Roof not working - roof motor changed. Stops halfway

[enuff_zed]

Just to confirm; when you changed the motor, you wrote 'new ZHM oil'.
Really stupid question no doubt, but did you put the right amount in?

[colb]

Picture posted looks like the reservoir is half full judging by the shadow line, it should be around half full so there is room for the fluid in the rams and lines have room when it circulates. Just check there is enough fluid in there and raise and lower manually a few times to purge any air out of the lines. Once thqats done see how it performs under power again. If its still no better then pump will look like it needs replacing. Pelican Parts how to here, read through the posts to see what problems others have had https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticl ... le_Top.htm

[Strayker270]

Thanks for the replies, very much appreciated.

Yesterday I got a new pump with new motor. Installed it today just about a half an hour ago and it's still same. So apparently it is not pump fault. Roof behave same way like on the video.

What else i can check? Hinges? Again hoses? Maybe some of the electric cables? Maybe I'm missing something? Any idea?
Recently I've installed RCH+ module with those supplied connectors but roof was operating normally.

[enuff_zed]

Recently I've installed RCH+ module with those supplied connectors but roof was operating normally.

Did the roof start messing about after that was fitted then?
Surely the best thing to do is disconnect that and try again. Just in case that has introduced a problem.

[colb]

Certainly pull the RCH & module out and see if that restores it to correct opening, too much a coincidence to ignore that as a possible cause.

[ph001]

It doesn't stack up to an RCH related issue though - the pump is still clearly running when the roof is halfway up and continues running with no further roof movement. Ultimately that can only be no hydraulic pressure in the rams for some obscure reason. Got me stumped.

Maybe some kind of airlock somewhere??? Kinked hose?? I appreciate that the system is supposed to self bleed when you open and close it a few times but maybe it's not for some reason.

[Smartbear]

I’m thinking slave cylinders (rams) on the roof mechanism could be letting by?
Rob

[Strayker270]

Just to confirm; when you changed the motor, you wrote 'new ZHM oil'.
Really stupid question no doubt, but did you put the right amount in?

Yes. I've topped up several times (3-4 times) until the hydraulic fluid was stopped being taken from the reservoir.

Maybe some kind of airlock somewhere??? Kinked hose?? I appreciate that the system is supposed to self bleed when you open and close it a few times but maybe it's not for some reason.

Checked and didn't noticed any kinked hoses.
Pump should have enough power to force the hydraulic fluid thru the hoses into the hinges but the airlock seems likely. Any idea how to check it? Maybe try to unhook hoses on the hinges? Tought job to do tbh

I’m thinking slave cylinders (rams) on the roof mechanism could be letting by?
Rob

You talking about those inside hinges?
Does this mean i have to remove the whole roof completely??

[Smartbear]

Just to confirm; when you changed the motor, you wrote 'new ZHM oil'.
Really stupid question no doubt, but did you put the right amount in?

Yes. I've topped up several times (3-4 times) until the hydraulic fluid was stopped being taken from the reservoir.

Maybe some kind of airlock somewhere??? Kinked hose?? I appreciate that the system is supposed to self bleed when you open and close it a few times but maybe it's not for some reason.

Checked and didn't noticed any kinked hoses.
Pump should have enough power to force the hydraulic fluid thru the hoses into the hinges but the airlock seems likely. Any idea how to check it? Maybe try to unhook hoses on the hinges? Tought job to do tbh

I’m thinking slave cylinders (rams) on the roof mechanism could be letting by?
Rob

You talking about those inside hinges?
Does this mean i have to remove the whole roof completely??

If they’re the root cause, yes. There’s people on here who know more about the roof mechanism then me, so I’d wait for more ideas before you dive in on my suggestion
Rob

[ph001]

Have a look at this video around 5:10. The guy talks about replacing the seals on the hydraulic rams.... I wonder if this could be your problem?

https://youtu.be/y3dTm8iL5OQ

[Strayker270]

Have a look at this video around 5:10. The guy talks about replacing the seals on the hydraulic rams.... I wonder if this could be your problem?

https://youtu.be/y3dTm8iL5OQ

He's just saying that there is a company that can change the seals on both rams for $400.00


So....
Today I took the roof completely off the Z. Alone. It turns out that you can remove soft top just by yourself. Most difficult part of the whole process was to put it back.
Checked the hinges, no leaks. Took the hoses off and all 4 had hydraulic fluid inside.
Roof still behave same. It's going up and suddenly just like someone released the pressure and roof going down with gravity.
I think I'm going to leave it as it is becaouse I don't have any more ideas what to do . Some pictures from today.

[ph001]

I think it could be the seals inside those black hydraulic rams in your pic.

[Davz]

I think it could be the seals inside those black hydraulic rams in your pic.

If the seals had gone there would be hydraulic fluid leaking but they look dry. If it wasn't for lockdown you could have taken them for testing.

[enuff_zed]

I think it could be the seals inside those black hydraulic rams in your pic.

If the seals had gone there would be hydraulic fluid leaking but they look dry. If it wasn't for lockdown you could have taken them for testing.

No I think you're missing the point. The internal seal that separates the two sides of the piston may have failed. So the correct amount of fluid is still present, but when the going gets tough it sneaks round to the other side of the piston without moving it.

[ph001]

^^^^^this