Hi,
My 99 XKR convertible suffered the latch hose failure last year, I've replaced the hoses and fitted the pressure relief mod.
When stripping the interior I found green fluid under the back seat, and on the n/s inner wheel arch. No specific sign of a leak, so I assumed it was 'misting' out of the top seal on the ram, and hoped the newly reduced pressure in the system might allow me to get away with it. However.. it didn't and the leak has got worse, much worse. So it looks like the ram, or both rams need to be replaced.
Does anyone know if these are repairable or reconditionable, have any lying around, or know if they are the same on any of the other cars that use the same hydraulic roof system.. (Saab, Bmw etc..)
Many thanks
Andy

 

Andy,
You can go to my page and see what a ram looks like taken apart. I did this to see the cause of the leak and to see if it can be repaired and in my opinion a repair is not an option. It is a sealed unit. http://www.gusglikas.com/AutoRepairHydHose.htm go to the end of the post and you will see the ram. You are not alone with the leaking ram. You say that you have the pressure relief valve. Are you now installing it or has it been in operation for a while? If you are installing it I would hold off on the ram replacement until you see how it functions with the pressure relief valve installed. The reduction of the pressure from 1600psi to 1000psi might make the difference. An afterthought, is it your ram or the hose going to it?

 

Thanks for that Gus, The pressure relief valve was installed last year after a latch hose burst, but the leak on the ram has got progressively worse, despite the lower pressure. There are no actual signs of a direct leak anywhere, hose connections are dry, hoses are dry, but the ram is wet around the top where the piston enters the body, and all the areas near the ram, the wheel arch, speaker etc are wet with oil, This leads me to think a fine mist of oil is spraying out of the top seals of the cylinder. Oil drips out of the bottom of the car in front of the rear wheel, and the foam under the rear seat is soaked.
I think a replacement ram is in order, but I can't source a second hand one, and I doubt the car is worth the price of a new one... hence my question as to the rams in the BMW and Saab, lots more of those in scrapyards...!!!
Kind Regards
Andy

 

Andy,
You may be on to something. The company PowerPackers makes systems for BMW & MB and chances are that the same ram may be available. If you check into this please let me know and if it does I will post it on my page to help others.

 

I replaced the rams not so long ago on a 99 and for the life of me I cant remember the cost but I dont seem to remember them being massively expensive?

I take it you have tried Eurojag as they are not all that far away from you?

 

You can find the roof lift rams on Ebay (UK) site for 200 pounds inc shipping,
may be a look ?

Regards

Redpoptop

 

Thanks Guys, I've contacted eurojag, and found the ones on ebay, although £200 seems a bit steep for second hand ones which might fail within a couple of months, BUT.. how can one put a price on keeping the Missus topless and happy for the summer..<lol>

 

I wish you luck!

 

There are a few other guys you can try, Jag Breakers (talk to Ben), Just Jags, Jag Spares (ask for Trevor)


And I agree £200 is a bit steep but I find JoJags very expensive, he was selling some secondhand rear bumper mounts for £30, I can buy them new from Jaguar for that sort of money!

 

I just replaced one new in Cdn Dollars and It cost me just shy of $400.
It was the right side for what it's worth.

 

It seems the right lift is the first to go. I guess it’s because it is closest to the pump.