sosuzguy

Yes, I can isolate the leak on either side of the gauge. Using soapy water on the port where the exhaust solenoid vents makes large air bubbles.

Back in Feb I finally found a company that was rebuilding the elc compressors for many GM and Ford cars. Suspension"]http://www.suncoreindustries.com/"]Suspension, Air Suspension, Parts, Conversion, Kits, Air Ride, Airbags, Shocks, Coils, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Hummer, Range Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercury, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Toyota - Suncore Industries. However they didn't rebuild the 79-85 systems, just the 95-99 and various other GM's from 86-current. After discussing with the Supervisor that the air dryer in these compressors for the Riv had a valving arrangement just for E-bodies that needed to maintain 15-20 psi at all times they agreed to rebuild it since, "they were all the same pretty much" according to the company. The valving arrangement is just a couple of springs and a rubber flap like a check valve that is inside the dryer on the system. I have finally got around to getting this rebuilt compressor on the car. I've also built myself an ELC tester very similar to the ones the service manual says to use (pictured) Now I've found that the rebuilt compressor is leaking down after about two hours. There were a few hicups during this rebuild process with the company Rep finally saying they were not going to rebuild these anymore for the 79-85 models! Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get these compressors rebuilt where they don't leak down? I'm suprised more people aren't having trouble with these. Is there any other company out there that maybe I don't know about that would consider rebuilding these? Since our 79-85's are getting some collector attention I'm sure the need for these will be more in demand, not to mention it's the same compressors used for Eldo and Toro of this vintage. Sorry but manually adding air to the system is not something I'm interested in doing. Pictured is the tester I made for these systems. Mine is permantely mounted for the time being. Anyone have any ideas of maybe companies to go to, to try and get them to consider a rebuilding program on these? So far no one rebuilds any of these for the Big Buicks, Oldsmobiles or Cadillacs!

Back in Feb I finally found a company that was rebuilding the elc compressors for many GM and Ford cars. Suspension"]http://www.suncoreindustries.com/"]Suspension, Air Suspension, Parts, Conversion, Kits, Air Ride, Airbags, Shocks, Coils, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Hummer, Range Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercury, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Toyota - Suncore Industries. However they didn't rebuild the 79-85 systems, just the 95-99 and various other GM's from 86-current. After discussing with the Supervisor that the air dryer in these compressors for the Riv had a valving arrangement just for E-bodies that needed to maintain 15-20 psi at all times they agreed to rebuild it since, "they were all the same pretty much" according to the company. The valving arrangement is just a couple of springs and a rubber flap like a check valve that is inside the dryer on the system. I have finally got around to getting this rebuilt compressor on the car. I've also built myself an ELC tester very similar to the ones the service manual says to use (pictured) Now I've found that the rebuilt compressor is leaking down after about two hours. There were a few hicups during this rebuild process with the company Rep finally saying they were not going to rebuild these anymore for the 79-85 models! Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get these compressors rebuilt where they don't leak down? I'm suprised more people aren't having trouble with these. Is there any other company out there that maybe I don't know about that would consider rebuilding these? Since our 79-85's are getting some collector attention I'm sure the need for these will be more in demand, not to mention it's the same compressors used for Eldo and Toro of this vintage. Sorry but manually adding air to the system is not something I'm interested in doing. Pictured is the tester I made for these systems. Mine is permantely mounted for the time being. Anyone have any ideas of maybe companies to go to, to try and get them to consider a rebuilding program on these? So far no one rebuilds any of these for the Big Buicks, Oldsmobiles or Cadillacs!

Back in Feb I finally found a company that was rebuilding the elc compressors for many GM and Ford cars. Suspension"]http://www.suncoreindustries.com/"]Suspension, Air Suspension, Parts, Conversion, Kits, Air Ride, Airbags, Shocks, Coils, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Hummer, Range Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercury, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Toyota - Suncore Industries. However they didn't rebuild the 79-85 systems, just the 95-99 and various other GM's from 86-current. After discussing with the Supervisor that the air dryer in these compressors for the Riv had a valving arrangement just for E-bodies that needed to maintain 15-20 psi at all times they agreed to rebuild it since, "they were all the same pretty much" according to the company. The valving arrangement is just a couple of springs and a rubber flap like a check valve that is inside the dryer on the system. I have finally got around to getting this rebuilt compressor on the car. I've also built myself an ELC tester very similar to the ones the service manual says to use (pictured) Now I've found that the rebuilt compressor is leaking down after about two hours. There were a few hicups during this rebuild process with the company Rep finally saying they were not going to rebuild these anymore for the 79-85 models! Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get these compressors rebuilt where they don't leak down? I'm suprised more people aren't having trouble with these. Is there any other company out there that maybe I don't know about that would consider rebuilding these? Since our 79-85's are getting some collector attention I'm sure the need for these will be more in demand, not to mention it's the same compressors used for Eldo and Toro of this vintage. Sorry but manually adding air to the system is not something I'm interested in doing. Pictured is the tester I made for these systems. Mine is permantely mounted for the time being. Anyone have any ideas of maybe companies to go to, to try and get them to consider a rebuilding program on these? So far no one rebuilds any of these for the Big Buicks, Oldsmobiles or Cadillacs!

Back in Feb I finally found a company that was rebuilding the elc compressors for many GM and Ford cars. Suspension"]http://www.suncoreindustries.com/"]Suspension, Air Suspension, Parts, Conversion, Kits, Air Ride, Airbags, Shocks, Coils, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Hummer, Range Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercury, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Toyota - Suncore Industries. However they didn't rebuild the 79-85 systems, just the 95-99 and various other GM's from 86-current. After discussing with the Supervisor that the air dryer in these compressors for the Riv had a valving arrangement just for E-bodies that needed to maintain 15-20 psi at all times they agreed to rebuild it since, "they were all the same pretty much" according to the company. The valving arrangement is just a couple of springs and a rubber flap like a check valve that is inside the dryer on the system. I have finally got around to getting this rebuilt compressor on the car. I've also built myself an ELC tester very similar to the ones the service manual says to use (pictured) Now I've found that the rebuilt compressor is leaking down after about two hours. There were a few hicups during this rebuild process with the company Rep finally saying they were not going to rebuild these anymore for the 79-85 models! Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get these compressors rebuilt where they don't leak down? I'm suprised more people aren't having trouble with these. Is there any other company out there that maybe I don't know about that would consider rebuilding these? Since our 79-85's are getting some collector attention I'm sure the need for these will be more in demand, not to mention it's the same compressors used for Eldo and Toro of this vintage. Sorry but manually adding air to the system is not something I'm interested in doing. Pictured is the tester I made for these systems. Mine is permantely mounted for the time being. Anyone have any ideas of maybe companies to go to, to try and get them to consider a rebuilding program on these? So far no one rebuilds any of these for the Big Buicks, Oldsmobiles or Cadillacs!

Back in Feb I finally found a company that was rebuilding the elc compressors for many GM and Ford cars. Suspension'>http://www.suncoreindustries.com/"]Suspension, Air Suspension, Parts, Conversion, Kits, Air Ride, Airbags, Shocks, Coils, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Hummer, Range Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercury, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Toyota - Suncore Industries. However they didn't rebuild the 79-85 systems, just the 95-99 and various other GM's from 86-current. After discussing with the Supervisor that the air dryer in these compressors for the Riv had a valving arrangement just for E-bodies that needed to maintain 15-20 psi at all times they agreed to rebuild it since, "they were all the same pretty much" according to the company. The valving arrangement is just a couple of springs and a rubber flap like a check valve that is inside the dryer on the system. I have finally got around to getting this rebuilt compressor on the car. I've also built myself an ELC tester very similar to the ones the service manual says to use (pictured) Now I've found that the rebuilt compressor is leaking down after about two hours. There were a few hicups during this rebuild process with the company Rep finally saying they were not going to rebuild these anymore for the 79-85 models! Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get these compressors rebuilt where they don't leak down? I'm suprised more people aren't having trouble with these. Is there any other company out there that maybe I don't know about that would consider rebuilding these? Since our 79-85's are getting some collector attention I'm sure the need for these will be more in demand, not to mention it's the same compressors used for Eldo and Toro of this vintage. Sorry but manually adding air to the system is not something I'm interested in doing. Pictured is the tester I made for these systems. Mine is permantely mounted for the time being. Anyone have any ideas of maybe companies to go to, to try and get them to consider a rebuilding program on these? So far no one rebuilds any of these for the Big Buicks, Oldsmobiles or Cadillacs!

Pete and TXbuicks thank you both for responding. I'll send each of you a private message on here. let me know if you don't get it.

Hi does anyone know if the local BCA in Dallas, Texas has a forum online or is this it? Thanks

Gee I'm glad to finally find out someone else has trouble with these. While I absolutely refuse to switch my system to the manual method of adding air I can't seem to get my system to maintain the 15-20psi in the system that the service manual says it should. Within an hour or two it leaks down. I know I have a leak on the shock end but with this handy tool I made it is also showing a leak down on the compressor side but I can't hear any air escaping nor does any bubbles show up with a spray of water and soap. Here is my most recent posting. Paul I've already sent you an email tonight about this one! http://forums.aaca.org/f177/cupping-rear-tires-85-riviera-270507-2.html If anyone would like a nice overview of why this system is on our cars I found this today. http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2007/11/01/hmn_feature17.html I also found this tech article which states "To ensure system is operating with at least minimum air pressure, height sensor commands an air replenishment cycle each time ignition is turned on. " SO maybe it's not uncommon for small air leaks between drive cycles? But then again this article was in response to a question about a 98 Deville. http://www.2carpros.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=469372

If anyone is unsure of how all your suspension componets are intended to work with your ELC system there is an article on Hemmings outlining where it originally came from, Cadillac. Hemmings Motor News: Suspending Disbelief

Because also in the compressor is the exhaust solenoid. If any air needs to be released it won't be able to get back to the solenoid to be released. Good try though. Thanks

Back in Feb I finally found a company that was rebuilding the elc compressors for many GM and Ford cars. Suspension, Air Suspension, Parts, Conversion, Kits, Air Ride, Airbags, Shocks, Coils, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Hummer, Range Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercury, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Toyota - Suncore Industries. However they didn't rebuild the 79-85 systems, just the 95-99 and various other GM's from 86-current. After discussing with the Supervisor that the air dryer in these compressors for the Riv had a valving arrangement just for E-bodies that needed to maintain 15-20 psi at all times they agreed to rebuild it since, "they were all the same pretty much" according to the company. The valving arrangement is just a couple of springs and a rubber flap like a check valve that is inside the dryer on the system. I have finally got around to getting this rebuilt compressor on the car. I've also built myself an ELC tester very similar to the ones the service manual says to use (pictured) Now I've found that the rebuilt compressor is leaking down after about two hours. There were a few hicups during this rebuild process with the company Rep finally saying they were not going to rebuild these anymore for the 79-85 models! Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get these compressors rebuilt where they don't leak down? I'm suprised more people aren't having trouble with these. Is there any other company out there that maybe I don't know about that would consider rebuilding these? Since our 79-85's are getting some collector attention I'm sure the need for these will be more in demand, not to mention it's the same compressors used for Eldo and Toro of this vintage. Sorry but manually adding air to the system is not something I'm interested in doing. Pictured is the tester I made for these systems. Mine is permantely mounted for the time being.

Straight Eight, your email address isn't working.

Straight Eight, I have the ELC section scanned already and will email to to you.

I have also noticed the rear wheels at an angle too because they were adjusted with a leaking ELC system. Basically adjusted with no air in the system, then you get in the car driving it and it's inflated and not aligned right.

The only reason the ELC system is connected to the BAT side is so after you turn the car off and unload the car the ELC system can exhaust any extra air that's not needed after the load is removed. Now the thing to do would of been to wire only the exhaust solenoid to the BAT and the compressor to the IGN side, but you have to have the height sensor still on the BAT side so that it can sense you've unloaded the car. From everything I have read the system has an internal timer that should shut the system off after X minutes of no activity. My system has slight leaks but never sits and cycles past the first 10 minutes or so after key off. If your system is leveling days after the last drive cycle there must be a bigger leak that is keeping the internal timer resetting. Many hardware stores sells o ring kits. Usually you just need to change out the o rings in the various connections. These are 2x-ish old o-rings that are pretty dried out. Most undetected leaks I've found were at the pressure relief valve that is overlooked. I have the ELC section from the service manual scanned for anyone who might need it although I think I need to write a simpler diagnositc procedure we can use without the speciality tools GM used.

Yes I agree..

My 84 T-type did this for years! drove me Nuts. Once I finally found the problem seems like the battery will stay up for months now. I had to put a meter inbetween the battery and the cable for the positive I think. I had someone watch the milliamps. Seems like mine was pulling around 30 to 80 milliamps which was a small draw but still draining. After I'd taken every fuse out of the box it still had a drain! The only thing left hooked up to the car was the factory alarm. When I disconnected the relay to it it went down to maybe 10 milliamps or less! The ECM should NOT drain the battery in a month. I have 3 of these cars at my house that sometimes sit for a month or so and the only one that ever drains is the one with an aftermarket alarm system!

No I sure don't.