awdinut

does the air pump ever fail for reasons other than a leak ? And when I say fail I mean that the pump will still run but wont keep the car at height and yellow light comes on. And the year in question is an 06 with sport suspension.

03_AR_CO

If the pump is running and cannot keep the car height consistent, there is a leak somewhere in the system and eventually the pump will fail all together from over working it.

mishar

System pressure is ~16 bar. If pump can't deliver that pressure it will run until it overheats.

awdinut

but I want to know if there are ever just pumps that fail with out a leak as the cause.

03_AR_CO

Sure they can wear out, if you are driving an '04 the pump is 10 years old and should be expected to become weak and wear out over time, and as you suggest no other suspension leaks needed for it to become worn.

aTOMic

The piston ring can (does) wear out, then the pump overheats from running constantly. Also there's a reed valve that could fail.

aTOMic

You can get a kit from a guy in the UK named "BagpipingAndy" he's on a8parts.com. Last I checked it was about $40 shipped, I understand it takes a week or so to the US.

tjf

Mine failed a year ago. I replaced it with a $500 one from Germany (e-bay). I have never found a leak. Car never sags, even if sitting for 2 weeks. No leaks from valve block either.

Mister Bally

#1 failure of the WABCO ECAS pump is one of the magnets breaks free from the motor housing causin slow motof speed and drag. Overheat condition soon follows. You can disassemble and reglue (use JB Weld) the magnet and then add glue to the magnet that is still in place.
2nd common failure mode is a worn puston ring as this is an oil free compressor.

James Rothwell

I didn't realise it was that much. You'd think if you had a leak if you parked somewhere without much background noise you'd hear it hissing out.