Technical Support
Mercedes Benz W221 Valve Block
Mercedes Benz W221 Valve Block
The Mercedes E class w212 and S212 are known for their luxurious air suspension which is known as AIRmatic. The AIRmatic system is very complex and many parts are required for proper operation. A faulty or broken component can cause the suspension to fail and lead to poor ride height control. The w221 valve block is one such part. The w221 valve block is responsible for distributing the air to the front and rear struts. When this part becomes defective the car will be unable to maintain the desired ride height when driving or while parked. The w221 valve block also has a sensor that determines how much air the air compressor needs to fill the struts with. If the air compressor fails to build the correct amount of pressure, it may also become a problem for the w221 valve block.
The w221 valve block contains six air connections: one for the air compressor, four for the air bags and one for the pressure tank. Each connection is color coded. The valve block is a small part but is very important for the overall function of the air suspension. The main job of the w221 valve block is to distribute compressed air to the air bags and the front and rear struts. This is done by the six solenoid valves that are activated by the airbag ECU. The w221 valve block also acts as a reservoir for air pressure when the compressor is not running.
Over time the o-rings in the w221 valve block can dry rot and start to leak. The leaking air can then overwork the compressor and can degrade the electrical components of the solenoid. The o-rings in the w221 can also become contaminated with dirt, dust and other debris which can interfere with the functionality of the solenoid. This will also degrade the o-rings and the compression seal in the compressor. This is why the o-rings need to be replaced periodically. Arnott offers an aftermarket OE replacement w221 valve block with a new o-ring set that is backed by their limited lifetime warranty in North America. The new o-rings will prevent moisture and debris from entering the compressor and damaging the electrical solenoids within the w221. The new o-rings also include plastic retaining clips and upgraded PTFE backup rings. The new o-rings are also coated with a special material that helps to resist vibration and chemical degradation.
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