I am still having problems with my cab top. It closes but doesn't quite get to the final phase of putting up the side windows. The hook doesn't appear to completely lock in place. I have eventually managed to get the top in service position and removed the back shelf carpet and can see the hydraulic reservoir. I feel certain that it needs to have fluid added as I can only see about a quarter inch of fluid in the container underneath the pump motor. I know how to add fluid but would anyone know if I can use any hydraulic fluid for the job? Not that the difference in price would make my final decision. It's the time I would have to wait for delivery from Pelican parts. They have a Porsche small bottle especially for the job which I could order but wanted to know has ANY ONE used ordinary hydraulic fluid with no repercussions. Thanks in advance for any thpoughts on the matter.

 

Pentosin CHF11, the green can. Works fine. Nervous nellies will of course disagree. The problem is why is the reservoir low? Usually the hydraulic jacks are shot ... so you're gonna need these guys: http://www.tophydraulicsinc.com/en/8-porsche

 

I topped the hydraulic cab top oil up. Put the car back together. Closed the roof (that's down) and now it wont move to come up dammit. Just a red flashing roof light on the dash when I try from the toggle switch or the key. (hand brake on, engine lid closed).. I hate like hell being beat but this has really got me this time. I am going to have to book it into the Porsche Garage. At least it is in the correct position to put the hard top on if winter gets here before the car is repaired lol. Any more suggestions would be well appreciated. thanks.

 

First things first, the system probably needs to be primed. You filled the reservoir back up but the jacks and hoses were probably still full of air. Now, check behind the rear tires, find a pool of oil? I imagine you blew the hydraulic fluid right back out of the jacks (or wherever it was leaking from.) Do not despair, there is hope! First off, congrats, you now have a manual top. You should be able to move the top up and down without the hydraulics, just be gentle. You will need to rely on the actuators to move the side panels and hook, you are simply replacing the hydraulic pump with human power. Once the top is all the way up (or down) the computer should reset and turn off the error indication (not that it matters.) The fix is as before, address the actual leak, THEN top off the fluid. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Any chance the top needs to be recalibrated? When I bought mine, seller had his shop do so because top had problems similar to yours. Best of luck.

 

I eventually figured out the top problem 100%. First off it was low on hydraulic fluid and did not have the extra boost to complete the cycle. Then I overlooked that the cog wheel had to flick to the left/right to seat the hook into it's correct position after manually altering the position. That done and BINGO. I had already had the car booked into Porsche but once I get my teeth into a job I will not give up on solving it. Now the top works perfectly in 17 seconds up and down I feel I will not need Porsche after all. I went for a test ride putting the top up and down at least 20 times. It goes smoothly through the cycle completing with the window movement. I thank you all for your assistance in completing the job. Rennlist posters are the best. I won't cancel the Porsche appointment until another week and test the top each day at least a dozen times daily just to be sure. I will eat my hat if it jibs again. That's how confidant I am about the job. Thanks guys.

 

What hydraulic fluid did you wind up using? My top doesn't always close completely on the first try when it's warm outside, so I suspect I need to top off my reservoir. I bought some Pentosin for my power steering, and am hoping it's useful for this as well.

 

Pentosin CHF11. I think PepBoys, NAPA auto parts, and others carry it. My local Porsche dealer said Pentosin CHF202 can also be used.

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