www.jec.org.uk

To avoid possible congealing of the oil in the roof hydraulic pipe runs, has anyone any experience with renewing the fluid and provide advise ?

The problem of congealing hood fluid applies to early XK8s (up to the late nineties). Hence, replacing the fluid isn't considered to be necessary for XKs. That said, pipe failures although rare, are not totally unknown in any of the cars. Typically, the latter manifest themselves as fluid leaks close to the hood locks. Mike.

Mike, many thanks for your response. Glad to hear that it is not considered necessary to flush and renew the hydraulics.

However I was surprised to read of fluid spilling at the front locks of the X150 XK, since it was my impression that on this model the hydraulics only served the Main bow and Tension bow pistons and the front locks were latched/unlatched by a mechanical motorised tension rod system.

I would appreciate your advise if I have got this wrong.

Many thanks

Apologies for not clarifying that my last comment applied only to XK8s. The XK does indeed have a mechanical system working the front locks. With the exception of the early XK8/Rs and the congealing fluid issue, the hood hydraulics on the whole range of sportscars from the XJS onwards have proved reliable. Nothing is perfect, of course, which is why occasional mentions of incidents of pipe and cylinder leaks can be found. Mike.

Mike, many thanks for clarifying the operating mechanism for the roof front locks.

Your responses have been very helpfull.

Kind regards