Convertible Top Pump Hydraulic Fluid seems to be leaking somewhere

[T1LT]

Hey Everyone. I got an 2008 E85 last summer. It was great for a while, but then the top stopped working. After a lot of research here and elsewhere, I was able to successfully get a new pump (kept the existing motor) installed and moved into the trunk. I used the method of going in through the trunk rather than removing the top. I got it all working once more and was in bliss again. But, after a few weeks, the top stopped working again. I had remembered reading that the pipes may have gotten air in them and after running the top, the fluid could drain to fill the pipes and then stop working. I added more hydraulic fluid and it worked again...for one or two cycles. So, I added more fluid. At one point, I added fluid and just sat in the car and put the top up and down about 8 times to make sure the lines should be fully cleared of any air. That worked fine. But a few days later, it stopped working again. Now, if I add more fluid and put the top down, it won't go back up. I check and the fluid level has declined a decent amount. However, I can't see where the fluid is even going. There is nothing draining from the car and I can't use the top because it won't work longer than one trip open but not back closed.

I'm a total noob to all of this and car maintenance in general. I know just enough to get myself into these kinds of problems and feel like I can and should take care of things myself

Any thoughts, help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Where is the fluid going? Is there simple things I can do to try to get it working? Is there an actual leak somewhere that I need to track down and how? Or, is it something simpler like just filling the fluid up to the very top (I fill it up to about halfway full in the white semi-transparent canister at the top of the pump/motor? Any diagnostics or other things I can try?

Hoping you all can help me here. Would love to get some enjoyment out of it during these last couple months of summer.

Cheers all!

 

[enuff_zed]

Once it has bled the air out there is no reason the level should drop again.
Obviously check all round the pump to be sure it's not leaking at the unions etc.
You did make sure there was an o-ring seal between the pump and the motor?
If that's all dry then there is a chance one of the hydraulic pipes is leaking at the ram.
The favourite is the lower one on the left side as that may have sat in the same water that the pump did for a long while and corroded the connection.
See if you can get your hand back up into the well on that side and see if there's any oily residue in the bottom.

Another test is whether you can move the roof manually without having to pull the red handle. Try it gently, if you can move it by hand then the fluid must be escaping somewhere and there's a good chance you'll hear it hissing out.

 

[Jas- USA]

Since your topping off the hydraulic fluid, I believe you relocated the motor/pump to the trunk/boot. So you'd notice if the pump/motor and hydraulic line fittings were leaking/seeping fluid since these are now in a visible area in the trunk/boot.

The hydraulic lines run into hinge lifters (called a ram in the UK) on each side of the top. There are two hydraulic lines for each hinge lifter.
Your leak is either a broken line/fitting or the bottom rubber seal inside of one of the hinge lifters has failed.

Either failure requires the top to be removed to truly trouble shoot this problem. I noticed you referred to yourself as a noob on car repairs. If your located in the UK you might be able to obtained hands on help from other UK forum members. Otherwise, you might considered operating the top manually and simply enjoying the car.

 

[enuff_zed]

If your located in the UK you might be able to obtained hands on help from other UK forum members.

I had pre-supposed [ref]T1LT[/ref] was US based going by the use of trunk rather than boot?
If I'm wrong, then happy to help.
If I'm right, then happy to help. Simply post a return flight ticket to me......................