Hello, all. My 1998 XK8 convertible top stopped working. I read through relevant posts here, and I believe the problems may be (1) the hydraulic fluid is somewhat low and/or (2) the line/hose that the fluid travels through may be clogged and/or leaking. The top is stuck in "open" position. A friend (with some knowledge of car repairs, albeit not Jags and not convertible tops) and I tried to close the top manually, and although we managed to get the top up (with some difficulty), we were not able to get it latched/locked.

I will NOT be able to or want to fixing this problem myself. I am wondering if most convertible top opening mechanisms are similarly designed so that any good mechanic could readily fix my top, or whether I need to take it to a shop that specializes in (i.e., works on a lot of) Jags. I ask because these specialists, here in the San Francisco Bay Area, are charging $184 to $187 per hour. I don't know what other mechanics around here are charging, but I am pretty confident that their hourly rates are significantly lower than that.

So, should I take my Jag to a "$pecialist" or would any good mechanic be expected to know how to timely fix the top?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

Sorry to hear about your convertible top troubles. It’s actually a simple hydraulic mechanic system but with the complication of some electrical controls. Normal in luxury cars of that era.

If you’re handy with a wrench it is possible to home DIY a flush to clear out any clogged arteries and put in new fluid. System runs at very high pressures in small bore pipes though.

But if you are taking to a garage, check whether they are used to hydraulics. They may have to dismantle the top of the windscreen area to get at your latch problem area too.

 

A few things I would check first that don't involve repairing the hydraulics - since you show the level is low - add fluid, make sure petcock is closed and try to cycle top.

can you hear the pump run when the button is pressed? Check fuse and replace if necessary

Look for indications of leaks - at the pump connections, in front of the rear wheels if rams are leaking and at the overhead area near latch.

 

I know the upholstery and auto glass place near me that does Convertbie top replacement also does hydraulics for those systems regardless if it is for a Mercedes SL with the retractable hardtop or a hydraulic soft top on Jaguar, I've even seen them doing Lincoln Continental Converrtible tops too and that's usually scary to shops.

Check to see if there are any of those type convertible top shops near you.

 

If you need to replace your lines make sure you look at my post on hydraulic line costs.

 

Dear all: Thank you for your replies. I have looked at all posts I could rind pertaining to my problem. I just don't feel competent to try to fix the car myself. I just wanted to know if it would be likely that a "regular" mechanic, not a Jag specialist, likely would know how to fix the top. I'll be sure to ASK about such experience, but I don't know that I'll get an honest answer.

 

In Bahrain, there’s a wide range of good/bad “quality” mechanics as labour here is dirt cheap. If you find a good one his referrals are key. Just a few common sense pointers on checking out a new garage. Sorry if I’m teaching you “to suck eggs.”

How busy is the garage/size? Do they have a convertible they are currently working on? What spare parts do they carry?

Ask some questions - subject matter similar to the suggestions above. See if they give the same answers above. You really don’t want to pay $200 for just a fuse.

Biggest risk/problem, if the mechanic is unfamiliar with Jags, is that they dismantle the car, and then you’re waiting weeks until they order spare parts and then wait until delivery.

ie - a while ago ago we had a post from a “damsel in distress” where her mechanic tore down the Jag engine without knowing the AJ-V8 engine has no TDC timing marks. The mechanic didn’t have the right tools to proceed. She wasn’t happy!

Good luck and let us know if you find a good one. It may help another forum member in the future with the same problem.

 

where are you located. i am in san jose and have done it all

 

I know the interior and convertible top place I mentioned along with the auto upholstery places I refer people to have portfolio books of before and after of jobs. It's super common to have someone ask to see their work; and the good ones will definitely be able to, AND WANT TO, show off their stuff! They may have some stuff in process at the moment too that you can walk around and look at.

I do my own auto upholstery but I hate it and refer people to a place that does outstanding work; he even does a car club event at his shop once a month for everyone, but also gives priority parking to cars he's worked on as a way to show his stuff. It's also near once of the best backroads in the area and a nice restaurant so it's hardly twisting anyone's arm to attend.

 

Let me see if I can help.

First look for evidence of fluid leaking and you will know it when you see it. Look at the header (the latch area) if no leaks then look to the forward side of both of your wheel wells from outside of the car. If you see a moist area in the wheel well forward of the tire then your hoses to the lift or the lift are leaking. Last check the pump tank and see if the fluid in it is between the embossed lines on the tank. If it is low refill to the top embossed line.

Now to get the top closed. On the pump located in the right rear fender well open the petcock (counter clock wise) on the pump this will let you operate the roof and latch freely. Pull the top closed, open the roof latch with the allen wrench that is mounted at the pump and operate it to grab the roof and close it. Now that the roof is closed you will need to close the rear quarter windows.

The rear windows will not operate electrically until the switch that is internal to the right rear ram/lift is satisfied so you will need to force it to the full extended position and to do this you will need to manually push both rams/lifts up. The attached photo shows how to push down on the ram open them so you want to move it in the opposite direction of the arrows to closeh.

Link http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Auto...oof%20Rams.jpg

Link JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

Link JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

If the fluid level was low and you have refilled it you can try to operate the roof open after the roof is up and latch closed. One thing to keep in mind this car can get confused when you try to do things out of sequence so a hard reset may be required but give it a try. Remember that if you found a leak you should get it fixed. I should note that the roof may stall in the operation so keep the open button pushed until the operation is complete.

 

I am on the Peninsula, near San Mateo.

 

Thanks, Gus. The latch problem was this: It was very difficult for us even to pull the top up (lots of resistance). When we did, it didn't QUITE align with the slots into which the hardware was supposed to go, to enable latching. We were very close but just could not align it. The motor tries to open/close the top, but nothing happens. As for adding hydraulic fluid, it looked to me and my friend to be a complicated task, i.e., if one must remove the part that shows the fluid level, it looked very complicated. If not, we didn't know where to put in fluid. All the rest about the pump, etc., is just beyond me. Wish I'd taken auto shop years ago!

 

Gus, thanks for all the tips. Update: I found someone who was able, at least, to help me put the top up manually! (Important, as I need to drive ~120 miles tomorrow and 120 miles on Monday). I also got a lead to someone who might be able to repair the hydraulics. Meanwhile, as you said, the rear windows are stuck open, and your diagram confuses Can you tell me where the rams and related parts (those pictured) are located on the car? Also, although I know where the hydraulic pump (or at least the vessel holding the fluid) is, I don't know where the valve is. Could you please tell me? Thank you (again) in advance!

 

If you look at the third link I provided you can see how to refill the tank.

As for the linkage for the rams they are located between the roof and the roof liner behind both quarter windows.

 

you can make window go up by jumping a ground wire
I have a few hours this afternoon if you want to come down here

 

@Steve Paa: 'That's very kind of you! But I am out of town, at the Northern end of Sonoma County on the coast. I drove here with the back windows open and will be driving back tomorrow afternoon, in the same condition. I think I need to get the hydraulics fixed, in which case, presumably the windows would be fixed too. If you think you can help with the hydraulic problem, let's touch base again after I return. Thanks again.

 

I ham replacing some tie rods on mine on Tuesday. If you are free come down before noon. send me pm

 

Thanks! I'll let you know (via PM .

 

are your side windows 1 touch set? if theyre not that is the most common reason the rear windows wont go up. reset both front windows by going up and down and holding for a few seconds till you hear the soft click of the door module. the windows should go up when you press and hold the top switch to close if you have the top fully closed manually

 

I did reset my front windows. The rear ones don't go up when the roof button is pushed, for reasons explained above (by Gus, I believe).