1994 Q45a discovered active suspension system fluid has leak

[morton27]

Discovered what I thought was an oil leak was actually the fluid from the active suspension system with some type of dye in it. Rats. I feel like I got taken now that I have this car but determined to get it in shape. Do I try to repair leak and somehow flush fluid out or what? I was told to just get rid of the car now? Is there a way to bypass and cap off the the active suspension and just add some type of real good regular shocks? I don't know out of ideas here.

Thanx

[maxnix]

Conversion results in a heavier G50 unless great lengths are taken to replace unique active Q45 parts with standard Q45 parts. It is usually wiser to restore the active. Either way, you will be glad you have $3K-$6K cash kitty to draw upon.

http://www.q45asuspension.com

Keith is your friend. He is TexasOil on this board.

You need to sit down and read the FSM, then all previous posts by Q45tech and TexasOil, then you will understand in what you are involved and how best to restore your car to as new OEM condition.

By the way, operational and mechanical failures properly should be posted in IOM. Along with a summary of maintenance history for the system in question.

[3Q Jay]

is this Bob Reichert's car?

don't ignore the trouble, it will be worse later. actives can be fixed, but not cheap and very helpful if you can do your own wrenching. like Brian said, Keith is awesome.

if you *do* decide to convert and i'm not pushing that option, let me know so i can scavenge some parts.

[Mint Q45A]

Where is the leak at? It may be as simple as a loose fitting or O-ring (there a lot of them throughout the system). But it could also be a failed component; if this is the case, you are going to need $$$$$$.

I suggest you read the FSM section on the Active Suspenssion and try to identify exactly were the leak is at (i.e. control valves, actuators, accumulators, etc.).

Don't be intimidated by the system - it sounds more complicated than it actually is, but you need to know what you are doing before you attemp to do any repairs yourself. Is just a matter of following some basic steps (i.e how to relieve the pressure).

Keith is your guy...

[lino]

http://www.q45asuspension.com

Keith is your friend. He is TexasOil on this board.

Here is his other website:http://activesuspensionsystems.com/

He is what you you call a true gentleman and the knowledge he has about active suspensions is truly remarkable. Give him call or email him.

[TBrack]

Conversion results in a heavier G50 unless great lengths are taken to replace unique active Q45 parts with standard Q45 parts. It is usually wiser to restore the active. Either way, you will be glad you have $3K-$6K cash kitty to draw upon.

http://www.q45asuspension.com

Keith is your friend. He is TexasOil on this board.

You need to sit down and read the FSM, then all previous posts by Q45tech and TexasOil, then you will understand in what you are involved and how best to restore your car to as new OEM condition.

By the way, operational and mechanical failures properly should be posted in IOM. Along with a summary of maintenance history for the system in question.

The FSM is more boring than Air Force TO's and Pub's

[morton27]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'll take a look at the FSM and go from there. conversion sounds like tyhe wrong way to go.

thanks again

[morton27]

I'm going to attempt a conversion. No way am I paying 1000's of dollars for what comes down to shocks. Active suspension is not something most of us need anyway. Its just very nice to have as far as Iam concerend. Wish me luck any other hints are much appreciated.

[maxnix]

I'm going to attempt a conversion. No way am I paying 1000's of dollars for what comes down to shocks. Active suspension is not something most of us need anyway. Its just very nice to have as far as Iam concerend. Wish me luck any other hints are much appreciated.

Did you talk to Keith? If not, you are not completely informed.

Most os us don't need a Q45 either, but we appreciate them. To find a suspension that functions nearly as well, you will have to buy an optioned MB S class, about $100K or more.

Most conversions are incomplete as they are not total, so about 200 lbs. of now dead components are left on the car.

If you don't want the active, consder selling your car and getting a standard or t model that you will not have to convert.

[lino]

I'm going to attempt a conversion. No way am I paying 1000's of dollars for what comes down to shocks. Active suspension is not something most of us need anyway. Its just very nice to have as far as Iam concerend. Wish me luck any other hints are much appreciated.

Have you done the math both ways to see how much it will cost? Have you spoken to Keith?

[RAP]

Quote from above:If you don't want the active, consder selling your car and getting a standard or t model that you will not have to convert.

Good advice, or, is it?

Selling the car presupposes that a buyer would be so ignorant that he would NOT be aware of the car having some expensive repair problems? A willing seller needs a willing buyer ? ? ?

What about due diligence? As in "thinking of buying a Q" advice thread posted on this board, hmmm? Or is it "I'll sell this car to some dumb scmuck that will not know any better" ? ? ? Honesty and dis-honesty are not abstract concepts.

If this car, '94. year model has such a problem then, IMO, then it ain't worth much past a parts car?

Prior to my purchase of my 2000 Q45 I read about the active, on these boards, and promptly decided that it was not for me.

Good luck Jack

[maxnix]

Good advice, or, is it?

Selling the car presupposes that a buyer would be so ignorant that he would NOT be aware of the car having some expensive repair problems? A willing seller needs a willing buyer ? ? ?

If this car, '94. year model has such a problem then, IMO, then it ain't worth much past a parts car?

Well, it would be better for someone who understands the car to own it. Like 3QJay.

Like Q45tech says, most people don't understand what they are purchasing is an opportunity to spend at least another $6K -$10K to restore the car or else drive it until it breaks, which will be very soon.

Too many young people not understanding the financial demands of an imported luxury V8 sedan and buying them because even in their decrepit condition with thousands of dollars of deferred maintenance they are so much better than the Honda, Hyundai or Subie they just augured into the ground.

[3Q Jay]

Well, it would be better for someone who understands the car to own it. Like 3QJay.

nice thought, but i'm in enough trouble with the war department anyway.couldn't justify another, no matter how nice.

but to the original poster: you might have other options to fix it. until you know the scope of needed repairs, it might be as simple as fixing the leak. you don't have to buy $1000+ strut assembly. there are options thru Keith, junkyards, even myself.

conversion is always a last resort, but there is a cost involved there too.

[Salmat]

Two years ago, I bought a 1992 Q45a in mint condition. The engine had 60000 original miles on it and the owner (an old lady) found herself facing the nasty problem of fixing or redoing the active suspension. She took it to the dealer who quoted her about $6,000 at least with a time frame of one month since the parts were not locally available. She asked me if I wanted it for very cheap...I ended up buying it from her for $4,000...Now, for the suspension, I had a friend who was into converting anything he could find...He found a company back east who specializes in conversions and they had a kit for the Q45a that fit like a glove without any modification.I got the kit for about $775.00 and he charged me $250.00 for installation, and I was home free...Of course it's not as comfortable as the active suspension but it is worry free...no oils, no liquid whatsoever...That was 2 years ago...I am new to this forum, from Oceanside CA, and I thank you for the opportunity to throw in my 2 cents...

[maxnix]

Did he remove all the old plumbing gor the active? Replace the PS pump with a standard one? Replace pulley? If not, you have about 150-200 lbs. of dead weight on your car. Why I sincerely recommend anyone who doesn't want a total conversion to get a non-active model.