Install regular springs?

[@riddimentertainment5459]

What model benz is this in the video???

[@Dalis856]

E-Class 320 or 350 04-09'

[@jesselyons2002]

Would have like to see a video on replacing the strut

[@carloscanziani1644]

Mr Lyons, there are many of them on youtube, have fun

[@setidepp4853]

Mercedes Benz owners beware!! The people from Strutmasters have a rip off with the so called "conversion kit", no matter what car it is. They advertise this conversion kit will solve the issue of the "expensive" Airmatic ride in Mercedes Benz. On the contrary, their product is a very low quality, highly expensive replacement part since it does not last more than a year and a half. When you contact them, they say it is not their fault, that they only buy parts from other vendors and put them together and they supposedly do not have any control on the durability of parts. The kit is $1,300 initially and they don't sell just the front or back sets, you have to buy the whole thing. Later on, when it fails, they urge you to buy the whole thing again. And the "discounted price" they tell you they will give you if anything happens in the future is not true. They charge $586 for each seat, front or rear, which is basically the initial price. I urge all owners of Mercedes Benz to buy the replacement Airmatic struts and save the headache of having a below average conversion with a kit that does nothing of what is advertised and really turns your car in a piece of junk that is almost impossible to go back to the Airmatic. The movements of the car change badly and then when the Strutmasters shocks begin to fail they make a horrible squeaking noise that is almost unbearable. I wish I never bought the kit from them!! I only had to save a little and buy the real thing, the OEM struts that would last years and years before failing. On top of everything Strutmasters customer service is the worst and they even use women to hide behind lame excuses!

[@nyacoustics8373]

good info. i think im going to buy arnott airmatic shocks for my s500. i always had reservations of buying stutmasters!

[@5Dale65]

Wow this owner must be a rich person! :)

[@dil6969]

Stancers would consider this an improvement.

[@spdparts8924]

Couldn't you actuate air compressor from scan tool and see its inflating?

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Probably...didn't want to risk stressing the compressor lol

[@antreassolomou8419]

Hello I've replaced my air compressor my 2 rear air bags and front right air strut but still getting the malfunction message on my dash and car lowers overnight rear right and front right any ideas?

[@carloscanziani1644]

Mr Andreas, on youtube are many examples on how to find the air leaks, probably the problem is on the level control valve. You have to seek information on youtube and please, do not dispair. Nowdays is much easier to resolve your problem. Patient and have fun.

[@danbazan1691]

I have a valve block for sale if you need it $50

[@MarkBarrey]

Ivan, I just had to replace the front struts on my 2003 E55 Mercedes. $573 new each side from FCPeuro.com

[@nicknicu1787]

Mark Barrey Exactly! There is so much BS about these cars,it’s not even funny!

[@Motorsportsgeek]

No its just because its air shocks.. any brand you chose(not many do have air suspension) will have a very high price on the air struts, including fords, a lincoln mark 8 air shock is 1900$ at the dealer. If you cant afford it, buy something with coil springs or convert.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

I've installed manually adjutable Monroe MaxAir air assist shocks on my SUV and van. They are like $120 for the pair and work very well! A while back my brother and I even used those to convert out 1998 Mazda MPV 4x4 rear suspension when the OEM air shocks blew out. Just had to install the regular 4x4 coil springs and attach the air shocks to the existing air lines and pump. Still works great to this day!

[@Motorsportsgeek]

you're right, Mercedes rapes you with prices is but they scam you, they get aftermarket compagnies to make the parts and they just put their logo and sell it 10x more. Trick with mercedes is to shop with part number and you will find aftermarket that matches and is most likely the same. But yeh, I needed a front axle for my 2009 and they wanted 1200$ for one.. i managed to get a rebuild done for 150..

[@WFS-of9eq]

Struts are $133 dollars from Amazon

[@TurdKutter]

looks nice slammed like that not gunna lie lol

[@WatchoutNSG]

how do you find a leak on the line though 9

[@GlynRobinson]

To heck with the air blowing Mercedes. I see school buses. Lol

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Brown's Busing is right across the street from Brown's Automotive!

[@GlynRobinson]

That’s awesome. I retired in school busing.

[@freethinker9048]

he didnt even use soapy water i saw zero bubbbles.

[@jeremyanthony9300]

what type of engineering do you have a degree in agian ivan

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Engineering Physics...comes in handy once in a while haha

[@jeremyanthony9300]

well thats good. that's why i like your videos so much. beacause you're so smart.

[@mudemmeonick]

If you or the owner deem your sanity as something valuable just convert that car to regular shocks. Take it from someone who has dealt with air suspensions too many times, has owned a few and converted them all with absolutely no regrets!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

agreed. I'm all about reliability and durability!

[@atpjoker6492]

how much is it to take out the air ride and just do stock suspension?

[@olakunleadewaleadegbile5301]

I'll have to see how I can do this in Ga@convert. Just got a Mercedes like the one in this video, and I guess I was standing on the wrong side when I bought it. The air thing just seems unnecessarily complex and I can hear the hissing with passenger side lowerider.

[@ronettelealmccarthy4120]

Most cost effective option for your customer is to have it re-built.

[@ctbt1832]

Why not just go to strut masters and get the coil over spring that’s made for the car🤷🏻

[@junior_8315]

How can I get mine dropped

[@JoseRamirez-eg4eo]

Yo tengo un mercedez 430s y tiene ese problema tengo que chequearlo

[@QueenCityHistory]

My 96 Lincoln Continental did the same thing. I had it all ripped out and they put in a suspension from a mercury Sable. Problem solved... $1400 later lol

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

wow a Sable suspension held up a Lincoln? Isn't the Lincoln like twice as heavy? :)

[@QueenCityHistory]

Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics well it's a continental so a little bigger than a sable. Mechanic said a crown vic or grand Marquis suspension was too big. But 8 years and still holding up. Now it just needs a new transmission lol

[@chadharmon5716]

What you have there is a fancy pos

[@willianssalame2569]

WHERE IN HELL WAS THE LEAK AT THE END NOBODY KNEW

[@phillip1281]

Goog job but replace it for the older type of suspension

[@phillip1281]

Total crap

[@Bizija123]

Lucky this wasn't ABC hydraulic. 4x the price easy.

[@binnsh]

Shoo goo outa get that barge back on the road.

[@randytheapplianceguy8838]

That's fancy pants

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

SOOOOOO FANCY!

[@HUBBABUBBADOOPYDOOP]

$2k is a lot of beer and weed...

[@SuperM1687]

I thought my Escalade air shocks were expensive...

[@jeffshearer5125]

fix a flat!

[@classicwefi]

I fixed one of these a few months ago and the reman strut leaked worst then the worn O.E. part the 2nd replacement fixed it. Poor quality control.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Was the first one a Cardone or Dorman unit?

[@classicwefi]

Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics It was an Arnott reman I was surprised when it leaked .

[@JESUS_IS_GOD]

They are as low as $180 a strut brand new eBay or $600 each for better oem the hell is he getting his prices from lmfao

[@vidsforsquids]

Airmatic is a cushy ride!!!

[@keytothegate68]

Their numbers on prices are weird

[@greenblue744]

just happen to my 07 s550

[@raymilligan9556]

I thought about buying a used benz, you can pick one up with 100k miles on it for $7000+- but the cost for the parts will put you in the poor house!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

DON'T DO IT lol

[@trippplefive]

Ray Milligan yolo . buy it...you live only once.

[@slowandreverbpoison1277]

Best cars w220 s600 and this e class

[@Cowboy_Ash]

And it will blow the other three. The dumbest ass suspension system ever designed.

[@bayareatycoon8166]

I don't know where you guys are finding your struts / shocks at but if you go online and go to Amazon you can get one for a hundred fifty bucks and they work perfectly fine sucking Jude for thousands of dollars lol

[@brucehand8031]

Rebuilt air suspension parts www.rebuildmastertech.com/mercedes-benz/cls-class/cls-class-air-suspension-parts/cls-class-2005-2011-w219-amg-airmatic/

[@denismarku1460]

Yea put some toilet Silicon and done fix it 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@istruth9089]

BULL! Air shocks don’t cost a thousand dollars or no where near that, false

[@jth1987leb]

Lol.

[@jeremyanthony9300]

scotty kilmer hates mercedes benz air ridee shocks . talk about a junk system.

[@zachariasvan3965]

Scotty sucks

[@melobsm228]

2000 for 1 strut😂😂 I can get em for 300

[@les536]

Well I can speak from experience mercedes are junk I owned 4 and learned the hard was all the Mercedes I owned the airmatic suspension failed even at one point with my kid in the car "airmatic to low visit workshop" then on w211 the sbc brake system is dangerous if the auxiliary battery fails you have no brakes then each Mercedes would go into limp mode for simple reasons then you have to go to the dealer to run the star diagnostic to get the transmission control module. To get out of 2nd gear...people who love Mercedes never had one or the nightmare associated with it...they are garbage...the AMG is built to last the amg E55 is very durable...you couldn't give me a Mercedes for free...got a honda accord now and never had a issue

[@Antto]

Buying parts for Mercedes is always worth it, and always go with OEM parts. Not that aftermarket crap meant for poor people.

[@backinthedaybmx7940]

Broke ass would complain how expensive it is to own one . Where’s all the shit talking about bmw junk ? Bmw is far worst then mercedes any day . It’s only junk when one can’t afford one .

[@hendersonjp]

Merc crap ,thats what we think in the UK

[@racrx728]

John/Can-Am Spyder GS , as opposed to what? Jaguar?🤣😂

[@chengyang4722]

Junk.haha.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Someone has to say it lol! I wish Scotty Kilmer would comment too xD

[@bborkzilla]

Overpriced, over-engineered German technology.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

It's great when it works, but sucks hardcore when it breaks...which it does quite often haha

[@zachariasvan3965]

We experience the same with American cars. Expensive over here and almost Chinese quality.

[@opl500]

Post-80s Mercs are crap.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Post-90s anything is crap! Well except maybe Toyota and Honda...and Subaru lol