Took the Jaguar in about the top (1997 XK8). They pointed out to me that the hydraulic pump was out of fluid and that there has to be a leak somewhere. Told me they would have to rip the car apart to find it. Any suggestions as to where the leak could be coming from? Has anyone else had experience with this issue?

Edit: Top opens and closes but when it closes I have to manually latch it, it doesn't close fully for some reason

 

Very likely one or both of the hydraulic rams that raise the top are leaking. Check for fluid just forward of the rear wheels.

Removing the rear seat to gain access hardly fits the description of tear the car apart. Do a search for instructions.

Our 97 model has different hoses than later models, and the hoses are not likely to fail. But the rams and latch at the center of the windshield can still leak.

Top Hydraulics will rebuild these items better than new.

 

Most of the time any hydraulic leak related to the roof operation are at the roof latch, roof lift rams and at the pump. Look in the aft area of your rear wheel well and if you see a moist area it is possible that the lift rams/hoses are leaking. The other area is in the header where you see your roof latch, if you are in the car the latch ram is to the left on the latch most leaks are identified by fluid leaking into the light area below the latch.

I should note that the level in the pump tank will go down a little over time because of leaking around the ram seals but nothing to be alarmed about. Because your car is a 1997 xk8 you may have the first generation hoses that are rated well above the pressure that the pumps put out. The only way to know for sure is to read the information on the hose. I would also see if the fluid in the tank is brown or green, green is good. I will provide a link for additional information for you to read.

Link JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

 

Hi,
I am fixing leaks in both hood lift rams on my MY 2000 XK8. I could buy the right-hand one as a new item (or perhaps professionally rebuilt). I now intend to replace it and want to send it away for rebuild to fix the leak. But can it be installed in the left-hand position?

The right-hand one has the microswitches in it. But is there some other difference compared to the left-hand one that will prevent using it as a left-hand ram?

Both top latch hoses have leaked badly so I have replaced them. The latch seems OK, so now it seems that just the rams need fixing.