Is there a semi-permanent solution to the "green shower" from the roof latch hoses (short of buying a coupe)? I'm on the 3rd set now and looking for a better solution. Bribed stainless steel maybe?

 

I am interested as well- why didn't they use fixed metal piping like brake lines up there?

 

How long are they lasting before failure?

 

You might want to check 'Gus's Web Site' for the Braided Steel Lines from Coliflower. I have had them in for 2 years now (and some very hot summers with closed windows) and have not had any further problems with the Latch Hoses.

You might also want to check, on the 'Pressure Reduction' options back at the Pump Motor in the Trunk. There is a 'Valved Option' and an 'Electrical Option'. There has been a lot of discussion on these, in the Forum.

 

When the latch is operated it has the freedom to move a little (flex) and for that reason a metal hose is not a good option it would have a tendency to fail as well.
The system puts out 1600psi to the latch I should also mention that I measured about 185° +/- a few in the header several times in my testing and the hoses Jaguar hoses are failing in this environment. The only good fix is to get hoses that meet and exceed the pressures and temperatures and I have links to both on my page.

Link JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

Link JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

Link to Valve JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

I hope this helps!

 

My estimate would be 5 to 6 years each time. Original, 1st replacement, now 2nd replacement.

 

That's a fair point but there could have still been tubes/pipes running the length of the car with a short flexible section for the final connection.

Got to love that hindsight thing!

 

As I posted yesterday, I put in braided steel hoses about a year and a half ago and continued to have leaks for about a month at various places around the fittings. They replaced the hoses and all of the fittings again, and it finally stopped leaking until Monday morning when I got the "green shower" with my top down on a warm L.A. morning. We pulled the headrail off to find that one of the hoses was "sweating" hydraulic fluid near the exit of the actuator and just inside of the fittings. It would leak enough to pool and eventually drip through the upper console mesh. These hoses were purchased from a company that custom makes such hoses for all hydraulic applications and guarantees up to 3000psi. I have the pressure reduction device installed, and I still had problems. It is in the shop being done right now and hopefully I will get it late today.

 

Well this has been an discouraging thread so far. So what's the best bet, factory hoses and the PRV or braided hoses?

 

The hoses that he is talking about were not purchased from the distributors I have on my page. For now I would recommend Chic or Top Hydraulics for your hoses. You will find links on my page.

 

From the investigations of my indy and myself, it appears the factory hoses torque when being tightened down. All of the hoses he has seen fail all fail at the same point and look similar, where the material becomes brittle the torque on the hose cracks near the fitting and then fails. My indy has used the OEM Jag replacement hoses dozens of times and has not had one fail as of the last time I talked to him about it.

I replaced mine with the hose kit from Coliflower, it may or may not fail in the future as these hoses haven't really been around for long, but they seem much more durable and much less likely to fail if installed properly. Time will tell.

 

The moment braided hoses were mentioned I wanted to know if they were the hoses the supplier on my page. I do not know what this other company is using and I suspect that the crimp at the fittings are in question. I hope the hoses from the supplier on my page last a lot longer than the ones he is getting in LA. I would say you did the right thing by getting them from Coliflower.

 

Gus and all,

Thanks for your advice and opinions. All is valued. I will probably go with the OEM hoses and install the pressure reducing valve. Also, maybe in 5 years (before the hoses go again) I will upgrade to a 2006 XKR.

 

Quick question- is there a difference between hoses (latch)for the older XK's (98) and the newer (01)?

 

I installed OEM hoses in my car many years ago in fact it was 6 months prior to my investigating the cause of the failures because I wrote the first procedure on how to replace the hoses. I estimate a little over 8 years on that hose and it is still in the car. Shortly after the hose install I installed the second pressure manufactured relief valve in my car. The car is a daily driver with 126,000 mi on it and the roof was operated the other day when I washed it. I do have the first Coliflower hose in a box ready to install when the other fails. I should mention that the roof was operated at least once a day on a clear day in the summer and at least once in December when the wife and I go to see the xmas lights with a cup of coffee and hot chocolate. Also it was not garage kept. Yes I know Jaguar says not to operate the roof in cold weather. What is the point in owning a convertible if you are afraid to use it………

 

You can read all about what I found about the hyd system on my page or you can look on this forum.

 

You can ask me any question and I will answer it to the best of my ability.

 

+1 Gus purchased the wife a 12 volt electric blanket from Northern Tool. As the Grandson says"top down Pop Pop"

 

Again thanks. No doubt that I will use the OEM hoses and install the pressure reducing valve.

 

And make sure they are not stressed at the fitting during installation. I think Xeno's point is very well taken.