Replace the Airmatic Air Compressor

Replace the Airmatic Air Compressor

Whether you’re off-roading or simply enjoying your Mercedes S-class W220 on a long road trip, a properly functioning air suspension system is crucial to a comfortable ride.airmatic air compressor Aside from inflating camping equipment and river rafts, compressed air can also power a number of exciting off-road accessories, like air lockers that lock differentials instantly on all four wheels for intense traction over rough terrain. Of all the components that make up the airmatic system, though, it’s the compressor that is most likely to fail and need replacing.

The AIRmatic air compressor is responsible for creating the compressed air that powers the entire air suspension system.airmatic air compressor It’s a relatively simple electrical compressor that is installed in the AIRmatic Central Reservoir (42) and generates 13-16 bar of pressure at all times. This is a relatively high pressure for a vehicle and this helps to reduce wear on the other systems in the vehicle.

In normal operation, the AIRmatic system uses the AIRmatic central reservoir as well as a series of sensors and solenoid valves to control the height of the vehicle. If the system needs to level the vehicle after loading or when driving on uneven surfaces, it does so using a combination of the air pressure in the compressor and the AIRmatic pressure sensor. This is to minimize noise as well as reducing the amount of compressed air used.

The AIRmatic compressor is equipped with an air dryer that keeps moisture out of the system. It’s important to keep an eye on this dryer as it can eventually fail, and if it does, water can damage the compressor. In addition, the AIRmatic compressor is fitted with an oil separator that keeps the oil and air in separate tanks. Over time this can also fail, and the oil can leak into the compressed air stream, damaging the compressor.

If there is a failure in the airmatic compressor, it will cause the AIRmatic system to malfunction and display error messages on the instrument cluster. An error code such as “AIRMATIC STOP, CAR TOO LOW!” will appear when the air pressure in one of the struts drops below a critical level.

If this is the case, you will need to replace the AIRmatic compressor relay (K40/7kO) and fuse. A faulty compressor will run nonstop, overheat and eventually burn out the relay and fuse. A replacement kit is available from Miessler Automotive, which includes the compressor relay and fuse along with a new AIRmatic Compressor unit (A9/1) for around EUR 200. The AIRmatic compressor unit is easy to replace as it is only connected to the AIRmatic valve block by two screws. It’s also possible to replace only the AIRmatic valve block without the compressor. This can be done by unscrewing the valve block with a 27mm wrench and is fairly simple. You can even do this yourself if you want to save money on the repair bill.

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