Anybody have experience of the hydraulic operation of the roof

[A1wil]

Hi guys
Sorry it's another roof problem, this is what I know.

Roof motor was refurbished 2 years ago and relocated.

Roof started to stop opening, give it a little help just above my head and it takes over , when you take your finger off the button the roof will fall down under its own weight, I'm I right in saying it shouldn't do that the hydraulic fluid should hold the roof in place?

I tried swapping the lines and reversed the +/- , the roof then opens fine but struggles to close. At this point I sent the motor including the hydraulic pump on top, to be checked and overhauled .

When I put it back together the symptoms are still the same. I have oiled up all the hinges and cycled it lots of times to make sure any air would be expelled .

I'm all out ideas ??????...........

 

[Sidewaze Samm]

Sorry, don't know much about it - but I do know that often there's not enough fluid in the reservoir. Have you checked the level?

 

[Number5]

Hi
Firstly rule out fluid loss, that could indicate a leak. If the reservoir is staying topped up that's good news.
Secondly, if the roof will work fine in one direction, and then when you swap the lines and +/- cables on the motor over it reverses the problem to the opposite direction, this strongly suggests that your issue lies not in the motor, but in the pump.

I have seen many pumps that are weak on one side and will go up or down fine, but not both ways, and often do this switch as part of my testing. I've also heard of pumps being sent for a recondition and come back exactly the same.

If I were you, i would temporarily leave it so that the strong side closes the roof. That way you can always close it quickly in the rain or secure the car effectively. Also opening the roof is gravity assisted and easy to do manually, whereas pulling the roof out of the boot is a diffiicult task single handed.

Once the current COVID lockdown is lifted, I'd be happy to look at it for you and even try a spare pump on it to prove everything else is ok. (I'm in Bristol)
Alan