Two weeks ago I purchased a 1999 XK8 with 66000 miles on it and am in the process of going through it to identify what needs to be updated. One of these items is the convertible top hydraulic hoses which I’ve read are prone to failing.

In looking at hoses lines at the pump there were two where it was easy to read the information printed on the hose, both are Parker Ployflex 363 with one marked as 3-Q-08 and the other marked as 3-Q-07.

Does this indicate that the hoses have been replaced since 2008 and the likelihood of a failure is greatly reduced?

Thanks

 

108 views and no responses, I thought this would have been an easy question.

Also just replaced my front and read crankshaft seals, the rear was leaking quite a bit. Wow they were hard and stiff, no wonder they leaked.

 

It's only easy if you know the answer.

An earlier threads says that the 363 hose has been discontinued but doesn't say when.

The latch hoses are the usual failures, so you may feel comfortable just changing those, there are a couple of sources for replacement hoses.

 

Yes the 363 have failed. Use this link to read additional information about the hoses.

Link JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

 

I checked the hoses in my 1998 VIN xxx299 about a year ago and discovered that the hoses are the originals prior to the factory changeover to the defective ones, which occurred sometime during MY 98. They're considered "safe" according to info on this site. Vehicle mfg date is 01/98 (on driver's door sill).

Based on the info on the hoses am comfortable that I will not have any problems. I don't recall what they're labeled but would be happy to recheck them again and report here by the end of the week if you'd like.

Sam

 

Hi.


I have the "old" hoses in my -97, VIN 011XXX. No, knock wood, burst so far.

 

I have a 98 and had expected to install the hydraulic pressure relief valve, but reading this I was surprised that the '98 did not all have bad hoses. My build date is August 97 so I expect I am safe (knock on wood)....however my hoses seem to have no markings whatsoever...(pics attached)...can anyone tell for sure from the fittings (which have a 06/97 marking on them).

Merry Christmas to me! Thank you forum for this Christmas gift!

Second question: Has anyone with 97 or 98 XK had a problem with the latch seals? Wondering if it may still be worthwhile installing the PRV.

Cheers

 

One question I had in the original post was whether I was reading the date code on the hoses correctly, they are 3-Q-07 and 3-Q-08 and after a bit more reading I've found these are 3rd quarter of 2007 and 3rd quarter of 2008 so they must have been replaced by the prior owner.

Unfortunately they are still the Polyflex 363 so they are just as susceptible to failure as the originals, later hoses appear to be the Polyflex 2000 series and the better replacement seems to be Coliflower kit.

 

I an attempt to keep the hoses from leaking on my 2000 XK8 the first piece of preventative maintenance I did was change out the hydraulic fluid.

Then I installed the PRV. It might have worked for a while but in 2011 they let loose at the top latch connection anyway. I don't believe the hoses were defective, just worn out after thousands of heat cycles over the years.

I installed the stainless steel hoses from Coliflower (See Gus's website) which are absolutely top notch.

After several months the seals in the top latch let go. Clearly, to me, I had chased the problem to the next weakest point. I had the latch rebuilt by Top Hydraulics, Inc. in Oregon - one of the first XK8 applications they did. Very happy.

Figuring I hadn't spent enough on the top yet, I installed the Remote Top module from WhiteXK. Excellent product.

All in, I've probably got $1,000 tied up in opening and closing the top. That's way more than I expected, but then, talk to someone with a comparable year Mercedes and see what they say...

On the plus side, my top is bulletproof and I don't hesitate to use it as often as I like.