OK, so i'm six months into ownership of a 2007 4.2 SC and I've got my first major headache.
'Suspension Fault' has started to appear on the display with associated compressor shut down and the light on the ride height indicator extinguishes. It will reset overnight, and not always occur at all on the next few journeys. It can occur at seemingly random times and I have not established a pattern yet. Today, after parking up for half an hour, the car had set itself in 'extended mode' I think it's called, and I was advised to lower the vehicle after clearing the obstacle.

I know from browsing the forum this is a common enough problem and there is a wealth of information - I am trying to decide on the least expensive diagnosis and fix. From my research it could be;

A worn compressor - simplest fix/DIY repair? a few pounds.
A leak in the system requiring garage time - many pounds
Large scale replacement of parts whilst a specialist finds the problem - bank loan

I don't have a diagnosis tool to get the codes to give a fuller picture. Has the forum any advice on the best path to take?
Is the recommending of trustworthy independents allowed? I am in the South Manchester area. Current: 2007 RR 4.2 SC, now deceased, written off by an X5
Past: 1968 LR 2.25 (petrol) Series IIa

drill a hole in the compressor filter, that might help.. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

Ah Pal.... I feel for you

I had the same thing happen to me earlier this week and a very inconvenient time:

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic46406.html

Read the above and you'll see how ridiculously simple my fault was to fix.

I remember walking up to the car that morning and wondering why the rear wheels looked like they had vanished right up inside the arch.

I feel better now, albeit I missed out on the sale that had already been agreed!!!

stan wrote:

drill a hole in the compressor filter, that might help..

The filter silica dries the air on the way in and the expelled warm dry air dries the silica on the way out so that is what it is there for

Thanks, Gents. This was helpful, and will give me a focus for some investigation tomorrow. Current: 2007 RR 4.2 SC, now deceased, written off by an X5
Past: 1968 LR 2.25 (petrol) Series IIa

To avoid confusion:

stan is referring to the filter on the exhaust vent on the outside of the compressor

sandyt is referring to the air drier full of silica on the inside of the compressor

Do not drill a hole in the latter! - the silica can be dried once the compressor has been dismantled to access the drier. .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Thanks Joe exactly so my fault

So don't just drill everywhere!
I think I'll spend an evening watching dreadful YouTube 'instructional' videos.
My Saturday night >>> Your Saturday night?  Current: 2007 RR 4.2 SC, now deceased, written off by an X5
Past: 1968 LR 2.25 (petrol) Series IIa

this is what i was referring to,

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic23038....or+exhaust ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

That's even more information in that thread, Stan. Off the top of your head, is this a simple job (drilling the filter nut) that does not require the battery to be disconnected? Current: 2007 RR 4.2 SC, now deceased, written off by an X5
Past: 1968 LR 2.25 (petrol) Series IIa

To save you dismantle the silica filter once you have the brass silencer off cycle the suspension a couple of times and a heap of white dust will come out it is this that blocks the silencer and drilling stops the build up in the future

Update:

Drilling the silencer/filter has done the trick! This took a couple of attempts but I have now done it, and it seems to be fine.

Thanks to all who contributed - who on earth would think such a simple fix would cure such an annoying fault.

On a separate point, I have now learned quite how heavy the wheels are. 20' alloys with GGATs and I could barely lift the spare out of the well. I wondered if owners generally get help (AA etc) with flats because this car is such heavy engineering? Current: 2007 RR 4.2 SC, now deceased, written off by an X5
Past: 1968 LR 2.25 (petrol) Series IIa

Aah... you don't have the easy lifting straps fitted

Pleased to hear you sorted the AIR SUSP though  .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

,

Did mine as a preventive measure the other day.