4V14A9
4V14B9
4V14B9
4V14B9
4V14B9
4V14C9
4V14C9
4V14C9
4V14D9

MY
2018
2018
2018
2018
2018
2018
2018
2018
2018
2018
2018

Documents
Document name
master.xml

Engine code Gearbox code
DDBB
RGQ
DDBB
QTZ
DDBB
SHT
CZAA
SKQ
CZAA
RWF
CZAA
SWY
DCDB
RWF
SUV Diesel BY636 320/V8 8AG CZAC
RWF
SUV Diesel BY636 320/V8 8AG CZAC
SKQ
SUV Diesel BY636 320/V8 8AG CZAC
SWY
SUV KoVOMo BY636 404/V8 8AG DCUA
RWH

Final drive code
QUS
QUS
QUS
QUS
QUS
QUS
QUS
QUS
QUS
QUS
QUT

Technical Service Bulletin
Air Spring Fault Finding

Transaction No.: 2030217/6
Release date: Jan 18, 2019

Condition
The front and/or rear suspension appears to have dropped

Technical Background
The Bentley vehicles listed below are fitted with air springs as part of the suspension system. Should air leak from the air springs this will cause the
suspension to drop. However, the dropping of the suspension does not necessarily mean that the air spring is faulty.
The Measure section of this TPI describes how and where to check for air leaks on the front and rear air springs, the air pump compressor, pipes,
valve unit and air reservoir. This includes potential air leak points on the air spring and also the locations of an air leak that can be repaired without the
need to replace an air spring.
Please follow and complete the check list within the Measure section of this TPI to help in diagnosing the issue (the check list does not need to be sent
as an attachment should a DISS technical query be raised).
Should a leak be found from an air spring please raise a DISS technical query and include as much information as possible including photograph/s of
the leak/s location. Once the DISS ticket has been submitted please await clarification from your TSC before commencing with replacing any of the
suspected faulty air springs.
Mandatory reporting is applicable for all air spring related issues.

Production Solution
Not applicable

Service
Position the vehicle on a flat and level surface and allow it to cool down.
•

Important: Set the vehicle suspension into “Jack” mode.

Adhere strips of masking tape (1) from the centre of each wheel to the highest part of the wheel arch as shown, making sure they are applied taut.
Using a tape measure (2), also measure and take note of the ride heights (A-A) at all four corners of the vehicle. See Figure 1.

Figure 1
Leave the vehicle overnight and again measure the ride heights (A-A) at all four corners of the vehicle. Compare these values with those taken
previously.
If there is NO difference in ride heights, and the strips of masking tape are still ‘taut’ then no air leak is present. Please explain to the customer the
long term storage or changing climate conditions would cause a drop in ride height which is normal. As soon as the vehicle is started, the compressor
will level the vehicle automatically. No further action is required.
If there IS a difference in ride heights, and the strips of masking tape (1) have ‘sagged’ (shown in Figure 2), then refer to the following leak finding
procedures below.

Figure 2
It should be noted that if these checks involve a claim through warranty then photographic evidence of the vehicle sagging and air
leak should be included.
Always select “Jack mode” before raising the vehicle and exhausting the air from the suspension system. Refer to Elsapro. Repair
Group 43.
Section 1 - Front suspension air spring fault finding
Before any other checks are made to the front air springs check to confirm the pipes are fully inserted and firmly connected within
the brass fitting.
Air leakage may not be audible. A possible symptom of air leakage is excessive operation of the air pump located above the rear
diffuser. If no air leakage is apparent at the pipe unions and there is excessive operation of the air pump compressor, there may be a
damaged air supply pipe to an air spring.
With the air suspension fully charged, use leak detector spray or a mild soap solution to check the connections for leaks as shown in the
accompanying table.
Place an X in the appropriate column next to each check.
Front air spring check points - Continental series (pre 2018) and Flying Spur
Check
Brass fitting to air spring (1)
Brass intermediate connection (2)
Air feed pipe connection (3)
Top of air spring (4)
Air spring gaiter condition (5)
Air canister and canister to air spring (6 & 7)
Bottom of the air spring (8)
Top of the air spring (9). Within engine
compartment, pull dust seal back to inspect!

Yes No Comments

If this air supply pipe is leaking, refer to the Elsapro, “Air Supply Pipe - To Repair” - Repair Group 43.
Front air spring check points – Mulsanne
Check

Yes No Comments

Air connection to air spring (1)
Upper air spring (2)
Top of air spring (3)
Air spring gaiter condition (4)
Bottom of the air spring (5)

Front air spring check points – Bentayga
Check

Yes No Comments

Air connection to air spring (1)
Top of air spring (2 & 3)
Upper areas of air spring gaiter (4 & 6)
Air spring upper gaiter condition (5)
Lower areas of air spring gaiter (7 & 9)
Air spring upper gaiter condition (8)

Front air spring check points – New Continental GT
Check
Air connection to air spring (1)
Sealing area of top nut (2)
Top crimp area (3)
Top of air spring (4)
Air spring gaiter condition (5)
Lower areas of air spring gaiter (6)
Switching valves, solenoids and welds (7&8)

Yes No Comments

Section 2 - Rear suspension air spring fault finding
Before any other checks are made to the rear air springs check to confirm the pipes are fully inserted and firmly connected within the
brass fitting.
Air leakage may not be audible. A possible symptom of air leakage is excessive operation of the air pump located above the rear
diffuser. If no air leakage is apparent at the pipe unions and there is excessive operation of the air pump compressor, there may be a
damaged air supply pipe to an air spring.
With the air suspension fully charged, use leak detector spray or a mild soap solution to check the connections for leaks as shown in the
accompanying table.
Place an X in the appropriate column next to each check.
Rear air spring check points - Continental series (pre 2018) and Flying Spur
Check
Brass fitting to air spring (1)
Top of air spring (2 & 3)
Air spring bellows (4)
Air feed pipe connection (5)
Air spring gaiter condition (6)
Air canister and canister to air spring (7, 8 & 9)
Electrical cable route for air escaping (10)

Yes No Comments

Rear air spring check points - Mulsanne
Check

Yes No Comments

Air feed pipe connection (1)
Top of air spring (2 & 3)
Upper air spring bellows (4 & 5)
Lower air spring bellows (6 & 7)
Air spring gaiter condition (8 & 9)

Rear air spring check points - Bentayga
Check
Air feed pipe connection (1)
Top of air spring (2)
Air spring gaiter condition (3 & 4)
Lower areas of air spring (5 & 6)

Yes No Comments

Rear air spring check points – New Continental GT
Check

Yes No Comments

Air feed pipe connection (1)
Top of air spring (2)
Air spring gaiter condition (3 & 4)
Lower area of air spring (5)

Section 3 - Air supply unit check points
Check for any air leaks on or around the air supply (compressor) unit.
Place an X in the appropriate column next to each check.
Air supply check points - Continental series (pre 2018) and Flying Spur
Check
Air pipe connections (1 to 6)

Yes No Comments

Air supply check points – Mulsanne
Check

Yes No Comments

Air pipe connections (1 to 6)

Air supply check points – Bentayga
Check

Yes No Comments

Air pipe connections (arrows)

Air supply check points – New Continental GT
Check
Air pipe connections (2 & 3)

Yes No Comments

Section 4 - Air reservoir unit check points
Check for any air leaks on or around the air reservoir.
Place an X in the appropriate column next to each check.
Air supply check points - Continental series (pre 2018) and Flying Spur
Check

Yes No Comments

Air pipe connections (arrow)
Location - GT & Flying Spur: LH rear wheelarch
Location – GTC: Behind backboard trim panel

Air supply check points – Mulsanne
Check
Air pipe connections (arrow)
Location: Boot floor

Yes No Comments

Air supply check points – Bentayga
Check

Yes No Comments

Air pipe connections on the twin tanks (arrows).
Location: Rear footwells

Air supply check points – New Continental GT
Check
Air pipe connection (2)
Location: Underside of boot floor

Yes No Comments

Section 5 - Air pipe repairs
In the event of an air leak from the air pipe/brass fittings on the supply unit the brass fittings and internal olive can be replaced
individually.
To repair an air pipe, refer to Elsapro, “Air Supply Pipe - To Repair” - Repair Group 43.
Using a “Vehicle Tester”, recharge the air system. Refer to Elsapro, “To discharge and charge” - Repair Groups 40 and 42.

Warranty
It should be noted that if checks involve a claim through warranty then photographic evidence of the vehicle sagging and air leak should be included
with the DISS technical query where possible.
Pictures should include the following:
•

Tape (1) applied before and after, showing the tape sagging. See Figure 4.

•

All ride height measurements (A-A) before and after. See Figure 4.

•

Soap solution bubbling at the point of air leak (where possible).

Figure 4