Thread: Suspension errors

MY08 still on original pump never faulted still changes height promptly.

Changed desiccant and end cap (cause it was part of the kit) a few years back but otherwise its original as is all of the air suspension system.

When I search on a few of my standard (UK) parts websites, I come up with many different varieties of kits. Some look similar, with varying pricing... See image... Which is better?

Also, is there an exhaust valve 'overhaul kit'? I haven't seen anything, although one of the websites mentions a 'delivery valve' overhaul kit... Should I be doing everything at once?

Thanks

compressor kits.jpg

Different kits contain different items but you can also buy bits individually.

When I bought my X8R kit it came with filters, desicant, piston ring and glide ring. I separately bought the metal cap and the exhaust valve and its housing.

If you had an actual mechanical failure you can also get kits for the conrod, piston and cylinder barrel.

So work out what you need and just order what you need.

I would order filters, desicant, piston ring glide ring, metal cap and exhaust valve and housing - X8R should be able to provide all this. Be aware that replacing the exhaust valve can be problematic on older units as the housing corrodes in - mine snapped off and is now sealed with superglue but works fine. When I next need to remove the compressor I will drill the exhaust housing out and replace the housing.

The opinion now, is that the AMK is not really a better compressor than the Hitachi and as all rebuild parts are now available, so unless the is a breakage of the compressor chassis etc there is now little point in upgrading.

garry

+1 for the X8R kit.

Type this into ebay: 221613451815

This is kit i used, compressor is very happy.

If the piston conrod is not buggered dont touch it. Replace all the seals and filters plus dessicant, and the piston sealing ring.

Bying the end cap separately later costs more. its a quality alu machined cap and you also get new nickel plated air line fittings included. Definitely worth thr money.

The old ones on the plastic cap were shagged.

Hmm. Well I bought the X8R kit and the desiccant hasn’t lasted as long as the factory stuff. Maybe I’m unlucky.

Yes but your desiccant looks OK - it is not the white powdery stuff that indicates it has gone off. New metal plates are not provided in kits so i would say that your corroded metal plate is the original that came with the compressor.

The corrosion on the plates indicates you may be getting lots of moisture in your system. The system sucks in air from the cabin where it is assumed that people drive around with climate control on so the air is dehumidified - drive around in a humid climate with the windows down then more than usual humidity gets into the system which the beads have to soak up.

Likewise when air from the suspension system that is supposedly dry is exhausted when you lower, this dry air is vented back into the desiccant where it is supposed to pick up the moisture that it absorbed when air was being sucked in and is then vented to atmosphere.

Now I am not saying that you drive around with your windows down and climate control off but maybe you have a hole in the inlet piping system - mast likely caused by chaffing that allows air from under the car rather than from inside the car to be taken into the system.

I would have done what you indicated - cook that dessicant, maybe clean up and paint that metal plate and reassemble - after cooking that dessicant should have changed back to a dirty brown colour - if not then it was no good.

Hope it works for you

Garry

Hey Garry
So the desiccant was quite damaged and gritty. I discarded a bit on refilling.
I suspect a couple of things
- I had an in cabin water leak in the footwell over winter. This would have increased humidity in the compressor
- it’s possible there’s a pinhole leak somewhere in the system so it’s constantly ingesting air but never exhaling so it can never dry. There is no lowering or signs of a leak however.

I’ll bargain on another desiccant kit for next year with fresh filters.

Thanks for the feedback - ordered full kit from X8R for compressor overhaul. Here's hoping I can get another 10yrs (well maybe another 5yrs!) out of my Hitachi compressor...