The convertible top operates very slow and apparently has a leak in the system. I can't do this type of work any more (physically). Can someone advise what I can expect a dealer to charge for the repair?

 

fR144,

I've moved your question from Jaguar Forums Advice / Feedback & Suggestion Center to XK8/XKR forum. The Advice / Feedback & Suggestion Center is for questions about the forum and not for tech question.

Members here with the same model will be able to help.

Graham

 

Welcome to the forum!

The first thing to check is the fluid level in the pump reservoir but if it is low you do have a leak and that has to be fixed.

The first likely place for leaks is the top latch which requires removing a significant portion of the interior. That usually shows up as a fluid drip from the overhead console. Labor time estimates are about 8 hours plus over $200 for the hoses. Don't know what is a reasonable indy labor rate in your area but you are looking at probably $1400 at a dealer.

The other leak spot is the operating ram seals. No one know why but the right one seems to fail more often than the left. Look for a wet spot on the bottom of the floor pan in front of the rear tires. The ram cylinder seals can be rebuilt for a couple hundred and only require the rear seat to be removed. Many on this forum do their own work and I have not heard any feedback on dealer cost. A dealer would probably want to install a new cylinder at significantly higher cost than an indy with a rebuilt one.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

[edit] after rereading your post I see that you have a '98 MY. The early cars had much better hoses than those after. If you have the stronger hoses the ram seal would be most likely, if the later hoses the latch.

 

Yes, Welcome to the forum...clarification, the early 98 also had good hoses...they switched hoses at some point during MY98....you will find pictures of the hoses in some threads....also lots of info on this problem on jagrepair.com

 

A roof operating slowly in this weather (cold) is not a problem. However, you should check the fluid you have in the tank if it is brown in color replace it if it is green make sure the fluid is between the two hash marks on the side of the tank. If you are low on fluid you could be losing it from a bad hose, latch seal or at you ram seals. At times a little lubrication like WD40 on the rams will help however, lubrication will not help a system with the older fluid (brown on color). Do not discount a failing or an under voltage battery, have it checked.