Hello everyone. I know this topic has been asked and answered before. I am skeptical when it comes to buying some stuff online.

My car started leaking at the top latch and spilling everywhere about a couple weeks ago. Taking it apart I see that the hose has come off the crimp looks like it is all torn apart. Pictures provided.

Reading jagrepair.com I feel I can replace it myself. Going to the dealer is too much work. I always can find time to do the repair even if it takes me a while. I found three solutions but I am worried if I need additional parts and if these sites are trusted (if someone has purchased from them).

Site 1 - Jaguar Top Repair | Convertible Jaguar Hydraulic Hose Repair and Replacement in Atlanta, GA. | Call 404-759-6600 (I saw a thread that someone did purchase but wondering if they needed to get additional things or the hoses fit snug on the valve and if it has survived for them so far.)

Site 2 - JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource (the hoses listed on the site with contact information on the bottom. Is it up to date? Can I still purchase what is in the pictures from Chic at Colliflower inc and would all I need to do is unscrew the union from the valve, put new one on with from the kit?)

Site 3 - Jaguar Convertible Top Hydraulic System Rebuild/Upgrade Service - Top Hydraulics, Inc (recommend by jagrepair.com but the price is really high for my budget at the moment but will consider if the other two sites are a bust).

If any insight can be given. I did find a store that sells hydraulic hoses and o-ring crimps locally but I haven't given them a call yet.

 

I highly recommend the Colliflower hose kit. Chic and Co. are great to deal with, and the kit is beautifully (over)made. Do it, and forget about it for the life of the car. I did it last spring, and the forum guidance is invaluable.

 

I used Cabriolet Hydraulics out of Bradenton Fla for my hoses, others have used Top Hydraulics - both good quality parts.

The listing for Top Hydraulics is for a hydraulic system rebuild/upgrade.

If the lift cylinders and pump seem to be working, then all you would need are the hoses. A complete set of hoses runs $600 from either Cabriolet or Top Hydraulics. Well worth the peace of mind

 

I've no personal experience but members have used all three resources with good results.

 

I'm very pleased with Jaguar Top Repair in Atlanta. Marvin is putting out a quality product. No regrets, and my friend and I did it in 6.7 hours/4 beers ea. This was for the two top latch hoses. Bob

 

Is there a way to test the top latch valve while it is disconnected from the hoses/pump to test it?

I am sure the rear/rams work fine. This all unfortunately happened quickly. I pressed the button to take the roof down. It started to go but didn't settle down (felt like that to me) and then the fluid. The latch was working to release the lock.

Thanks.

 

By "top latch valve" do you mean the moving bits up above the windshield that cause the latch claw to go up and down?

You might inspect it for any signs of leakage (if there isn't fluid all over it from the busted hose) but beyond that I'd say put things back together and then inspect it in operation.

Just because a hose went south (very common) doesn't mean it's likely there are other leaks up there (less common).

[edit] You could of course check it for free mechanical movement, and lubricate the moving parts while you're in there.

 

Thanks! I shall do a general inspection and for now just purchase the two hoses for the front. I shall inspect the back rams too. Will update if I have issues. Thanks for the information.

 

When the hoses were failing I did an extensive study as to why and the results were the creation of a replacement hose and that is the one from Colliflower. It was designed for the temperature and pressure. The hoses from Top Hyd. were developed with the same criteria temperature and pressure and to date both companies have a good reputation. It was identified that pressure was a major issue when we began seeing the seals push out of the latch and rams so LSI developed a pressure relief valve to eliminate the high pressure. I should mention that Top Hyd can and will rebuild your latch, rams and pump should you have a need to have that done. Now that brings me to the latch you ask about, it would be my recommendation to rebuild or replace the latch now that you have the header down. And the rest of the supporting information is on my page.

 

Hello all,

Just an update as I was finally able to replace all six hoses (just had to happen when we were in process of moving) and test the top. It works great and I would say better then before. Purchased them from Top Hydraulics.

My issue that I started noticing while testing is that there is fluid from the rams on the sides of the rear seat area. The left ram does not leak (seems the hose was bad) but the right side (passenger) is leaking. Only does it when I operate the top. It does not leak much at all but it is there.

Question: Can I take it apart myself? I know that Gus took the shaft off the top ram and noticed the o-ring problem?

I can get the o-rings of sizes but I just want to know if it is do-able. I do not want to break the ram and have to buy a new one. Plus sending it in to be rebuilt is too costly.

 

You can have the rams rebuilt by Top Hydraulics at a fraction of the price of new rams...

 

I understand I can get them rebuilt for a fraction of the price. It is costly still to me. I know the jag in general is costly. Just looking for an alternative.

I was wondering if there was a special way to remove the shaft, replace the rings and put it back together. That is if someone has tried it. It seems the leak is coming from the top of the ram most likely when the convertible top is retracted.

 

I have rebuilt a multitude of Hyd. Cylinders on heavy equipment. The o rings and packing materials are designed for the type of oil required. These o rings and packing material are designed per say jag specs, I have a leaking cylinder and will be sending it to top hydraulics. The materials will look the same but may or may not meet the requirements of the fluid. She will probably work for a period of time but in my business recall work cost twice as much. J

 

Rebuild for "fraction of the cost of new" is a stretch. Rebuild costs USD 150, and new ram costs GBP 170. A bit more, but with two-way freight and waiting time it was a no-brainer for me to get new rams. Top Hydraulics is a quality business, though - would have gone that route if I lived nearby. As it were, SNG Barratt got me the new rams superfast.

 

Thank you Hayesja8 for the 5 stars two thumbs up rating! I have attached pictures of Hayesja8's Jaguar XK8 shortly after the repair. See Below

I wish all of my customers posted their experiences with on the Jaguar Forums. Finally a few of them have posted comments about their experience with the Jaguar Green Shower Leak Repair Service.

If you own a 1997 - 2006 Jaguar XK8 or XKR have gotten the Jaguar Green Shower and in need of a quality Jaguar Green Shower Leak Repair Service, please take the time to inbox Hayesja8 and ask about his experience.

I would be happy to give you a few referrals.

Regards,

Marvin

 

Almost 7 hours and only 4 beers?...Lightweight!

 

MY RECENT EXPERIENCE WITH MARVIN JOHNSON:

If you've been the victim of the XK8/XKR Convertible Top "Green Shower," or the "Green Drip," or the "Green Rain," here's some information that I hope you will find incredibly helpful. I would have loved to have read something like this when I researched this COMMON PROBLEM.

I had the "Green Drip" experience with my 2005 Jaguar XK8 Convertible recently (November, 2014), and didn't know exactly where to turn. I read LOTS on the internet (THANKS TO THE FORUM), and spoke with about everyone I could about the problem, including my local Jaguar folks, who I like and respect A LOT. They just don't do many of these repairs, their price is expectedly high, and it is incredibly helpful to know where every clip, bolt, screw, washer, fastener, etc. is located so as not to break anything while accomplishing this MAJOR repair.
I know that it's hard to put one's trust in internet advertisements, and long-distance information, but I did serious homework and located Marvin Johnson, from Atlanta, GA, (404-759-6600) (JaguarTopRepair.com or JaguarConvertibleTopLeak.com) who manufactures the replacement lines (far superior to Jaguar's), and will travel to your location for this VERY TIME CONSUMING and intricate repair. I contacted references from Marvin's recently completed repairs, and was pleased with what I learned, as they had been.
I couldn't be more satisfied with Marvin's knowledge, carefulness, and capabilities, having watched EVERY MINUTE OF THE REPAIR. It is not an easy task, and you want a proven specialist to do this job. Marvin does these all the time.
The leaked Hydraulic fluid is very caustic, it deteriorated some of the rubber Header-Seal that runs down the A pillar, and it messed up the fabric, which can be easily replaced. There's a great YouTube from Sam on how to recover these A pillars.

I'm a retired attorney in Iowa. I would not be writing this review if I weren't convinced of Marvin's skills and knowledge. I highly recommend Marvin as a person you can trust to do the job right, to stand behind his work, and treat you fairly.
I am happy to discuss more about the "Green Shower" if you have questions, and I offer this recommendation because of my totally excellent experience.

 

If you are looking for real information on the green shower you can go to my page and read all you need or want to know about testing, repairing and replacing with reasons why. I have been reading a lot of posts on this thread and kept my distance because I am not one to sling mud.

I along with Walter spent endless days to test, evaluate and correct the problems related with the roof hydraulic system and I must tell you WE were the first. Seeing comments made by me on this forum appearing on other websites were overwhelming but I took it as a complement and moved on with little exception.

Yes I sell the LSI PRV and that is for the convenience of others. I also have hose options and ram rebuild information that I make nothing on so I am not in it for the money.

 

I don't know anything about Marvin but I do know that if this thread degenerates into a pissing contest it will be deleted in short order.