Another "Normal height only" thread

[JamesH]

Hi All, I've read some threads on this topic but you guys seem a lot braver and willing to pull your compressors apart to renovate and repair. It's not really in my skill set.

I'm getting the normal height only warning once every two journeys. I've learned it's because the compressor is taking too long to fill the tank.

Given I wouldn't try my own repairs is the only other solution replace it? Do the dealers or independents ever fix it? I'm not too happy, it's a late MY12 with 60k on it. I want more than six months out of warranty before it needs replacing ☹️

I have used access height pretty much every time I use it. It hasn't towed ever or been off-road very much (alas). Should I stop using access height unless I need it for kids and elderly?

Am I right in thinking I need to take action now and I can't ignore it until I'm going on an off road trip because one day it will drop to bump stops?

Thanks for any advice.

JH

[Grentarc]

It shouldn't drop to bump stops unless it detects another fault - mine had a fault logged that it thought there was a leaking spring, which is why it dropped.
First thing I would do if I was you would be to clean out the filter that sits in the body cavity behind the LH tail light, as yours may seal better than mine, and be full of dust, restricting the air inlet enough to cause issues - although this may be clutching at straws.

I would definitely reduce your use of access height to only when absolutely needed, just to try and prolong the life until it can be replaced. Any workshop should be able to replace the compressor, as it is 3 pipes, 2 electrical connectors, a relay and 6 bolts in total.

[JamesH]

I would definitely reduce your use of access height to only when absolutely needed, just to try and prolong the life until it can be replaced. Any workshop should be able to replace the compressor, as it is 3 pipes, 2 electrical connectors, a relay and 6 bolts in total.



Thanks for the advice. Aside from this problem I've got now, are you saying as a rule to maximise compressor life one should not use access height unless you need it? I've always used it because I've had the impression lowering when parked is a good idea. It's not something I need to do for any ongoing health issue.

[Grentarc]

Thanks for the advice. Aside from this problem I've got now, are you saying as a rule to maximise compressor life one should not use access height unless you need it? I've always used it because I've had the impression lowering when parked is a good idea. It's not something I need to do for any ongoing health issue.

AMK state that the compressor has a life of "3500 cycles (approx. 1000 operating hrs. to test cycle)" which equates to 3,500,000 hours of running, but that is with a running time no longer than 200 seconds per run (OR </= 25% duty cycle per 10 minutes = 150 seconds per 10 minutes). The D4 will run the compressor for longer than 200 seconds if the car is lowered and then raised, so every time you start at access height, you are running the compressor outside it's recommended parameters. This could be a reason for the compressor to wear out early, along with dust getting past the filter etc.

[scarry]

Knowledgeable others on here also mention lowering to access height and then leaving the vehicle to sit, does not do the bushes in the suspension arms any favours.

I only lower or raise my vehicle if absolutely necessary,to reduce air compresser running time.

[letherm]

Knowledgeable others on here also mention lowering to access height and then leaving the vehicle to sit, does not do the bushes in the suspension arms any favours.


I need to use access height as my wife is disabled. I generally select access height as I enter or leave the driveway so that the car is moving to mitigate this risk.

Martin

[Graeme]

Am I right in thinking I need to take action now and I can't ignore it until I'm going on an off road trip because one day it will drop to bump stops?Tardiness in raising the reservoir pressure triggers 'normal height only' but the inability to achieve normal height will trigger a drop to the bump-stops. Hence don't let the situation deteriorate too far by waiting too long before replacing the compressor.

I only change heights if the current height is not appropriate but will do so every time and replace the compressor as needed. For me, the variable height is there to be used rather than just keep the vehicle level regardless of load, for which it's also used.

[Babs]

I'm confused now, I was planning on using access height and extended access height with Llams whenever I remember, I love the ease of getting in/out and accessing the rear at this height.

Doesn't the HSE automatically drop to access height when stopped in Park ❓

It makes sense about the extra wear but I would have thought this was what they're made for ❓ I'd be interested to hear others opinions on this.

Thanks to James on his thread. :)



Cheers, Babs :D Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[letherm]

Doesn't the HSE automatically drop to access height when stopped in Park ❓

It makes sense about the extra wear but I would have thought this was what they're made for ❓ I'd be interested to hear others opinions on this.


My MY13 HSE does NOT drop to access height when stopped in Park and I would think that this is normal behaviour. IMHO if it wasn't made to be used LR would not have provided it. I understand the viewpoint of those saying that they don't use it unless really necessary but it's a component of the car and if it wears out in normal usage so be it. I've used access mode since purchase every time I use the car and it seems ok so far. Coming up to 33 months since new and used multiple times per day.

Martin

[JamesH]

I've used access mode since purchase every time I use the car and it seems ok so far. Coming up to 33 months since new and used multiple times per day.

Martin


Hi Martin, I would have said exactly the same thing at 33 months, same thing at 42 months 13 days. Trouble is now I'm 42 months 15 days and I'm staring at a $1000 (?) bill


The reason I am unhappy is that it looks like you don't actually own an air-suspension compressor, you rent one for $24 a month. Netflix only costs me $11 a month! Still I replaced the tyres after three and a half years and did not complain but I'm not in the head space where an air pump is a consumable!

[letherm]

Hi Martin, I would have said exactly the same thing at 33 months, same thing at 42 months 13 days. Trouble is now I'm 42 months 15 days and I'm staring at a $1000 (?) bill


The reason I am unhappy is that it looks like you don't actually own an air-suspension compressor, you rent one for $24 a month. Netflix only costs me $11 a month! Still I replaced the tyres after three and a half years and did not complain but I'm not in the head space where an air pump is a consumable!
Hi James.

I take your point. I presume LR would call it fair wear and tear but it does seem to be a short lifespan. Maybe LR would reduce the price given it's only 6 month past warranty - worth asking. I have the extended warranty. I wonder if that's covered? :confused: That said, I still have to use it.:o Time will tell I suppose. I better start saving my pennies then. :p

Martin

[Grentarc]

Jamrs, yours does seem to have worn out extremely early, so it may be worthwhile seeing if LR will help out

[Meken]

Not even 4 yrs does seem "not fit for purpose" for a compressor - car is designed to go up & down - haven't seen anything in a manual saying "use heights adjustment sparingly as compressor will fail prematurely if used excessively"
I use access height at least once a day of not more (to get into my carport)

[Grentarc]

Yes, don't take my post about duty cycle to mean don't use it, it was just mainly me bouncing ideas around as to compressor life span. My compressor is 6 years old with being used quite a lot, and in dusty conditions - I think the dust ingress has been more of a factor over the amount of use, as bearings were not in terrible shape (the smallest one in the piston was a bit worn due to the very small amount it moved, others were still good). The cylinder wall was chewed, but the seals/rings on the twin pistons had not perished to the point that the piston had hit the walls, it was the fact that dirt had embedded in the seals/rings and acted like sand paper. The expected life span of these compressors is more than the life of the car if run at recommend duty cycle - so the little extra LR run it at, would not shorten it's life by 95%

[Russrobe]

James if it's any piece of mind, what looks like the original Hitachi compressor in ours just got replaced after 200k kms and 6 years of city driving with some towing. Has a new AMK as of last week...

[mason]

James if it's any piece of mind, what looks like the original Hitachi compressor in ours just got replaced after 200k kms and 6 years of city driving with some towing. Has a new AMK as of last week...

Im in the same situation as you. got a 2007 D3 with 205k kms and having to change the compressor.

i have 3 options.

$2000 for new AMK
$500 for new dunlop (hitachi style i believe)
$150 to rebuild it.

Obviously AMK would be the best choice but worth it? I can fit 4 Dunlops for that.

Thoughts?

[Russrobe]

Im in the same situation as you. got a 2007 D3 with 205k kms and having to change the compressor.

i have 3 options.

$2000 for new AMK
$500 for new dunlop (hitachi style i believe)
$150 to rebuild it.

Obviously AMK would be the best choice but worth it? I can fit 4 Dunlops for that.

Thoughts?
I'd still say the Amk upgrade is worth it. Have a look around, someone was sourcing an Amk for under $1000 last week.

[Grentarc]

I'd still say the Amk upgrade is worth it. Have a look around, someone was sourcing an Amk for under $1000 last week.
I got my AMK for under $800 delivered, but doesn't have the hose pieces to convert a Hitachi setup. You also need the software updated to the AMK software, which an IID Tool can do.

Im in the same situation as you. got a 2007 D3 with 205k kms and having to change the compressor.

i have 3 options.

$2000 for new AMK
$500 for new dunlop (hitachi style i believe)
$150 to rebuild it.

Obviously AMK would be the best choice but worth it? I can fit 4 Dunlops for that.

Thoughts?

[mason]

I got my AMK for under $800 delivered, but doesn't have the hose pieces to convert a Hitachi setup. You also need the software updated to the AMK software, which an IID Tool can do.

Where was that from and did it include the covers?

Anywhere in OZ i can get a pipe conversion from?

from what i understand the AMK will still run on the old software, so that would get me going short term.

thanks once again

[Grentarc]

Where was that from and did it include the covers?

Anywhere in OZ i can get a pipe conversion from?

from what i understand the AMK will still run on the old software, so that would get me going short term.

thanks once again

Mine didn't come with covers as I am replacing an AMK with an AMK.

I bought mine from McDonald 4x4 in the UK, through their ebay store. took 6 days to arrive

AMK AIR Suspension Compressor FOR Discovery 3 4 OR Range Rover Sport LR078650 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/361530003191)

Have a look at this though
LR061663 | LR061663 AMK Air Suspension Compressor Kit Discovery 3 4 Range Rover Sport | SHOP4AUTOPARTS (http://www.shop4autoparts.net/Discovery-3-LR3/Discovery_3_Axle_and_Suspension/Air-Suspension-Discovery-3/LR061663_AMK_Air_Suspension_Compressor_Kit_Discove ry_3_4_Range_Rover_Sport.html)

This is the conversion kit including pipes, cover and compressor

If you know someone with an IID Tool, it's about $100 (depending on exchange rate) to add your VIN to their tool so that they can update your software (and make any changes you like)