Checking the cabriolet hydraulic oil level

I was wondering the other week how often the oil is checked the the cabriolet roof. Had a bit of time to spare so thought I'd check it out - glad I did as it was below minimum. Here's a few pointers and photos for those who would like to check theirs: First job, open the roof so the front of it is about 12" back from the front windscreen. Then look under the rear of the roof at each side and you'll see a cable at either side that holds the back down in position when the roof is being actuated. On the end of them is a socket that locks on to a ball joint. Pull each socket off at either side. Then pull the rear of the roof up so it folds over against the rest of the roof. Look at the carpeted panel lining the compartment the roof folds into when down. You'll see 4 plastic rivets holding it in place running along the back of where the roll bars pop out. Prize the rivets out with a small screwdriver. The panel, with a little jiggery pokery can be then be removed, exposing this lot: If you look at the rear panel, just to the right of centre, you'll see what looks like a round canister. This is the hydraulic pump and beneath it is the reservoir for the oil: If you look from the driver's side, you'll see the reservoir with the max / min levels on. As you can see - mine was below minimum. I'm guessing this is something the very rarely gets checked by owners / Indys / OPC If you look at the front of the pump, you'll see an Allen head sump plug. I've partially undone mine here and pointed it out with the old index finger: Didn't know what to top it up with but wanted to do it while I was in there, so borrowed an old urine sample off the Mother-in-Law next door (better compression properties than pentosin chf-11) and made myself a hydraulic reservoir top-up filler from some festo pipe and a fairly liquid bottle - Blue Peter style: Topped the reservoir up to max. then all back together in reverse order. Don't know whether it's made any difference and didn't time the process before hand but now the tops wizzing up or down in under 14 seconds.

Here Osh!

Great write up Alex I come on this forum for entertainment, but usually come away with more things on my to-do list..... Assume the process will be the same with a glass back window.

Great write up Alex - what make/model/brand of fluid did you top up with...?? Osh

Just some power steering fluid I had in the garage....I think.

Thanks for the write up, but can't see photos. Says photo bucket error and need to have an account for $99??

If you're running on Chrome, you need to install this extension to get round it for free: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/...nk-fix/kegnjbncdcliihbemealioapbifiaedg?hl=en

oil is 000 043 204 89 https://www.amazon.com/Porsche-Hydraulic-Fluid-Convertible-Pump/dp/B00NRA95FQ Its not Pentosin In answer to your original question of who checks it on a service .. none of us .

Thanks Alex, but I only have an iPhone, so don't know how to fix it. I can fix cars but not anything computerish!!

They look like this Gav:

Thanks for to re-uploading Alex, I couldn't see them either! :thumb: If the rain holds off, I might have a look at mine! Are the ball-joints pretty simply to separate? Just a good tug? (ooh er)

Mine pop off quite easy now with a tug, but when I first pulled them off they were tight. I found the best way was to hold the socket on the end of the cable with a pair off pliers and then pull off. You can see them pointed out here with blue arrows:

Thanks for this Alex, its what makes the site so good and saves ages when d.i.y ing. The pictures are great I now always have a writing pad and pen handy to make notes of the info given on this site, Cheers all

I did this post nearly 2 years ago and never got a single comment on it until today. Funny innit.

Thanks Alex, can see now.