Need some help with the roof hydraulics....

Hi

I need some help!

On the roof motor I disconnected the hydraulic cables and plug to remove the unit whilst I was sorting out the rust in the boot well, I have subsequently put it all back together tried the roof to see if it was still working and I had connected everything correctly but it seems I haven't! The hydraulic reservoir is now empty, fluid all in the boot and a roof that won't go back up

Firstly does anyone have any close up pictures of the hydraulic cables that attach to the side of the pump so I can see if I put them back in the correct order? Also how many washers between each hydraulic cable, is it washer cable washer cable washer? I took pictures before I took it off but they have been deleted by my 3 year old!

Secondly does any one know what sort of fluid the pump takes and how to refill it? Been looking at past posts but there never seems to be a solution to the fluid and method of filling.

Just searching the forum now for manual roof mechanism so I can close the roof over and access the hydraulic roof pump.

Any help much appreciated!

 

The ZH-M is comparable, the one I just found was a BMW specialist one so thanks for the tip Salieri
Also found out you can unscrew the hex bolt on the front and or remove the jubilee clip to fill up the fluid so will give this a go in the morning.

Just need some kind person now to take some photos of the pump and the hydraulic cables and advise on the washer to cable ratio... I will be forever grateful if anyone has the time to upload some

 

Tried to recover the pics but no joy was taken on a old digi camera I have knocking about. Yes the hydraulic lines I mean....no please don't anyone disconnect their hydraulic lines fluid comes out everywhere! I just need really close up pics of the side of the unit where each line goes (in pairs) especially the washer element between both lines on each bolt on the side on the unit.

Thanks for the help so far, at least I know now how to manually close the roof now which will no doubt be really useful in the future.

 

You are a legend! Exactly what I needed, looks like I put the washers back correctly same with the cable order by the looks of things, I think my problem is the angle of the hydraulic lines as I put mine back differently which would mean the holes is the metal ends and the hole in the bolts would be off causing a leak I assume.

Sorry to give you a project but at least you can take the rust early!

Thanks again!

 

There is a guy in the UK who refurbishes the units and uses BMW Specific Hydraulic Oil by Febi 1Ltr. not sure of the viscosity but that’s what I have purchased for mine.

Been raining here constantly today so hopefully be able to try the fluid this week and report back.

 

Well finally got round to checking the roof hydraulics, double checked they were all connected in the right order, topped up the fluid and..........nothing!!! Boot catch pops open, motor engages then just the motor noise. Boot won't tilt open therefore roof doesn't move therefore still an issue with the hydraulics I think!!! Now I am puzzled really wish I hadn't taken the hydraulic lines off now, any one reading this DON'T DO IT!

Checked the pump after the roof test and it is leaking hydraulic fluid from the rear of the unit, not sure how as it wasn't knocked or damaged on removal or reinstalation.

I am assuming that boot lid reverse open and roof down is all operated through the hydraulic lines and the pump?

Looks like I am going to have to buy a new pump and check to see if that's the problem.

Anyone any other ideas?

 

Any idea how I can do this?

 

Progress...slow progress but progress none the less!!

Managed to get an hour after work today to stand over the roof pump and ponder my next step whilst lubricating all the boots moving parts. Thinking about the air pressure in the lines pointer I decided to loosen the hydraulic line bolts and there was a whoosh of pressure release so tightened them back up, topped up the fluid wrapped a few bits of kitchen roll around the various parts of the pump to pin point an exact leak and gave the roof a try......this time the boot opened (hurrah) but then slowed right down (oooh) decided not to push my luck any further so pushed the roof button to close the boot which it did fully.

Opened the boot and lifted the carpet to see the pump and yep it has leaked fluid but now I know where it is coming from. There is a solenoid at the rear of the pump which has a tube on it that goes into metal box next to all the hydraulic lines, this tube has 3 rubber O-rings which should seal to stop fluid leaking out under pressure.

Next step is to renew those O-rings and try it it again tomorrow!

 

Does anybody have a photo of their roof pump solenoid they could share. Think I may have found my problem the bracket where it attaches looks bent and doesn’t sit flush which is exposing the outer O-ring and could be the leak problem.

 

Well today was the day!

Realised from a lot of searching the net and different angles looking at the solenoid and the pump housing that mine definitely wasn’t right. Turns out that the flange as it is bolted to the housing had bent under the hydraulic pressure when I had initially connected everything back up incorrectly. The pressure had pushed the solenoid out and bent the metal flange!

So with the trusty vice and some flattening of the flange with a hammer I managed to get it flat (well flat as I could, picture above)

Connected it all back up, topped the fluid back up double checked everything then held my breath as I pressed the roof button...I now have a convertible again!!!

This was a steep learning curve to say the least but this is what I bought the car for, to say that I am exstatic is an understatement!!

Thank you to everyone for their contribution, this forum is an absolute nesessity for a Copen owner!