Ok so my 93 xjs’s top worked about half the first times I tried it. It would open a little past halfway, then I had to finish opening manually, but then would close all the way in auto. My fluid was below the min mark and there was air in the lines, so I wasnt too surprised it didn’t work completely. I didn’t mess with it much and finally got a liter of hydraulic top fluid to top it off (yes I know it probably has a leak). Flash forward to today and I finally got around to adding the fluid. I switched the top to manual and raised it and filled the reservoir. I then opened and closed the top in manual a few times and topped it off again. I then closed the top, threw the top lever in auto and set the parking brake. I hit the switch and the motor/pump started running and…nothing! I thought ok, maybe Ill put it in the open position and tried again. The top kinda shudders a little and thats about it. I ended up adding the whole liter, and I still have air in the lines. Any thoughts why after adding the fluid that it would stop working all together?

 

You say Hydraulic fluid, did you use any fluid or the correct one ? Royco 756 aircraft hydraulic fluid is usually recommended.

 

I used the Pentosin CHF11s. I would like to think that even if it were the wrong fluid, seeing as how people use all kinds of stuff, that it wouldn't make it stop working completely.

 

Hi Timeisrelative

Just wondering if you may have overfilled it?

Not giving any excess Fluid anywhere to go, when you lower the top, in the event that may have happened you could suck it out with a plastic syringe and start over

I have had this happen on my Car and found it is much better to 'work' the Soft Top up and down on Auto, as if you do it in manual the Pump may not be able to prime and get the Air out

 

It doesn't "show" overfull, but I guess its a possibility. I was kinda wondering if if maybe it could have become air locked, but figured it should work its way out own its own with cycling it. I wonder if I may have a hole in a line somewhere

 

Hi Timeisrelative

You should be able to see the Full Line Mark somewhere either on or in the Pump (can't remember where it is) but its got one on it somewhere

Also you may have to slacken off the nut on one of the Hydraulic Pipes coming out of the pump motor to Bleed the Air out, as I don't think it will bleed out on its own

Shouldn't be too difficult, as I think your Pump may be in the Boot/Trunk though it could make a bit of a mess

Rag and a Container at the ready to catch any drips

 

I know about the mark, when I added fluid I added to the max line. Then cycled it and refilled to full. Of course after trying to run it its down to the min mark again.

 

It's actually self bleeding. The room you leave in the reservoir is for air to assemble. Just make sure the bypass knob is selected and in the correct position for normal ops. If it's been in the bypass position for a while, and now you want t bring it back in the normal operation position, have a helper operate the electric switch such that you know the pump is operating and you work the top to help the motor and hydraulics the first few times. There could be air in the system if your reservoir was empty for long time and you were working the top in "bypass" position for a while.

 

OK cool! Ill have to try that this weekend!

 

Does the fluid level drop off if you try it a few times, maybe leaking around one of the rams so not enough pressure generated?