Well been just a few weeks since I got 322 and its been slow to rise since I got it, and sometimes even failing to reach full height, and generally sitting a bit low even on standard height. All fingers pointed to a worn out piston ring, I know bagpipingandy sells a kit, but it's pretty pricey when you add shipping all the way out here and convert it to local smackeroos and worst part it the hopelessly long waiting period for anything to arrive.

So I went ahead and took out the comp, and messing around a bit a thought came to mind. The seal is some kind of Teflon PTFE, and it wears down thus not "sealing" and seeing its pretty flexible and not a precision fit with tight tolerances. So if I was somehow able to expand or increase its inner diameter it should create a better seal.

So after thinking about it a while, I decided to go with cheap ol Teflon tape. I just wrapped the piston channel where the ring sits, put back the ring, closed up the comp, plonked it back in and gave it a whirl. And now car goes to full height in around ten seconds, made it go up and down a few times and working fine. Although the compressor is bit noisy now, I think that's mostly due to me not putting it back right, or maybe the expanded seal settling in as in wearing away to its new shape.

I initially thought about a few other things like O rings, even rubber bands, but I know it gets pretty hot in there and Teflon tape quite some temperature, having used it before in oil pan bolts ans what not.

I've also sourced a much cheaper source of these seals, like $3 a peice, so until that arrives let's see how long this bodge works. Maybe if someone is in a fix and needs the comp running again just to bring up the car, this temp repair could cone handy.

Oh and the RR is sitting like its supposed to now on standard height, before it was halfway between access and standard.

Cheers

You taped up the piston itself, where the teflon ring sits, in order to prevent air passing through that gap, and not the piston bore? .
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

I taped up the piston channel in between which the original seal sits, and then put back the worn out seal back on. So now its probably a little more flush with the bore.

The tape is between the piston head and the seal, maybe this pic will help.

http://bagpipingandy.com/img/install.jpg

Edd China is an Oaf, he threw away a perfectly good steering box and replaces it with an expensive replacement on the Disco 1 episode because of some play, when there is a nut given on the top of the box to tighten in tiny increments to get rid of play as the worm gear wears away over the years.