Reflections

[Fury440]

Thanks Jeff, the leak must be pretty darn small and slow. The system was filled in the spring of 2014 almost exactly three years ago and it took this long to drain to the point where the top wouldn't move. The lift cylinders and pump are factory original only the plastic tubing was replaced with a repro. The oil was all in the center of the floor, none at all near the cylinders. The tubing is also bone dry so I'm thinking the pump/motor is the culprit.
The unit has a reservoir on one end, motor on the other end with the gear pump sandwiched between the two. The motor is dry and works fine. The pump is two machined plates encapsulating a little gear set and held together by 5 bolts. Five bolts seems overkill so I don't think they would loosen without a lot of help. That leaves the oil reservoir which is sealed with three o-rings, one sealing the motor shaft, one sealing the single mounting bolt and lastly one big honker sealing the open end of the reservoir to the pump face. That ring is my chief suspect. I found the mounting bolt to be a tiny bit loose, was able to give it about a quarter turn.

So I will follow your advice and check and test until I either find a specific thing to fix or nothing is found and I just button it up with plans to revisit in three years.
At least the floor won't rust!

 

[GJS]

I've become quite fond of this which is available in the Beer Store here in Ontario. At .5 litres they are just the right size too. View attachment 129474

Man, I used to LOVE that stuff! You could only get it at the SAQ in Quebec though which was far from my house so it wasn't my "i need to think immediately" beer.

 

[commando1]

So I will follow your advice and check and test until I either find a specific thing to fix or nothing is found and I just button it up with plans to revisit in three years.

I use Kleenix or toilet paper. No matter how insignificant the leak, the thin tissue will show it.

And, FWIW, this is the only beer for me. Anything else after drinking this tastes like dishwater & kitty piss.
I don't really know what dishwater & kitty piss taste like but try to imagine it.

 

[Fury440]

I use Kleenix or toilet paper. No matter how insignificant the leak, the thin tissue will show it.

Must have read your mind, just in from the garage and managed to use half a box of Kleenex and you are right on, it works perfectly for leak detection.

I think my problem is the shaft seal on the driver side lift cylinder, it doesn't pour out, more of a slight weep. Not much I can do other than replace the cylinder or just assume it will take probably 2 or 3 years to rear it's ugly head again. I think I'll wait until our dollar comes back to par and then I'll buy a pair of cylinders. The rate Trump is going that shouldn't take too long!

Thanks for your input!

 

[Fury440]

I use Kleenix or toilet paper. No matter how insignificant the leak, the thin tissue will show it.

After my wife informed me that Kleenex is for noses and not cars I have switched to butt wipe. Thanks again for the tip!!

CanCritter drop by and he noticed one of the "T" joints was dripping. I tightened the fitting, but it seems the crimp holding the tubing is the problem. So how the heck do I seal that?? Can't re-crimp as I assume it needs a serious crimper, maybe Seals All or Epoxy?? Any suggestions.

 

[cantflip]

After my wife informed me that Kleenex is for noses and not cars I have switched to butt wipe. Thanks again for the tip!!
View attachment 129968

CanCritter drop by and he noticed one of the "T" joints was dripping. I tightened the fitting, but it seems the crimp holding the tubing is the problem. So how the heck do I seal that?? Can't re-crimp as I assume it needs a serious crimper, maybe Seals All or Epoxy?? Any suggestions.

View attachment 129969

I don't think that kind of hardware changed for decades... I would contact a convertible top parts house and ask about it... expect to buy a new line and pay as much to ship it if you get it from the folks in Punta Gorda FL.

 

[Fury440]

Those are already new lines, just crappy assembly I guess. Bunch of suppliers with sets for $100 USD or about $140 Cdn so maybe I'll get a set shipped to Paul in Idaho. I really hate buying the same thing twice because some dummy didn't do his or her job.
These guys, Convertible Parts, look like maybe the know what they are doing. A least they have a 5 yr warranty.

 

[cantflip]

Those are already new lines, just crappy assembly I guess. Bunch of suppliers with sets for $100 USD or about $140 Cdn so maybe I'll get a set shipped to Paul in Idaho. I really hate buying the same thing twice because some dummy didn't do his or her job.
These guys, Convertible Parts, look like maybe the know what they are doing. A least they have a 5 yr warranty.

Really sucks how much labor there is to expose the fittings on some cars... easy job other than that.