XKR convertible

[DadsTaxi]

Hi, im looking for advice regarding obtaining the hydraulic hood latch for my XKR which has chosen to cover my legs in hydraulic oil during the warmest period we have had for years. I removed the lighting cluster and the oil looks to be coming from the hydraulic latch. Im not sure if its the latch or the pipework so any advice on obtaining these spares will be appreciated regarding suppliers and prices.

I looked on one supplier and the price for the latch was £942 so im hoping that wont be the only option.
Thanks.

Edited by DadsTaxi on Friday 12th July 08:10

[NormanD]

Yes often happens with the Rag Tops

Its going to be the pipework, note a cheap job




If you join the www.xkec.co.uk on thier forum you will get plenty of local advice for a good local independant

[plasticpig]

As Norman says it's the pipe and not the latch. For the XK100 XKR To replace the pipe you have to take out the passenger seat and the rear seats plus lots of other pieces of trim. The pipe is about £30 and the correct spec hydraulic fluid is about £20 s liter and you need 2 liters. My specialist took pity on me and discounted the labour to £400.

[jodypress]

If you're game to try this yourself, have a look here:

http://www.jagrepair.com/RoofHoseReplacement.htm

[DadsTaxi]

Thanks for that information,one of the lads I drink with will be doing the work so up North here £400 equates to about 330 pints in my reckoning, he is s self employed mechanic for the last 30 years so hopefully it shouldn't be too much to ask of him. Im hoping it is only a pipe as the price I got for the latch was an unpleasant surprise, is this the usual price for replacement parts on the XKR or haven't I looked into it enough yet to find the best price.

Ive joined the JEC as it was a toss of the coin between them and the XKEC that Norman mentioned, has anybody any opinions of which one is the better club.

Thanks again

[NormanD]

DadsTaxi said:

Ive joined the JEC as it was a toss of the coin between them and the XKEC that Norman mentioned, has anybody any opinions of which one is the better club.

Thanks again

I belong to both

JEC can be a bit Classic Jags only, depends a lot on your local area
I'm between two, one group aren't interested in my Modern, the other welcomes all Jags

[andyps]

Whilst you are waiting to get it repaired this might be worth reading - http://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xk8-xkr-17/conve...

I got a quote for a new hose from a hydraulic pipe place (Mend-a-Hose http://www.mendahose.co.uk/ ) of around £30 and about 10 minutes to make it. I have a small leak from one hose but unfortunately they can't repair it in the car. Just need a day when I have time to do all the dismantling and reassembly.

[DadsTaxi]

Thanks all for the advice, ive now got the oil ordered up and once we determine which hoses are required I will have them ordered up too. I went out in the car yesterday as the temptation was too much but driving round with the top up on the extremely rare day when the temperature was in excess of 30 degree's was a killer.

I made a mistake with the price for the original latch as id put two into my basket so it was only £465 so not so extortionate as first thought but still expensive, hopefully I wont need one and the hoses will do the trick.

[stuartmmcfc]

You can manually raise and lower the roof although I don't know how much of a mess leaking hydraulics might make?
NOTE: This not my car which is currently for sale just to be clear

Edited by stuartmmcfc on Friday 19th July 09:46

[DadsTaxi]

Any further advice on lowering the top manually would be appreciated,
Thanks,

[andyps]

DadsTaxi said:

Any further advice on lowering the top manually would be appreciated,
Thanks,

I think the first of the links I posted above describes how to do it.

[DadsTaxi]

Thanks Andy, I have printed that off and will try it once the hoses have arrived and I get back down the garage, fingers crossed

[DadsTaxi]

Job complete and back home, thanks for the advice. I bought the hoses from CRH in Exeter who made the hoses up at 2pm on Wednesday and sent them straight out arriving yesterday morning. They look excellent quality and at £50 each a quarter of Jaguar price, I would certainly recommend this company for anybody needing the hoses as they better quality than the original ones,

[NormanD]

DadsTaxi said:

Job complete and back home, thanks for the advice. I bought the hoses from CRH in Exeter who made the hoses up at 2pm on Wednesday and sent them straight out arriving yesterday morning. They look excellent quality and at £50 each a quarter of Jaguar price, I would certainly recommend this company for anybody needing the hoses as they better quality than the original ones,

Pleased you got sorted

Thanks for Posting your tip of where to get them from
Do you have their contact details please

[DadsTaxi]

Thanks Norman,
The company is a one man outfit named Cabriolet Roof Hoses of Exeter, 01392811601 Ext 226, his name is Chris and was very helpful. I was very pleased with his service and quality of the hoses.