Hello all,

I have noticed the front end of the RR is 'kneeling' somewhat over the last ~4 days. It has coincided with very cold overnight temps here. Between -1 and -5 for a good week or so.

The GAP tool indicates no suspension faults.

It's not normal for us to have such low temps and it's been the coldest weather I've had during the time I've owned the car which is 4 years.

So I just wondered, has anyone else experienced this? 2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster - Baltic Blue, Jet interior
1997 P38 2.5 DSE auto & 1998 P38 2.5 DT Manual
1988 Vogue 3.5 EFI - Manual, gone.
2004 Volvo C70 2.0T convertible, had since new.
2007 Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport Roadster/Coupé, had since new.
2024 Mini Cooper S cabrio, JCW kit, 2.0, DCT auto

Boyles law says the volume of gas is related to temperature but the system will adjust as any change in height will be registered and adjusted for. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

I've had similar weird goings on with my front suspension airbags over the last few months. Some days, when it's been very cold overnight, i.e. -1 and below, the front end has dropped very low but not quite to the bump stops. As soon as I start the FF the front end rises to normal height and the air compressor kicks in. Driving seems to be fine and no faults, etc., show up either on the dash or GAP IID Tool. Other days the front end will only have dropped a tiny bit, normally when the temp is above 0 degrees. I can leave the FF for a few days and the drop won't increase at all, then start up the FF and she will 'self-level' and all's fine.
At first I thought I had a slow leak on one of the front air bags, but can't find anything to prove this. Was going to get two new front air springs and get them replaced, but now waiting to see what is the exact prolem as don't want to fork out up to £300.00 for new bags and find it's something else. Definitely not the air tank or lines, as when I start up the car the front end raises straight away, before the compressor kicks in to regas the air tank.

Very strange, as does seem to be connected to outside temps somehow.

Thanks, @Discotigger

I was thinking of your previous post as I was writing mine. Westie is sitting normally now because I popped out earlier but surely a leak would present itself after ~7 hrs...?

As the temps warm up over the coming days I will keep an eye on her and report back. 2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster - Baltic Blue, Jet interior
1997 P38 2.5 DSE auto & 1998 P38 2.5 DT Manual
1988 Vogue 3.5 EFI - Manual, gone.
2004 Volvo C70 2.0T convertible, had since new.
2007 Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport Roadster/Coupé, had since new.
2024 Mini Cooper S cabrio, JCW kit, 2.0, DCT auto

@ TDV8_Tommy,
Yes it's definitely a strange one, as I would have expected an air bag leak to be constant despite the temperatures. Only thing I have thought that could be causing the differences in height drops at different temperatures might be down to the actual rubber on the bags. It may be getting a bit stiffer at lower temps, so if the leak is on or around the fold in the air bag, the stiffer rubber may allow a bit more air to escape if there's just a pinhole leak. At higher temps, i.e. above 0 Degrees, the rubber may be supple enough to help plug the pinhole leak to a certain degree and prevent the air from escaping as much.
Does seem to be a long shot though. I'm just holding off at the moment to see if the problem gets worse, or disappears ( , would be surprised if it goes away!).

The air suspension will only adjust downwards whilst the vehicle is not running. It's not uncommon to see the suspension at some intermediate height after a cold night, windchill will make it worse than just a low ambient. Boyles law is the correct explanation. I was in the French alps a few years ago with quite a few L322, L319 & 320's. Daytime was -4 to -10 Deg. C. but overnight it dropped to ~-30deg. C., lower with windchill. All the vehicles had levelled down, the ones side-on to the prevailing wind had lowered more, but all were down to some extent.

In the picture, you can see the gap above the front wheel is significantly less than the one at the rear.

Temps were 0 overnight, no wind and now 15.

So, not sure. I'll continue to monitor.

 2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster - Baltic Blue, Jet interior
1997 P38 2.5 DSE auto & 1998 P38 2.5 DT Manual
1988 Vogue 3.5 EFI - Manual, gone.
2004 Volvo C70 2.0T convertible, had since new.
2007 Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport Roadster/Coupé, had since new.
2024 Mini Cooper S cabrio, JCW kit, 2.0, DCT auto

mine does this and has done since i got it 2 years ago!! some days worse than other and normally when temps drop. fire the car up levels it self out and the pump goes off after a min or so.
i have gone round with fairy liquid and cannot see anything suggesting a leak.
had 2 rear shocks last year, so rear air bags this year and i am considering the fronts as well as car has 130k and they are original i think the front shocks will be quite tired and i think they do crash sometimes!!

changing the rear shocks made a big difference!! however fronts are bloody expensive!!  2012 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - Current
2014 Navara V6 - Gone
2004 Vogue TD6 - Gone
Grand Cherokee - Gone
Discovery V8 (LPG) - Gone
Discovery TD5 - Gone

TDV8_Tommy wrote:

Hello all,

I have noticed the front end of the RR is 'kneeling' somewhat over the last ~4 days. It has coincided with very cold overnight temps here. Between -1 and -5 for a good week or so.

The GAP tool indicates no suspension faults.

It's not normal for us to have such low temps and it's been the coldest weather I've had during the time I've owned the car which is 4 years.

So I just wondered, has anyone else experienced this?

BTW, you can pull up live values from the suspension with the GAPtool, might give you an idea where the pressure goes?I'm starting to suspect faulty valves, including the exhaust valve.

TDV8_Tommy wrote:

Hello all,

I have noticed the front end of the RR is 'kneeling' somewhat over the last ~4 days. It has coincided with very cold overnight temps here. Between -1 and -5 for a good week or so.

The GAP tool indicates no suspension faults.

It's not normal for us to have such low temps and it's been the coldest weather I've had during the time I've owned the car which is 4 years.

So I just wondered, has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks, @Faukstad

Good shout, I’ll do that shortly on the GAP. This morning she’s dropped again but more to the passenger side, which may help pin point the issue. 2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster - Baltic Blue, Jet interior
1997 P38 2.5 DSE auto & 1998 P38 2.5 DT Manual
1988 Vogue 3.5 EFI - Manual, gone.
2004 Volvo C70 2.0T convertible, had since new.
2007 Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport Roadster/Coupé, had since new.
2024 Mini Cooper S cabrio, JCW kit, 2.0, DCT auto

Here in Norway the car is exposed to very cold temps (-10 to -20) many times over the winter, and only once had problems with the air suspension 2-3 years back. It was totally deflated, but that quickly corrected itself when I started the engine. Probably one valve got stuck/frozen and let the air out over a few days. Other than that I've never had any issues.

L322 2012 Westminster ----------------
2012 - L322 Westminster
QRV @ LA2VSA / DA1AA

Took some live readings and although I am absolutely no expert, it seems to me that there is an issue with the front left corner?

This is my first time doing live readings, what do others think of the data?