AIr suspension problem xj8 2004

[jinkster]

I recently bought a xj8 2004 in the Middle East and It occasionally comes up with an air suspension problem. When it doesn't I can here a knocking when I go over bumps on the front. The car doesn't seem to sit low but the knocking is annoying.

Can you suggest anything I should check?

[rswift]

I have a 2003 XJ8.

The most common Air Suspension fault (Amber light/Air Suspension Fault message ) is often due to a slow build up of air pressure from a worn compressor. You can rebuild these for about £20 with an easily available piston.....I'll try and find a link. I suspect the occasional noise may be unrelated, or worn bush etc.

[rswift]

I can't copy the link on my phone, but copy this into EBay.

"Jaguar XJ6 XJ8 XJR X350 Air Suspension Compressor Pump Seal Repair Kit"

[Dodsy]

If its the pump then you should find that the air suspension warning comes on 2-3 minutes after you start up. Normally worse on cold days. If that is what happens then either refub the pump or have a new one fitted. Its not a big issue as it will eventually get up to pressure but it will need sorting eventually as the pump will just get worse.

The knocking is probably a failed bush and nothing to do with the air suspension fault - Get a garage to check all the bushes and mounts , unfortunately they do fail quite often on these cars.

ETA: Join this forum for loads of good Jag Advice http://www.jaguarforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=32

Edited by Dodsy on Wednesday 4th February 09:51

[Phil74]

I had the Air Suspension warning on mine. I don't think that the knocking is related, as mentioned above. I did all of this mid Dec 2014, so fairly recently.

I got this repair kit.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-XJ6-XJ8-XJR-X350-...

I believe that this seller, Bagpipingandy, is the guy that originally started to produce the repair kit. It was simple enough to do although I ended up taking the front bumper off. The other thing that I got was this as I had to hacksaw a couple of fixings off that had rusted up.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JAGUAR-XJ-X350-03-09-CLI...

I main problem that I had, which I think that a few of the guys on jaguarforum.co.uk have had, is that the 2 bolts that secure the 2 halves of the compressor together sheared. I had to get a friend, who does machining for a living, to drill the snapped ends out and then helicoil it. I worked on the basis that the car was going to be off the road for a week and had to have the headlamp units out to replace the xenon bulbs anyway. Took it all apart one Saturday morning, back together the following Saturday.

Anyway, the Air Suspension fault has not reappeared since and the headlamps no longer flick on and off.

It's now off the road again due to ABS/Traction control fault. I now need to get the fault code read but am waiting for the weather to improve a bit. My Impreza is probably better suited to the current conditions anyway.

[Stedman]

Knocking could be drop links too. My dad's TDVI had some that seemed fine but sounded horrible.

[jinkster]

Thanks all for the help. I bought Bag piping Andys kit from eBay and will fit that when I get back to the car in Qatar.

Regarding the suspensions. I've ordered two arms which include the ball joint - i've been told it could be this that is causing the problem. I shall keep you all posted.

Thanks.