I am brand new on this forum. Monday I bought my dream car - a 2004 XK8 Convertible. This morning when I came out in the garage there was oil on the floor behind the right rear wheel.
I am at point zero on the Jaguar learning curve and need input!! I have removed the rear trunk panels and can see the tank - it is slightly over filled.
Are there any common places for leaks back there??? Guess I need to pull the CD Changer and GPS DVD stuff.
Appreciate any inputs!!
Nalle

 

If there as oil on the floor in front of the rear wheel I would suspect the ram cylinder of leaking. The fact that the tank appears to be overfilled makes me think the previous owner was putting fluid into the tank and spilled some. If you lowered and raised the top it may be a leaking hose. If it were mine I would exercise the top a couple of times and see if more fluid comes out before taking anything apart.

Please visit the new member area and introduce yourself. Link:New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

 

Welcome to the forum nalle.
Don't forget your intro in the new members section.
You most likely have a leaking lift cylinder. A search of the forums will get you a lot of info.
It's possible to have the cylinders rebuilt fairly reasonably.

 

So, I found the leak, Bottom hose on side toward the trunk. Questions now are.....

Where does it go??
Is this the famous "green shower" hose.
Can It be spliced or can one re-crimp (the leak is at the crimp)
I have read about a pressure reducer - should that be installed while I have it open????

What ever I do, it has to be right. No cheating or half measures.

Any input is much appreciated.

Nalle

 

Yessir, that is a latch hose.
I've never seen a report of a successful repair of the hose. You need to think about replacing the hose pair that goes to the latch.
See "manual latch" link in my sig. line below for a way to cap the hose ports on the pump so you can continue to operate the top until you're able to get the hoses replaced.

Good luck.

 

Dennis,
Are there better quality hoses available today or is Jag Original the only option???

Nalle

 

Nallie, there's a private entity many of us use. Stand by while I look it up for you.

john

 

The are called Top Hydraulics.

john

 

John,
Thanks for info. Will check it out. Just watched a pile of YouTube videos of the project. Does not look like a lot of fun.
To be positive, might be a good time for new fabric on a pillars and window header.

Nalle

 

So, new hoses on order. Will start removal of old hoses tomorrow morning. General, maybe dumb, question. Do you always just remove the ground electrical on Jags??? Having grown up with Lucas electric in the 50's and early 60's, I am always careful with what and how to isolate and disconnect. Just set off the burglar alarm this morning opening the trunk with a key. Don't know why.

Nalle

 

Hi.

Don't pull out the old hoses before you get the new. Top Hydraulics will give you a smart fitting so you can pull in the new hoses by pulling out the old.
You can start by removing drivers seat and lift the carpet.

Always disconnect battery when working on any electrics. Radio code is normally not needed on US cars to get radio going again.

Opening the trunk with the key on a locked car will not disable the alarm, so this is normal behavior.

 

Hi, sorry to take so long to reply. I put it down to time difference.

So you have a leaking hose. Usually they happen at the other end! That is to say at the front of the car. Still the replacement procedure is the same. I am putting you a link link below as a "How to / what I did" 99% of it is relevant though! Enjoy and I hope you find it useful. Ohh one last thing. Dont use genuine Jaguar hoses. Try aftermarket ones. Better made. Stronger and cheaper.

Here you go. Green Shower

 

Oyster,
Thanks for great info. Will do all preparatory work then this week end while waiting for new hoses from Top Hydraulics. Bought new liner fabric for A Pillar and Top Liner. Might as well use the extra time to re-cover.
Do you pull lines from front or back?? Also are there special procedure for bleeding the system?? Man, I have so much to learn here.

Nalle

 

frankc

Awesome instructions!! Thanks a load for the link. Luckily my leak was at the pump end and I never had to experience the "Green Shower"

Nalle

 

Hi again.
Just follow Franck's excellent instructions.
With the small coupling piece you get from Top Hydraulics it is easier to splice new and old hose temporarily to pull them through. You don't need any tape.
One hose at a time. If you mix them up, your roof won't work.
If you need any refill (almost invisible markings on the reservoir) the fluid is called Pentosin CHF 11S.

Lots of work, but not really difficult.

 

If you identified a leak at the wheel well then you should also check the hoses going to your rams/lifts when you have the back seat out. I am attaching a few links that you should see to better understand what you are dealing with.

Link hydraulic evaluation JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

Link to replacing roof latch hoses JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

Link to Top Hydraulics JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

As for bleeding the system it is a self bleeding. After you replace the hoses fill your tank to the top embossed line then operate the roof. The roof may be a little slow and it may stall at that time recheck the tank and then refill again.

 

Wayne (cjd777) and I wrote a how-to document on replacing the rear hoses and rams after doing his 2000 XK8's back in March/April 2015. Search this forum using "2000 XK8 ragtop rear hoses and rams replacement" as your search phrase and it should pop right up for you. Good luck and keep us posted on how your repair efforts turn out....

 

Gus,
Thanks for the input and links. Since I got everything out today, now just waiting for new hoses to arrive Monday, I will spend the weekend checking for any other leaks. Also picked up headliner fabric and will redo the A-Pillars and Window Header while I wait.
Franks write up and pictures sure was a blessing. Would have taken twice as long without it, specially since one has to be careful not to mess up.

Nalle

 

Just a short note to let you all know how my "hose adventure" turned out.... Ordered new hoses from Top Hydraulics on Thursday night. They shipped on Friday and I was expecting delivery sometime on Monday.
So, I spent the weekend putting new liner fabric on the A pillars and the top window header. On Sunday noon, there I am with 3M 77 glue all over my hands, and USPS shows up with my new hoses.
Pressure is on. The Top Hydraulics pull through adapter worked great and I had the new hoses in before dark. Looked good even though I might have used a few less tie-wraps than original.
Early start on Monday morning and by lunch time it was all back together.
Top is working great and no leaks. The new A pillars and Top head liner came out just fine. Happy to get rid of the old sagging fabric.

Thanks to all who gave great support and specially Frank for his detailed write up.

Now, if I could only find the on/off button they talk about in the manual..........

 

Well done!

Which button are you looking for?