Soooo....quick history....probably about 8-9 yrs ago had the top hydraulic lines replaced by a dealer. Took three returns to get one joint to stop leaking, but good after that. About maybe five years ago I had to add some fluid...thought perhaps the dealership just did not add enough when they did the repair. But today I had to add quite a bit of fluid....so the fluid is going somewhere. Not coming out of the latch....have not found any puddles under the car anywhere (except for power steering fluid....known leak)....so where should I begin looking???
Do I need to remove the rear seat and right panel?

Appreciate any insight.....

Thanks in advance.

 

As the overhead latch should be ok, you’re right to go look at the trunk first, at the pump’s hydraulic connections.

after that you’ll need to check the rams behind the rear quarter panels.


Here’s what you may see. Stains under rear seats

 

Good information.
The bad thing is that all these pictures seem to have no frame of reference..

Please use the applicable internet tools to point out what you are talking about.

 

Jestocost,

See pic below where I've circled the offending leak, on my 1999 XK8 from the LHS, seeping below the rear seat. The hydraulic cylinder rams are located behind the rear quarter panels (behind the music speakers).



The quarter panels need to come out to access the hydraulic cylinder rams.
The previous picture is a view behind the RHS quarter panel, with the music speaker mount moved out of the way. Below I've labelled the cylinder ram for clarity.

Please note that at this location the bottom connection here seems to vary from the usual hex screw to a clip on fitting. Be sure what you have before ordering.

 

Oh bother!....the picture above is what I am expecting to find as well.....not looking forward to this at all.....what a mess!!!

Thanks for the insight into my future.....

 

Did this job along with replacing the 4 hoses from pump to the 2 hydraulic rams last month. Not terribly difficult, just have to take out rear seat bottom, rear seat back, then speaker covers and speaker boxes to get to the cylinders.

I sent my cylinders to Top Hydraulics in Oregon for a rebuild. They did great work and same day turn around. Also bought replacement hoses from them.

Kevin

 

Lannyl81,

It’s not too bad a job. I did it recently in about 4 hours. See thread below.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...cement-215464/

The key Tip I have is to replace the hoses one at a time as not to confuse what connects to what as the hoses are all different lengths. Plus I duct taped colour coded the ends too.

 

Good to read not "to bad" of a job. Reading through the posting you did, thank you for that too.
Especially good to read about a source to send the cylinders to for rebuild and for hoses.
Timing is terrible of course, Spring is here and is a wonderful time for top down driving....oh well....such is life.

I need to flush the trans fluid as well and change-out the rear camber shims....LOTS of XK8 quality time ahead for me.

Well guess I had better get off the computer and get out to the garage and get started.

Later,