For starters let's forget about the hydraulic hose issue for argument's sake. What I am wondering is what is the recommended way to use the top. For example, the weather here in SoCal can be great convertible weather for weeks on end. Is there harm in keeping the top in the open position for weeks on end, or do owners close it up at night and then open again the next day?

What about the same question but now considering the hydraulic hose issue? I had my hoses replaced a few months ago with (hopefully) better ones.

So what are the + and - of keeping the top open for extended periods versus opening and closing every day?

Thanks,

Doug

 

I leave mine open for weeks at a time and use a dustcover. Never had any problems. If it were a vinyl top, I would keep the top closed whenever I wasn't using it as vinyl will shrink. My top looks brand new and does not have the "marks" as some report. I think flexing the canvas over and over will wear it out faster and I save wear and tear on the hydraulics . This is my opinion and I have heard others voice just the opposite, so you will have to think about it yourself and do what you think best.

 

My top already has very minor chafes, most on the driver's side (here that is the left side). The only other thing I noticed is after leaving it open for several days, upon closing the headliner inside is a bit wrinkled/creased but that goes away after an hour or so.

Doug

 

- you get more dust on the dash
- your fluid will jellyize faster if not 'moving' in the lines

+ you won't hit your head getting in and out of the car

I had a hard time of thinking of many 'significant' ad/disadvantages to leaving the top down.

 

The only negative I thought might apply was creases getting "set" into the fabric if the top was kept opened for a really long time. The car is in the garage at home at night and also in a garage during the day at work so there is not too much dust. Nevertheless, I suspect that it is good practice to close it overnight every several days and then re-open the next day so keep creases from setting and to work the fluid.

Doug

 

I seem to recall reading either here or another Jaguar forum where someone contacted top manufacturers who agreed leaving the top down should cause no damage. To further test this he left the top down over the course of, I believe, a year, with no ill effects (no permanent wrinkles, etc.) I'll see if I can find the source directly.

 

I have a climate controlled garage at home and I'm under a covered garage at work so I often will go 6 weeks or so with the top down.

It's a 2K XK8, so it's had time to show problems with the extended periods of being left down. Never had any issues with hoses, hydraulics or permanent crease marks.

 

Well then, let me ask this, do any of you have staining in the folds of your headliner?

When I bought my 2001, I saw what looked like rust stains where the folds would be when the top is down, in the headliner. I did not tear the headliner out, but could see between the fastening points that the scissor assembly is not showing any rust. I discovered that the headliner has a backing (like a thin foam rubber) that is that rust color (I'm sure it has darkened to this rust color over the last 8 years) and it appears to be degrading and "bleeding" through to the beige inside. When I touch it it has a bit of a tacky feel. I haven't tried to clean it yet because I'm afraid of setting the stain. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this experience and what have you done?

 

Jaguar recommends methylated spirits to clean the headliner. For you colonials that is rubbing alcohol. Works well on the yellow/rust stains and overall as well. I sprayed with a used spray bottle, wiped it in lightly and it evaporated quickly taking the stain/dirt with it.

 

Thanks for the advice. I will try it.

 

Wow, that worked really well. Thanks again!