Hello, my name is Dave and I'm a toppoholic. Just got into my first Jag (about time!) and I've been scouring this forum, good job y'al! Trying my best to avoid a green shower and decided to forgo the resistor method and have a pressure relief valve arriving today! Hat tip to Gus.

Question: underneath the pump I have a small amount of what I believe is hydraulic fluid, just a coating, not even enough to see what color it is and it appears that the hoses are also just slightly wet, for lack of better words. And the plastic sheathing is starting to flake off. They are wicked brittle and crumble. Is this indicative of the hoses starting to fail? Or perhaps the seals are getting disfigured and slightly leaking due to extreme pressure at the end of the cycle?

Any and all input is greatly appreciated.

Cheers

 

On my 2001 the hoses by the pump appear to be in perfect condition and are bone dry. If I were you I would examine the hoses at the roof latch end and if in the same condition, change them before they inevitably leak.

The pressure relief valve won't protect you from a hose that has already failed.

 

Your hoses are indeed failing. When we replaced Wayne's (cjd777) four rear hoses back in March/April, the plastic sheathing crumbled into a thousand pieces as we removed the old hoses from the car. His old hoses had been leaking at the rams for quite some time. He has a 2000 XK8....

Be sure to order the much better aftermarket hoses when you do the replacement job. Wayne went with the hoses from Top Hydraulics and had them refurbish his rams as well. He has been extremely happy with the results....

Good luck and keep us posted....

 

Dave,

Whether it's to change hoses or to install a valve, you'll be removing the pump from its mountings. Be aware of one pitfall that has gotten more than a few guys here ...

The electrical connectors on the solenoid valves (on top of the pump) are fragile and just about irreplaceable. Take special care not to damage them as you're working in there.

 

@&$!?? It! Dennis, I hear you and thank you. The hoses are wet down at the pump. Looks like I need to tear into the header and check the Rams....