Jaguar XK8 Convertible Top Repair PART1

99 XK8 Convertible Top Fluid Leak

[@jonrome2839]

Possibly the most instructional youtube video I've ever seen. I have the Green Fairy fluid starting to appear. It has almost made me keen to do the job. Almost. Unfortunately winter is coming & it might be a bit cold but I have several months so slow & sure.

[@jagvette1]

Glad it is of use to you.

[@tonybrown9875]

Ahh, convinced me to get the hardtop. Either that or an ancient convertible with a manual roof; maybe a TR6. The XK8 has quite a simple roof supposely, "easy to fix," compared to the likes of other manufacturers like Mercedes and Ferrari.

[@mistykuprevich2383]

I'm looking to get a used one but my husband is a Ford guy, so if I want a free mechanic, I need to learn more about the ease of repair or common issues. There is a used one in VA where they couldn't get the top down, so I've been studying for series. I love the interior look of the pre 2015. Any advice for this newbie?

[@jagvette1]

@@mistykuprevich2383 As with any car prior to purchase give it a thorough test make sure everything works and if it doesn’t make sure the price is adjusted accordingly not only do I have XK8 on my site but you may also wish to look at ‘to the garage’ and also if you go on Google and type in GARY Van Remortal he has created the XK8 Bible with lots of useful information. With regards to the top quite often it is the fluid that needs to be changed over time it becomes like a jelly cleaning the fluid out I used brake cleaner it’s a messy job. I’m always happy to correspond to you with problems or even chat on the phone. As Virginia is not a place that doesn’t get snow look out for rust underneath. FYI Ford owned Jaguar when the XK8 was produced

[@ALAJARJR]

Interesting ....

[@jagvette1]

I hope you enjoy check out the other episodes :)

[@bertglorney847]

Thanks for the information.What was the name of your parts Guy ?.

[@jagvette1]

the guys name is Jim [e-mail] or phone [phone]

[@bertglorney847]

Hi ,Has anybody got the contact details for Mitch Grooms, email etc.Thanks

[@philippedecottignies]

Le bouton de commande de capote électrique de jaguar Xk8 ne fonctionne plus

[@jagvette1]

Désolé je ne parle pas français mais je crois que vous avez dit que le switch ne fonctionnait plus, vous demandez quel pourrait être le problème ?

[@cmaximus7627]

A gentleman here in California is selling a 2003 XK8 100k miles. Very clean interior and decent exterior. he purchased a few upgrades for the car but lost interest and no longer wants to deal with it because he wants to shift his attention to another car (Mercedes). I would have to finish installing a new used top. Top hydraulics need to be refilled, and also needs the catalytic converters as they were stolen. Good news is he has all these parts and are included in the price ($2,500). I am not sure if it’s worth buying, what do you think?

[@jagvette1]

Fair price as long as you can do the work

[@cmaximus7627]

Thanks for your video, I don’t own a jag but I am scheduled to go look at one tomorrow. It needs a couple of things and I was wondering if I could get your advise?

[@jagvette1]

Sure email me on [e-mail] with your cell no.

[@tammychambe2663]

there are 2 level lines to i go to the top line?

[@jagvette1]

correct, the lower one in the minimum level

[@ToTheGarage]

Hi Jagvette1 Loved this video. Thankfully never had the dreaded green rain myself so this is uncharted territory for me. Do you have to bleed the lines when you refill and recommission? If so is it just a case of loosening one of the lines or is there a bleed nipple somewhere. Thanks very much for the namecheck re the keyhole.

[@jagvette1]

I never replied , sorry, it self bleeds by operating a few times, just keep an eye on fluid level.

[@josephguastella8037]

Mine went about 5 years ago ... Had a local shop repair it and its been running perfectly... 2000 Jag XK8 first one lasted 16 years hoping for more this time 🙏

[@tonybrown9875]

The classic Jaguar Golden (if green) Shower.

[@kiwi83340]

Thank You so much for this video. Starting this project now. Your garage looks like mine. Jag / Bonneville Had Jag dealer replace hydraulic line last year which was a mistake. Doing the complete system with Top Hydraulics myself. This time its probably the latch cylinder leaking.

[@jagvette1]

Glad it is of help to you.

[@TheRWinters]

This was the most helpful video for my XK8. THANK YOU

[@jagvette1]

Thank you for your positive comment, so many people (keyboard warriors) bitch" you didn't need to do this or that " but they never put out a video to show how they did it, I do this for fun and IF it helps that's a plus.

[@DedicatedJerk]

Aloha Jagvette - Thanks for the video. That's going to help me with my upcoming hydraulic flush this weekend. I found TSB 501-33 which provides a procedure to change the mineral-based hydraulic fluid with Pentosin 11S which is synthetic. This is for XK8s VIN number range 001001-037188. After 037188 Jaguar used synthetic instead of mineral oil-based hydraulic. My XK8 falls within the mineral oil-based hydraulic fluid era. Lucky me! Apparently if an XK8 convertible is located in a warm area, or if the vehicle convertible top is not used often, the mineral oil-based hydraulic fluid evaporates causing it to gel and become lodged in the active components such as the roof latch and actuating ram. Also note that older Pentosin and newer synthetic Pentosin should not be mixed and a full flush procedure should be performed. Thank you for your videos!

[@jagvette1]

Good luck, it can be messy but take your time and have plenty of paper towels close by, as I live in AZ the top is usually down, what does amaze my are lots of people that have convertibles but keep the top up.🤪

[@DedicatedJerk]

@@jagvette1 Aloha Jagvette1 - With my convertible top acting up these past couple of weeks, I've been keeping the top up, which is appalling to me simply because it is convertible weather here in Hawaii! I purchased a hydraulic pump as a just-in-case component from the same fellow that you recommended in your video. Not sure if I'll need it, but if after the flush and I still have trouble with the convertible top, I'll swap in the second hydraulic convertible top pump that I'll have on hand ready to install.

[@tonyleonard2955]

Serious Thanks for putting this Vid together. I've an '03 XK8 Uncle left me post covid, and this problem just popped up! Quite informative! ^_^

[@jagvette1]

If this has been left idle for a while check that the fluid hasn’t gone thick, if so you will need to flush the lines and replace the fluid

[@tonyleonard2955]

@@jagvette1 I think I might have a hydraulic Jam someplace, as even when I pop the tab and crank the hex Wrench to open the canopy, it's stuck on something. I aam going to try a shop that I better trust to do this, but it's an educational ride to better understand this problem. Then there is the engine which needs a tad bit, Ignition coil and plugs. But, cheers 'ole mate!

[@jagvette1]

@@tonyleonard2955 i had one of the roof rams cease on me and it's a lot of work to get to but very satisfying :)

[@tonyleonard2955]

@@jagvette1 I had checked with a small shop that wanted 2k USD to repair it. These cars have some of the most crazy engineering secrets! Dad used to restore old MkII's in the garage, XK's are a whole other love of madness..

[@alexanderthegreat6480]

Super !! More more more!!!

[@robertjones9747]

Were do you put the oil and what kind??

[@jagvette1]

The oil is CHF(11s) it's in a green can.You fill it up in the boot remove the panel on the right side there you will find the pump on the top is a brass plug remove it and fill to the level line, you probably will have to use a syringe with a tube on it as it is awkward to get to.

[@robertjones9747]

@@jagvette1 thanks for the help

[@kashifkamran8265]

Thanks for posting a detailed video. My 2001 XK8 has roof problem (it's not latching completely) and after watching your video, I feel confident that I can do basic troubleshooting to close it manually. Awesome video. 👍

[@jagvette1]

if you need help please feel free to Email me at Gstarrgaregr@gmail com and IF i can help I will.

[@alanmcclelland5245]

Thank you for taking the time to show some of the processes for working on the top. I have no frame of reference however my conv top (98) seems slow to react in both directions works fine but just a bit slow.

[@jagvette1]

Alan McClelland you may want to flush the lines and replace the fluid it gets thick after a while, but do remember it’s special CHF fluid