I've read a number of threads here in the XK8 section concerning the dreaded "green shower of death" issue experienced when your convertible top hydraulic system decides to give up the ghost. What I haven't seen here on the forum or read in my owners manual is whether we should routinely check the level of hydraulic fluid in the pump. If so, what is the procedure, and how often should it be performed? And what exactly is the fluid?

 

The fluid is Pentosin CHF 11s hydraulic fluid available at your friendly neighborhood NAPA dealer, and lots of other places, for less than $20 per liter. Much, much more at the Jaguar dealer.

There is not a routine service on this item. If it gets low you will feel/hear your pump moaning without any damage as long as you deal with it at that time. If the fluid is low you have a leak that is not going to get better and will need to be addressed.

 

If you want to actually check the level, remove the inner panel on the right side of the trunk. On the back of the hydraulic pump is a semi-transparent tank that has a line marked half-way up. This line represents the fill line.