Hi, i recently purchased a 2006 xk8 convertible. I have had no problems with the top hydraulics, and no leaky hoses. However, I would like to do something preventative to perhaps mitigate the chance of a problem.
I know that Gus Glikas used to seel a hydraulic pressure relief valve kit at Jagrepair.com. I believe it is now no longer available, which is a shame as it looked like a nice clean installation.
Can anyone tell me if there is something similar being produced?
Also if anyone has any good suggestions on how to lower the pressure, I would really appreciate it. Thanks and best regards

 

Given the age of the components, I doubt there is much you can do for top hydraulic hose failure mitigation at this point in time other than keeping the car parked in the shade as much as possible. Long exposures to extreme heat via direct sunlight appears to be a major factor that leads to the eventual green shower....

 

Congrats on your 06 purchase. It's hard to find a second gen these days and prices are going up. I'm sorry the relief kits aren't still available. Understandable because Gus put in many years supporting this forum. My 06 is a recent purchase and planned to use it. One option is convert to manual operation of the latch. Cap off the hydraulic connections. Easy to use a small allen wrench to open/close. Alternatives are 1) spend roughly 3k to do good aftermarket hoses or 2) spend a lot of time DIY replacement. Good luck

 

Hi, thanks, the components are new. I was really reaching out to see if anyone new of a device similar to the one Gus Glikasformerly sold that helped reduce the hydraulic pressure. Best regards

 

That's great that it's got new hoses. Not an expert but sounds like if components are high quality aftermarket, chances of the "green shower" should be lower. OEM lines were way under spec'd for pressure. Per Jon's recommend, keeping it out of the sun makes sense.

 

Hi, I really appreciate you guys taking the time to rep;ly. Yes, the hoses are aftermarket and have a far higher pressure rating, and I agree that is pr obably all i need, but I like to do everything I can for the car, so I am really after any information in regard to someone who might know of a device, similar to the one that Gus Glikas used to sell, to help lower the hydraulic pressure.
Yes, I was already aware that keeping it out of the sun is a good idea. I'm also aware of the multitude of other suggestions to keep the system healthy
So,havinng said that, if anyone hasany info in regard to the pressure regulator, I would appreciate it
Really appreciate the wisdom of the Forum

 

Welcome to the forumalpha4,

There are still options steveinfrance came up with a diy pressure reducing valve https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ist-faq-75709/ and Dennis07 as well as coming up with the manual operation mod also found a way to adjust the original pumps pressure output https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...uction-127976/ https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ryo...5MVQuOFx_/view
Happy reading.

 

Wow, thanks...just what I was looking for...some good leads on perhaps modifying the amount of hydraulic pressure. Thank you so much for answering my question. Best regards

 

Wow, I just read the links you sent. This is just the kind of information I was looking for. I wish that Gus Glikas still made his pressure reducing add-on, but this really gets me going in the right direction. Thanks again

 

A, several years ago one of us did a study on the peak pressure vs. Voltage supply. He found that adding a power resistor to the hot lead / convertible pump, made a significant difference in psi!

Of course the premise is: reduce the stress in fluid pressure = reduce the likelihood of hose failure.

The only drawback with this solution is: the open / close cycle will take noticeably longer.

As I recall, this solution was accepted by us all as slightly less effective than the pressure valve you mentioned, but quite effective in its own right. All in parts were less than $10 (probably closer to half that if you've got a soldering iron). Someone can correct me if I'm now wrong, but for several years no one with the resistor mod experienced a hose rupture.

I don't recall the size (ohms) of the resistor, and after a long day I'm too tired to figure it out for you ( :-) but I'm certain we posted that in the threads discussing this back then.

Just in case you don't recognize it, "power" resistor refers to a resistor designed to handle several amps. That motor draws a lot of power!

John

 

Hi John, thank you very much for the information. I really like getting information like this to put into my references. But I still wish they were selling the pressure reducer kit...haha. Thanks and best regards

 

Alpha-
This is what John is referring to in post #10:

 

Thanks Nick, really appreciate it. Best regards

 

Hi again Nick. It's a shame that the links in this pdf no longer work. It looks like there iis also some good info on the internal valves. Best regards

 

You can find the the voltage reduction thread here https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...raulics-42013/ the link to the PDF no longer works.

 

I just checked with Gus and he still makes the kit but is waiting on a few items which are on back order.

 

Hi, thanks for the info. I had sent gus an email on the slim chance he might have some. He replied to me, so i am going to try to get on the backorder list. Thanks again for the info. Best regards