With temps falling into the 30s in our neck of the woods now, our XK8's top is remaining up the vast majority of the time now. Is there any thought on whether the top should be exercised at least every ten days or so through the winter in order to keep the hydraulic system moving at least occasionally, and perhaps help to stave off the eventual green shower?

 

The green shower is created by excessive pressure on the hyd system. If you have a pressure relief system installed then operating it at any time would not be a problem. I should mention that exercising the roof it is not required.

 

I realize that Gus, but the inferior factory hoses still seem to fail eventually even with a pressure relief system installed....

I'll probably lower and raise the top once a month from now until spring 2013 just to ensure that everything is working as designed. We'll see....

 

Well I was actually wondering that. I have had the green shower. The dealer replaced the hoses above the rear view mirror. I have two leaking lift cylinders so my winter project is to ship them away to get new and improved seals. I was wondering whether or not I was going to get the pressure relief system installed. What is the point if I have already had these major issues rectified?

 

Jon89
I don't know of anybody with "NEW" factory hoses and the relief valve, having failed. I've read where they installed the relief valve with the old hoses and then had failure. Has anybody had leakage after the new hoses with the relief valve installed?
JagYour
The factory hoses have not been improved, your system still has the high pressure on the hoses during the up/down cycle so eventually the new hoses are going to stress The relief valve that Gus and his partner developed reduces this spike in pressure. There's also a resistor that reduces the voltage that's available. Gus's web site goes into detail about this system.

 

Would YOU take the chance and install new factory hoses after a green shower? I certainly wouldn't, pressure relief valve or no pressure relief valve....

The metal-braided industrial-strength hoses would be the only way to go as far as I'm concerned....

 

New hose is rated at over 3000PSI, I have them and no relief and I am not worried.
That is the reason I have my pressure relief kit for sale.

 

The failure of the factory hoses with an install of the pressure relief valve is not uncommon and should not be misunderstood. Chances are that the factory hose was weakened prior to the install of the pressure relief valve and it was just a matter of time. The install of the pressure relief valve will only extended the life and duration of the factory hose that has already been stressed. …

One thing to think about, in cold weather fluid has a tendency to change its viscosity and can become thicker.

 

I had to install new factory hoses, I also installed the relief valve at the same time. The braided hoses were not available.

 

If I am not mistaken, underneath that braid is plastic hose! If that's true and you are still concerned you may want to consider steel tubing as some have done. My plastic was replaced with new plastic and a pressure-relief system installed shortly after. I am sleeping well on that issue and am with Gus on the viscosity change: I won't move that top in sub 30 degree temperatures (which is an arbitrary temperature by the way).

 

I operate my roof in the winter! At times we will drive it to one of the festival of lights and put the top down and enjoy the ride with a hot drink. I do not operate the roof to exercise it no need to do so.

 

The previous owner had the green shower mid 2010. Repaired by the dealer under warrantee - I have the invoice. I bought the car from the dealer later in 2010. Read about the green shower issue and installed the pressure relief valve.

I figure it will increase the duration of time between green showers. I figure if I own the car long enough it will happen again. I was a little gun shy about lowering the top for a while. It was like - "look out below".

I am a convertible guy. I decided if I could not lower the top when I wanted, I did not want the car. I love the car. Now I use the top when I want it down. If I get the green shower - screw it. I will get it fixed. Part of repair and maintenance.

Jack

 

I replaced my hose shortly after we got the car. Not knowing how to do it and finding little to no information on how to do it I ended up making the first procedure on how to replace the hose. About 6 months after my hose replacement and much discussion on line I elected to go on a mission to see why and what could be done to prevent the failures. Once the pressure was identified the pressure relief valve was developed and I installed the second one about a year and a half after I installed my new hose. My wife and I do not hesitate to operate the roof, we know it MAY fail because of the exposure to the excessive pressure then but we are not going to let this stand in the way of enjoying the car.