OK Good Jag people,I know the link is here somewhere,but I cant find it.
My convertible top on my 99 xk8 has stuck half way down,its been getting worse,I need to probably change the oil in it,as the old oil is probably sludge,I remember reading a while back that there is an certain oil which you can use from any auto parts co.and the link on how to drain the old and pump in the new.please help.thanks

 

You could also just be low on fluid. When you check the level, if the fluid color is green, you should be good (and it can be refilled with Pentosin CHF-11s) if is yellow, you may want to flush. Gus, or someone else should be able to tell you more.

 

Calibrit;
There was a TSB 501-33 issued which addresses the top hydraulic fluid issue. At the top of the forum with the heading - Sticky:Jaguar XK TSB's, open the thread and you will find TSB 501-33. It will outline the sticky/sluggish convertible top condition and address fluid replacement.

 

Calibrit:

In you need to pickup some Pentosin CHF-11 (used in your 99 model), I found it @ O'Reilly's Auto Parts. It's the power steering fluid used in some BMW's. Good luck!

 

Also available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Pentosin-CHF-1...sr=8-1-catcorr

 

Great thanks for all your help.You guys rock.

 

If it's "stuck" stuck, as in it is partially closed but not moving, I think you can take the trunk liner out on the right side of the trunk and simply turn the T-handle on the pump to relieve the pressure in the hydraulic system. Then you should be able to manually close and latch the top. The directions are in the owner's manual.

 

filled the resevoir up with the correct fluid $22 from Napa auto,she now closes and opens like a dream.Thanks again guys for the help.

 

The top hydraulic system is intended to be closed meaning that if you need to add fluid you have a leak. Besides the top latch, the rams seals are prone to leaks. Check the bottom of the floor pan in front of each rear tire for 'wetness'. For some strange reason the right side is reported leaking more than the left.

Consider adding one of the pressure reducing methods discussed in the FAQ Sticky above.

 

As test_point said, the system is intended not to lose hydraulic fluid. I'm starting to believe though that a small amount of evaporation and/or seepage past seals may be normal and not require any work beyond refilling the reservoir.

When I got my '01 in '06 the reservoir level was about 1/2" low. I refilled it but did nothing else. Only now, 4 years later, is it down about 1/4". Never have been able to find a leak anywhere.

I have had occasion to poke at a few convertible tops on these cars, and it seems this may be typical.

 

Yes Tom is correct in checking for leaks. He suggested checking the right rear in front of the wheel and that is one of the common areas for it to leak (Right rear lift) but that is not the only place. Do you know if the hyd hoses to the latch have been repaired or replaced? If a repair kit was installed in the hose the leak could be in the “A” pillar of the windshield near the fuse box and the other is at the latch. You can see much of this info on my page if you wish. As for the fluid it can be installed with the pump in place but if you elect to remove the pump be extremely cautious not to bend or pinch the existing hoses. If you do it may be your next leak.

I am also attaching a link for the pressure relief valve that was developed to reduce the hyd operating pressure from 1600psi to 1000psi. I hope this helps!

http://www.gusglikas.com/RoofHoseReplacement.htm
http://www.gusglikas.com/AutoRepairNewHydHose.htm
http://www.gusglikas.com/AutoRepairJ...esRelValve.htm
http://www.gusglikas.com/AutoRepairHydHose.htm
http://www.gusglikas.com/AutoRepairHydFluid.htm
http://www.gusglikas.com/AutoRepairH...lOperation.htm

 

Calibrit,

I think the dictum "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" makes good sense here. A low fluid level after many years may not necessarily indicate a problem. Topping-off and a little watchful waiting may be all that is needed, and the less we disturb the better. This has served me well in my car, and several others that I know of.

Information on the voltage-reduction method for reducing hydraulic pressure (to get out in front of potential hose failure) can be found at ...
http://www.scorekeeper.com/jaguar/jaguar01.htm

Good luck,

 

Many of us, me included, have encountered low fluid levels when buying a car that has not had proper attention. Also, the fluid level in the reservoir may go down very slowly over a period of years (in my car, ~ 1/16" per year). Question: does this necessarily mean there is a leak somewhere?

I believe it does not. At least not one large enough to require attention. It turns out that the Pentosin 11s fluid has a non-zero vapor pressure ... meaning that it will evaporate given enough time. Yes, this will be very, very slow but non-zero. Over a period of 5 or 10 years, it's probably significant.

So: some suggestions ...
- newly-acquired car: if the fluid is low, top it up and then just watch it for a while. Maybe there's a leak; maybe not. By probing around, it's possible to create one. The car (like mine) may need no further attention for a matter of years.
- ongoing: a fluid level decline of no higher than, say, 1/16" per year needs nothing more than a topping up every few years. A faster decline, probably time to look for a leak somewhere.

 

On my car, for some reason, at the end of the year two years ago, when we had one last nice day to put the top down, the electrical system had a minor slip up and the rams didn't operate at the same rate. I lost a little fluid through the seal on the passenger side ram. I topped up the fluid and installed the hydraulic pressure reducer that Gus and Walt developed. I've never had the same trouble and the fluid hasn't gone down since. I'll check it again when I pull the car from its winter hibernation, but I'm going to guess its still fine.

 

Interesting. So it sounds like a seal was defeated under unusual conditions, but then continued to work OK afterward.

I guess if someone has seen a car where the fluid level did not go down at all over, say, five years or so then my evaporation idea would be DOA.

Anyone?