Repairing the BMW Air Suspension Compressor
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- the BMW air suspension system is a very interesting system, here you will see how the air compressor works and possible defects, the model in the video was mounted on the F models with small differences between series 5, 7 and X, but the air compressors at the following G series models are much different, everything you see and hear in my videos is what I know from my knowledge and personal experience over time.
WARNING ! This is NOT a DIY , and I'm not responsible for any damage you may do trying to copy what you see in this Video.
I've been doing this for over 15 years, that's why some things may seem simple in this videos. I have a vast experience working with BMW MINI and Rolls Royce , abbreviated BMW Group , and that's why you may see things that seem impossible or very difficult to do, done easily !
I do NOT offer services! This channel is not an advertisement for a shop or something like that, it is for Educational and Entertainment Purposes, Thank You for Understanding !
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!!! Ops it looks like you've reached the bottom !!!
Thanks for a great video. Putting some additional experience incase you run into the same problem as me. On my BMW 520d 2017 model, the car was working as normal. Then winter came along and the outside temperature dropped to minus 10 degrees celsius. All of a sudden the car would no longer lift and the ride was awful. The car then also started to display the "Chassis function restricted" in the dashboard display. After finding this video I removed the compressor unit from the car and opened it up. Sure enough the "air dryer" was full of water. I dried it, checked the other components which seemed fine and put the compressor back in the car. Nothing... The car still sitting low and no sound from the compressor and the same message on the display. I then started looking for faulty fuses. Low and behold the 40amp fuse for the compressor was fried. Changed it and....still nothing. My last resort before handing the car over to the BMW dealer was to change the relay, and BOOM! Back in action. So a long story short, the water in the air filter must have frozen when it was cold outside, this in return stopped the compressor from operating as normal thus proceeding to blow the fuse and relay. Hope this info can be of help.
Hi @chrborud83, where is this relay located? Thinking I might have the same issue as you.
Thanks!
@@Scandi10 hi. The relay in my car is in the boot on the right side behind a cover.
The problem I had may be the same, my relay was very wet next to the battery
Hi thank you for your explanation, it was really insightful.. could you please advise where you purchased the relay from? Thanks in advance.
I think this is the best video I have had the pleasure of watching. Your explanation of the sub-system, the disassembly and rebuilding was excellent. And as far as I can remember, this is the only time I've given my comments. Thank you very much.
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the feedback!
Just wanted to say another thanks for the video! I was able to successfully repair my compressor without any surprises.
The discharge valve was rusted open, and one of the solenoids in the valve block was rusted shut. Same as in your video, the silica beads were wet too. About $180 in parts later and the suspension bellows inflated and raised the car. It has been 2 weeks since the repair and it is holding up nicely.
Nice work!
I just finished this procedure and not only did I learn a lot, I got my air system working again. Your tutorial, though not a simple diy is certainly doable if you take your time and understand what each component does. You make this very clear. Thank you for showing us what each component is supposed to do and how to activate them. Nice job!
I have a '15 F15 X5 with the same issue. Where can I find the (2) valves (exhaust & distribution) for this pump?
Fantastic breakdown of the air compressor and it's sub components. This is practically a video manual on how to diagnose and repair each component with clear instructions on the equipment, specifications for proper function. After replacing my entire compressor system due to the exact conditions described I have no doubt my compressor was likely in a similar situation with an oversaturated filter and check valve stuck open as it would operate, however the recently replaced bags would not inflate. I might try to crack it open to see if that is the case and order a replacement valve so I can have a spare on hand. Thank you for the great video!
Thank you so much. I’m think I’m ready to tackle my. X5. When I clear the code it’s saying no change in pressure after the pump runs. It’s got to be that discharge valve or something. But again thanks for the info. Cheers
this is for sure one of the best guides how to work with this compressor
Thank you so much for this video. Best and most comprehensive explanation. Your video breakdown of repair/servicing the F15 compressor was exactly what I experienced on my X5. I followed your bench test and yes the solenoid was seized open. I replaced it and serviced the rest of the compressor successfully. All working perfectly . Thank you once again. Carlos 👍🏽
Thank for your support and appreciation!
I wish everyone made content as good as this! This is high quality information from an informative, component, and knowledgeable person. Subscribed 💪
Glad you liked it!
Fantastic video, great detail and clear instructions.
Thanks!
Incredible, thanks so much for posting such a comprehensive video with great attention to detail with all components being properly cleaned. I have a problem with intermittent discharge from my air compressor following replacement of the rear air bags. My garage has so far been unable to identify the issue, though you’ve provided a comprehensive explanation of how the system works. I pretty confident now I will able to fix. I need to find some crocodile clips and connect up my 12v battery! Thanks again 👌
Hey, i have same problem, yesterday i changed both bags and still bags deflates, now even faster than before. Did you solve your problem?
Best instructional video on UA-cam....
I changed the silica balls with the blue one last November after replacing the airbags in my X5 F15 to check for humidity/ damage and prevention too! Thank you though for the great job/ explanations.. 👍🏻😊
You may find my X50i F15 Bible helpful then. drive.google.com/drive/folders/1QtPCrd5iGCd0ZYQXCOKws7tmPh1ave-I
This is such a great video. Amazing tutorial! I just bought an E39 wagon and your video is going to help me out so much. Thank you!
❤ thanks for another great vid ! I just diagnosed my F11's compressor. Stuck valve too, I managed to free the piston inside with WD40 and gently tap it with a small hammer. It's working again while I wait for the replacement.
Nice job! Thanks for the feedback !
Videos like yours are the UA-cam gold. Thank you so much! ❤
Glad you like them!
Congratulations, the most professional and comprehensive video on the net!
On my E61 the suspensions remain low, the compressor turned on but they didn't go up.
I disassembled the compressor with all the components, perfect except for the exhaust valve which is always closed, even if it is powered, you can hear the noise as if it clicked.
How is it possible if it's stuck closing, the car shouldn't lift up ?
Very thorough explanation. Many thanks.
Excellent video well explained and slowly taken through all the steps. Spot on 👍
Glad you liked it
I’ve replaced air bag and still have a slow leak, so will now attempt to do this service on the compressor thanks to this brilliant tutorial. Can’t believe I feel ready to try it. Thank you. You are truly amazing
Hi mate, did you fix your problem?
I have same problem, replaced both airbags, applied service for air compressor, replaced both valves from compressor and still i have air leak but i cant find it.
@@Shahinc0Hi, did you find solution? Same problem here
@@vlat18 I don't get how they see folk asking if it got fixed when they're on here but don't answer..🙄
@@Cupat1 yes thats weird
Top work, loved the video and subscribed. So nice to see someone working with a passion and putting the time in to repair properly unlike some which miss all the minor details that finish the job to such a high standard!
Awesome, thank you!
What a superb video. I'm going to use this knowledge to fix my issue which I think is the same, discharge valve jammed open. Stay awesome ❤
Someone's compressor getting a nice treat ,majority garages here in uk won't do that I'm sure ,but well done proper job 👍 👏
Well done training demonstration! Thank you.
This is a great video, thank you for performing it
That’s a great video I have the same issue with My BMW X5 f15 2016
I have the same model, I already changed the bags to Arnot several months ago, now I am getting an error on Chassis issues, did you have success just changing out the silica beads? my local indy shop says its the compressor, figured I would change out the silica beads first before buying a new compressor, did you have success?
@@joeyfountain7322 leave it like that for a couple of days automatically if you don't have a problem with the elevation sensor everything will be fine until that always comes out when you change the air motor it has the compressor if you don't change the sensors and the level of the vehicle so you can program it the bmw
I have a '15 F15 X5 with the same issue. Where can I find the (2) valves (exhaust & distribution) for this pump?
As an owner of the M62tu e38 I like this system better than than the hydraulic EDC/SLS system.
The old system has lines/pipes and gas /fluid accumulators in each rear wheel that used power steering fluid to level the car. BMW still used ride height sensors that are still extremely expensive.
I’d rather this system because it does not require pentosin fluid.
Thanks for the amazing guide! Very easy to understand!
Great video for learning as always, with lots of details, and very satisfying to watch this thing revived. :)
Would love to see more content like this, especially for F10.
Thanks, will do!
Great video. It sounds like spares are available based on your video. My local BMW people say they’re not. Where are you obtaining your spare parts for these compressors? If the valve block is faulty, is that available too?
@@jezbottley7903 All of the spare parts are available on Amazon. The entire assembly is also available as well for about $200US.
Tomorrow I'm doing mine, thanks for the tutorial🙂 top man
Your presentations are awesome.
Glad you think so!
The video of my dreams, I was searching for this knowledge you provided. Thank you so much! You gave me hope, as my air springs are bad and I was hurt that maybe it's the air compressor. Now I feel strong, as a lion. You made my day thank you again. Blessings!🙏🏾
I totally pick you were putting down in this video keep it up bro
Thank for such a wonderful demonstration. Perfect video....well explained. You good
You are welcome!
Thanks for the Great Video !
Very informative, and gave me confidence to sort my pump out, I replaced the single solenoid air valve (air dump I believe?) on mine, they are only £21 on Amazon UK.
So far, it seems to have worked, I have new airbags to go on should I need to, but hopefully this is the “Fix” 😊
absolutely great job of diagnosis you just saved me a lot of work and my friend who owns the 740 a butt load of money thank you
Brilliant video very informative thanks
Glad you enjoyed it
There are well made videos and outstanding videos out there. This one is an outstanding one. Not a single detail is missing. Congrats Ovidiu! (now the sad part, gotta do that.. 😅)
Wow, thank you!
Great Video !!! 😊
I just need one clarification; how were you able to repair the “Stuck Open” Discharge Valve… OR did you have to replace it with a new one ? If you had to replace it with a new one, what is the Brand and Part Number for this new replacement Discharge Valve ? Thank You ! 🙏
GREAT VIDEO for an F11 owner , Thank yuo so much 👍👍👍👍👍👍😀😀
Glad you liked it!
Can always rely on this channel for a good fix 10/10!!!
Nice presentation! Thanks!
Great video,full of concise infomation on all the functionality of parts,how to test fault find and repair.
Very impressive thanks your time making this.
Thanks for the great video! I have an X5 2017 40E, every few days my rear suspensions sink (after driving car parked) when it happens the suspensions go down in a few minutes! When I turn on the car it immediately goes up and stays that way for a few days (I drive the car these days)!
You are the best!!This video is number 1👏👏
Nice Video, very good explainations ! Many Thanks !
thanks so much for posting
Very good work everytime, thanks for sharing.
Thank you! Cheers!
Good video, great job you are doing man, as always! very interesting.
Nice video! There is some additional hardware on BMWs with 4 air struts, but if you understand this concept, for sure you will be able to figure out the other one. Actually if you want to take it one step further, you can install blue silica gel rather than the OEM moisture granules.
Hello, you are right, here I'm talking about the most common system "rear air suspension ". I personally don't advice to use blue or any other type of silica gel, becouse silica gel absorb the humidity and keep it, to release the humidity silica gel need to be heated, instead the original dehumidifier pellets will release the humidity to a flux of drayer air , if the blue or any other color of silica gel was good for this purpose believe me the manufacturer will use that becouse is more cheaper than the one in use 😀
@@MOvidiu Hehe it is going to be really cool if that was the case :D But as we can see from your video and from my experience, they don't dry by themselves so good :D Most of the F15 X5s have this issue with moisturized granules after around 5 years of use. I have installed on several cars silica gels without any issues even after few years of use. Lets keep it real, you probably know that not every time car manufactures are using the best quality stuff in everything. Ofc not talking only about BMWs.
@@crank3646
What's the size of silica gels must be used for BMW X5 F15?
Very nice instructions! Thank you!
very illustrative and useful
Excellent video, so interesting and clearly explained , thank you. Is there any servicing or preventative maintenance that needs to be done to keep it working happily ?. Thanks again.
Finally a video that goes through all the steps. Ty! Do you have the part number for the valve you changed?
Where can I buy discharge valve
Hi 😀
Thank you so much for a really helpful video.
You are very good at giving an easily understandable and detailed explanation of how the system works and where the possible errors may be. Really appreciated.
my compressor has just broken down and I need a new discharge valve, would you be so kind to share a link to I can buy one?🙏🙏
thanks in advance
hi greaat video on bmw air suspension have same unit in video would you know were get side bracket to support unit only have base plate .
Hello! , I think you need to find a used one and from that you can take the bracket!
Super tare, imi place cum curati absolut tot. Awsome job!💪😎
You great Ovidiu, thank you.
Always welcome
Great video! Thanks so much!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Fantastic video, man. Thanks a lot!
Super video je ne suis pas du milieu et moi même limite j ai voulu démonter mon compresseur et la réparer j ai jamais vue une vidéo aussi détaillée encore bravo à vous 👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you so much for this video. I just fixed my F11. The purge valve was stuck open but I managed to free it. I'll order a new valve but I'm back on the road and now I understand the system!
How did you manage to free it?
This was really useful thank you
I started saying aiyer after this video 😅 awesome video !!
Fantastisc movie, thank you very much!
Interesting and educational video, just a question, where did you buy the solenoid valve?
This is an EXCELLENT guide. Thank you!
I have just discovered it after stripping my compressor down and rebuilding it.
When it’s all back together and the car is back down on the ground, it only sends to the left side, not the right side. Do you think this is the solenoid valves? Thank you very much!
I have the exact same issue. First i thought it was the airbags themselves but sometimes they stay up for days so can't be that. Now the right side (blue airline) just refuses to pump any air despite the compressor being OK. I'm lost to be honest now.
@@PiFe00 I think it is something to do with the internal solenoid valves,
I ended up replacing the whole compressor unit as it was just easier and cheaper to do so.
Just make sure that you’ve definitely got the right version for your car!
Great video thanks for that ❤
This is BY FAR the best and most comprehensive video on UA-cam about these pumps. Thank you so much do you have a PayPal or contact so I can buy you a beer. 🍺 this type of in depth knowledge is rare. I had only two questions. 1. Where did you get the new discharge valve from? Does bmw sell individual parts of the system? and 2. What type of grease are you using on the position. I’m assuming some sort of lithium grease.
Hello, sometimes you can find the valve on eBay, BMW does not sell separate parts for this pump ! The grease that I'm using is Molykote EM-60L. ( is in description)
@@MOvidiuha I really should have read the description.. it was all in there. 😅 but great info. Thanks again. I’ll keep my eye out for an occupancy sensor mat replacement for X5. I used to have a 2002 bmw 540i-6 that it failed on. I just bought a 2006 X5 for my son and sure enough it’s bad too. These BMW’s, when they are good they are amazing. But always needing something. I was hoping bmw got that figured out in the 5 years between the two cars but guess not. But then again gives me an excuse to watch UA-cam videos and play in the garage.
What is positive and negative in discharge valve? Thanks for your aid
Brown wire is negative !
Great video and great explanation of how it works,but what would the fault be if my compressor dont come on at all and blows the fuse instantly, i have changed the relay and still the same. Thanks
Another video said that would be a bad compressor.
@robin8559 That's what I did in the end: I changed the air compressor and havnt had any problems since 👍
Great video thanks for the info had strip my x6 one down a few months ago done the same as u an work fine after
Nice !
Hi dude, what an excellent video & extremely informative. I wish i had found this a few years ago.
I noticed that you had replaced a few of the “o” rings & seals, where did you get then from ?
Thanks.
Excellent tutorial, thanks! Do someone know what chemicals these desiccant balls are contained? I know that many color changer desiccants contained cancer dangerous chemicals. If you do this job a lot, that would be good to know
Great video thank you
Very similar to VW touareg and Q7 pump i think it’s the same supplier. Good video my friend and happy new year 🎊
Yes, they are made by WABACO ! Happy new year to you too ! ☺
Awesome video!
Thanks!
Perfect manual - Thank You a lot:)
Life saver!
thanks you
excellent my air suspension E39 touring 1999 sorted no valves blocked or rusted but compressor wet through and big spring really rusted so dried all media cleaned up all parts and air is pumping out now so thanks mind you it has lasted 25 years
Great topics thanks for your hard work
Glad you like them!
Yes...You did an excellent job.
Thank you! Cheers!
Ovidiu, congrats for all your activity! One short question - if the compresor only inflates the bags, but does not deflate them (using Ista procedure), which might be the problem? Bad valve block? Electrically, all looks fine, cable looks good, no corosion. I did a full check on the system, replaced the discharge valve, dried the silica, etc, treated all rubber seals.
Great video. I'm just curious. My compressor is working but the left rear want fill up with air. The right rear is fine and will rise and deflate properly but the left rear want rise. I have replaced the leveling sensor but it still want rise or fill up with air. What could be the issue?
The issue is you! you have in this video everything explained very clearly! you have the necessary information to be able to understand how the system is working and how to diagnose it! now one can know what is wrong widow a proper diagnose ! and when I say diagnose I don't mean to rear error codes!
When installed, are the leveling sensor arm suppose to be even with the sensor itself as you illustrated?
When install the level sensors you need to instal them as they need to be installed! there is no other way! they have specific notches and brackets!
M. Ovidiu, where can I source a new solonoid air release valve for a 2013 bmw X5 air compressor? Great video, by the way, really learned a lot from you. Thanks.
Thanks for this awsome video, I just have one question can just one side be clogged? like it pumps air to the air suspension but doesnt discharge completely on the right side? or is it sensor issue?
Thanks for the video, by the way what is the part number for the solenoid valve?
Hello! it is on the part itself ! the big problem is that is hard to fine!
If you can please, what kind of grease/lubricant did you use on the cylinder bore? 17:59
…
Your video was extremely helpful got an old E53 Wabco compressor going again.
Thank You.
Read the description! You don't know how much you lose when you don't read the description ! 😀
@@MOvidiu 🤦♂. The answer was right in front of me the whole time. Thank You!
Does the 2001 e39 wagon have the separate relief valve? Part? Or is it all one part? solenoid valve block?
Hello! On e39, the release valve is on the compressor dryer, similar to the one in the video !
Great video thank you. Did you have to plug the car back in to a computer when you fitted it back on the car?
Is there any video on How to remove and putting it back to the car ? Am thinking the air tubes 3 of them How to remove and putting it back. Thank you.
thanks for this very usefull info! What's your thoughts on this: At the moment, it seems my compressor failt on me on holliday, 1400km's from home. It sinks on both sides in 20minutes drive, but keeps on his feet all during the night. Shortcutting the relay starts the pump, but no air comes in. If the car stay's up all throught the night the springs should be ok. So, as a quick fix getting me home, could i disconnect the solenoids, so that air stays in the springs? Thanks for your thoughts!
Great video! Why are the air bags failing so frequently? Any recommendations on best brand of bags to use as replacements?
Hello, they are failing because of material fatigue, and you can't do anything about it, I mean you could try and drive the car only on good roads 😀.
I recommend OEM parts.
Hi there, first of all very good and learning vídeo! I just want to make you a question just to be sure, my F11 is good but sometimes only the right side drops.. and it’s not a air bag leak because the car sometimes stays 1 week up without using it but sometimes i go for a lil ride or even when i’m driving and the right side of the car drops… it is the right valve that stays open??
More certainly the air bag is leaking! but you need to diagnose it! asking here won't help !
@@MOvidiu yes i will do a check up, someone told me if it lastres several days with out losing a inch of height it means it’s not leaking, but i will check thanks
Great video, thank you, is it easy to get the motor off the vehicle?
Yes, it's under your spare tyre.
Great job what's your major?
Well done