dampers, 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 supply unit, pipes,
valve unit and air reservoirs. This includes potential air leak points on the air spring dampers and also the locations of an air leak that can be
repaired without the need to replace an air spring damper.
These checks should be carried out in conjunction with the Elsapro procedure “Air suspension – To check” with the use of
the special tool “Air suspension leak tester VAS 751 001” shown in Figure 1 as item (1). Refer to Elsapro, Repair Group 43,
“Air suspension – To check”.

Figure 1
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 damper, compressor, valve unit or reservoir, 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 before
commencing with replacing any of the suspected faulty air spring dampers.
Mandatory reporting is applicable for all air spring related issues.

VERY IMPORTANT:
The examples shown below are taken from a Bentayga front air spring damper and are shown for photographic purposes only
NOTE: The operative MUST always refer to the applicable Rep.Gr within the repair manual as the procedures differ

INTERNAL

depending on the vehicle model type
The operative MUST be aware that when disconnecting the air supply line from the air spring damper ONLY the brass nut
connector (Figure 2 - Point A) should be used for disconnection/installation

Figure 2
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ATTEMPT TO DISCONNECT THE AIR SPRING DAMPER AIR SUPPLY LINE FROM
ANY OTHER CONNECTION OTHER THAN AS SHOWN IN FIGURE 2 - Point A
Referring to Figure 2 - Points B and C the operative MUST be aware of the following:
•

The operative MUST ensure the grip ring (B) is correctly installed and not damaged

•

The operative MUST also ensure the O-ring (C) is correctly installed and not damaged

Figure 3 - Shows an example of a Bentayga front air spring damper minimum pressure valve, the valve was damaged during disconnection of the
air supply line from the front air spring damper
Please note: In this scenario the front air spring was replaced, as damage was caused to the minimum pressure valve during the disconnection of
the air supply line, please be aware that warranty payments will be cancelled should any damage be caused to the air spring assemblies due to
the applicable procedures within the applicable Rep.Gr not being followed

Figure 3
VERY IMPORTANT: When the air supply lines are disconnected the operative should ensure the pipes and connections are
fitted with plastic caps/bungs to eliminate the risk of contamination within the air suspension system

Revision history
TPI 2053492/8
•

Technical background section now amended to include care points relating to the disconnection of the air spring damper supply line

INTERNAL

•

Warranty accounting instructions amended

TPI 2053492/9
Section 3 within the Measure section (Air supply unit check points) has been updated requesting further checks/ and feedback in the event a
leak or an issue is found on the air supply unit
TPI 205342/10
Section 3 within the Measure section (Air supply unit check points) has been updated requesting further checks/ and feedback regarding the
correct fitment of the air pipes
CAUTION
The operative should be aware that all instructions regarding attaching photographs and videos to DISS queries is followed as advised within
Section 3

Production change
Not applicable

Measure
Reference chart
Please use this generic “Reference Chart” (Figure 4) in conjunction with the customer description of the fault and the “Standard Ambient
Conditions” of the DTC's if present, to focus on the relevant area (ie: if a DTC is pointing out to the accumulator and the event data from the DTC
and the customer description explains that the issue appear while the vehicle was driving, then the potential source of the leak well might be in
between reservoir, valve unit or compressor as these three components are active in these particular conditions).

Figure 4
Component

Description

1-5

Solenoid valves

6&7

Front axle suspension struts

8&9

Rear axle suspension units

10

Pressure accumulator

11

Pressure sensor

12

Pressure reading

13

Electrical activation of solenoid valves

14

Compressor connection

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

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

Apply strips of masking tape (1) from the centre of each wheel to the highest part of the wheel arch as shown, making sure the masking tape is
applied ‘taut’
Using a tape measure (2), measure and take note of the ride heights (A-A) at all four corners of the vehicle. See Figure 5.

INTERNAL

Figure 5
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 6), then refer to the following leak
finding procedures below.

Figure 6
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 supply unit. 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.

INTERNAL

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!

INTERNAL

Yes

No

Comments

Front air spring check points – Mulsanne
Check
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)

INTERNAL

Yes

No Comments

Front air spring check points – Bentayga
Check
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)

INTERNAL

Yes

No Comments

Front air spring check points – New Continental GT/C and New Flying Spur
Check
Air connection to air spring (1)
Sealing area of top nut (2)
Top crimp area (3)

INTERNAL

Yes No Comments

Top of air spring (4)
Air spring gaiter condition (5)
Lower areas of air spring gaiter (6)
Switching valves, solenoids and welds (7&8)

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.

INTERNAL

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)

INTERNAL

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)

INTERNAL

Yes No Comments

Rear air spring check points – New Continental GT/C and New Flying Spur
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)

INTERNAL

Yes No Comments

INTERNAL

Air supply check points - Mulsanne
Check

Yes No Comments

Air pipe connections (1 to 6)

Air supply check points – Bentayga
Check
Air pipe connections (arrows)

INTERNAL

Yes No Comments

Air supply check points – New Continental GT/C and New Flying Spur
Check

Yes No Comments

Air pipe connections (2 & 3)

NOTICE
In the event an air leak is evident at the air supply unit, the operative must conduct all remaining checks within this TPI, once complete the
operative should provide all additional findings via a new or existing DISS query as per the examples below:
NOTE: The photos below are shown as examples and do not refer to a particular vehicle type
•

Check if there any kinked, split or damaged air pipes HINT: The operative should also check to confirm that the heatshield is not contacting
the air pipes as shown below

CAUTION
IMPORTANT REQUEST FOR NEW GT/C AND NEW FLYING SPUR VEHICLES: Before any of the air supply unit air lines are disconnected
Photographic evidence showing all air lines fitted is required as shown below
HINT: The air lines must be connected with only one single ‘paint marking’ visible (Figure 7)

Figure 7
•

Referring to Figure 8 - To assist in finding the leak, the operative must apply soapy water to the air supply unit in the area shown below,
this is required to establish the source of the leak (air supply unit or air pipe connections)

INTERNAL

•

Figure 8

NOTICE
VERY IMPORTANT: In the event a leak is found at the air supply unit (Figure 9) a video and photographs of the leak is required to be attached
to a new or existing DISS query

Figure 9
•

Referring to Figure 10 - Ensure the air pipes are not kinked or damaged

CAUTION
A minimum radius of 30mm MUST be observed HINT: The pipes shown (CIRCLED) are bent and kinked and do not meet the minimum radius
of 30mm
INTERNAL

Figure 10
•

Referring to Figure 11 - The pink air line routing IS NOT CORRECT

Hint: The pink air line is restricting the other air lines

Figure 11
•

Referring to Figures 12,13 and 14 attach clear photographs of the components shown

Figure 12

INTERNAL

Figure 13

Figure 14

NOTICE
In the event an air leak or any other issues were found at any of the afore mentioned locations the operative should attach clear photos or
video (if requested) to a new or existing DISS query
Hint: Warranty payments may not be processed should the required information not be provided

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.

INTERNAL

Air supply check points - Continental series (pre 2018) and Flying Spur
Check

Yes No Comments

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

Air supply check points - Mulsanne
Check
Air pipe connection (arrow)
Location – Boot floor

INTERNAL

Yes No Comments

Air supply check points - Bentayga
Check

Yes No Comments

Air pipe connections on the twin tanks (arrows)
Location – Rear footwells beneath carpets

Air supply check points – New Continental GT/C and New Flying Spur
Check
Air pipe connection (2)
Location – Refer to the repair manual depending on model

INTERNAL

Yes No

Comments

Section 5 - Air pipe repairs
If no evident air leak has been detected in the previous sections, refer to Elsapro, Repair Group 43, “Air suspension – To check”.
The “Air suspension leak tester VAS 751 001” is used to check the air spring struts, solenoid valve block, accumulators, compressors, air
reservoirs and air pipes for leaks.
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 accounting instructions
Warranty type
110 or 910
Damage Service Number 43 25 - Air spring related claims
43 85 - Air supply line issues
Damage Code
00 50
Time to conduct the air suspension fault finding check
Labour Operation Code 44 96 01 00
Time
20 TU
Time to conduct the initial diagnosis
Labour Operation Code 44 96 03 00
Time
50 TU
Time to repair x1 air supply line
Labour Operation Code 44 96 41 00
Time
20 TU
Due to the numerous vehicle models which are covered within this TPI, please refer to the Elsa pro labour operations in the
event that an air spring damper was replaced
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 15

•

All ride height measurements (A-A) before and after. See Figure 15

•

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

Figure 15

INTERNAL