Convertible top motor/fluid

[Tedster]

So is there a way to fill the convertible top motor with fluid? Mine is leaking and dripping on the drivers side under the door, and now its harder to get the top down/up.
Thanks.

[KManiac]

To be brief, Yes!

The motor and pump are a single unit, located behind the rear seat. It should have a motor on one side, a pump in the middle (where the hoses connect) and a fluid reservoir on the other side. The reservoir end of the unit should have a plug with a hex head bolt. Remove the plug and add the fluid.

The top is raised and lowered by a pair of hydraulic cylinders, one on each side of the car, behind the quarter trim panels. When you push the button to lower the top, the pump pulls fluid from the bottom of the cylinders and pumps it into the top of the cylinders, causing the piston rods to retract into the cylinders and lowering the top. When you push the button to raise the top, the fluid is pumped from the top of the cylinders into the bottom, causing the piston rods to extend and raise the top.

You say that there is a fluid leak on the drivers side of the car. This most likely means that the cylinder on that side has blown the seal on the piston rod or you have a leaking hose. I suggest pulling the back seat that quarter trim panels out to inspect the mechanism for leaks and repair the leaks. Repair may include replacing the leaking cylinder or hose. If you refill the reservoir without repairing the leaks, you will end up refilling the system frequently.

My suggestion for refilling the pump, either now or after leak repair, is to unbolt it from it's mounting and hold the reservoir end up while adding the fluid. Use either power steering fluid or ATF. Hold it upright, remove the plug, add the fluid to the top and replace the plug. Then cycle the top up and down once to expell and air into the reservoir. Then repeat the fluid filling and cycling until the fluid level in the reservoir does not change. Then put it all back together.

Let us know what you find and what you do.

[Tedster]

Cool, thanks, very helpful. So the plug isnt the little rubber plug? Cuz i was trying to get that out and it wasnt coming out.
So I found out that my drivers side cylinder thing, the top part is totally broken off and no wonder its leaking. ughghg. Looks like a pain to replace too. Crap. I dont know how it broke, it looks like a hard cement like material.
Thanks again.

[Joric LeBaron]

Dude... I feel yer pain..

Look at it logically and take yer time..