I'm working on a 2005 xk8. The LR hose had failed at the pump and there were signs of the green shower at the top latch. I replaced the LR hose with one from Cabriolet Hydraulics. Prior to refilling the pump, the top was fairly easy to close manually. After filling the pump, it was possible to close the top but it sounded like the pump was straining with the effort. Also, fluid started leaking from the latch, but the roof did close. I put the top down and opened the petcock valve in the pump. Trying to raise the top manually now would have required some assistance. I disconnected the hoses at the pump and was now able to raise the top. This expelled some fluid in the process. Could this behavior be a sign there is something amiss with one of the hydraulic rams?

 

That is indeed a possibility. The general consensus seems to be that when you have to replace your hoses, it is also wise to have your rams refurbished....

 

When the top is being raised, both ram and latch hydraulic circuits are pressurized. A leak in either circuit will lower the amount of pressure the pump can create. So the leak at the latch you mentioned would certainly make it more difficult or impossible for the pump to raise the top. In other words, a leak at the latch can make it appear that there is trouble in the ram circuit.

 

Yes, that would make sense, except that it does not explain being unable to raise the top manually with the petcock open. It's like the top is stuck and can only be raised once the hoses are disconnected.

 

I agree. With the petcock open the hydraulics should not be in play. So if it's unduly hard to raise the top manually (it's sort of heavy) I think the possibilities are then a collapsed hose (unlikely) or some sort of mechanical problem with a ram or with the folding frame of the top.

Take a look at the "manual latch" link in my sig line below. This can be useful in troubleshooting. With it, you can isolate the ram circuit from the latch circuit and so more reliably interpret symptoms when there is trouble raising or lowering the top.

 

Thanks, Dennis07, that's good advice. At least I could cap off the latch hoses as a simple temporary fix.