Re: IML: Convertible top mechanism - 1966

["Steve B." <Imperial59@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> ===========================
> 1.  Pump IS under the top-well cover against the rear
> seat-back?  Phillips heads securing the covt top
> "well" are rusted and funky and I don't want to tear
> them up if I don't have to.  They resisted casual
> removal and I decided to let sleeping dogs lie.

Pull the back seat out.  Easiest way to get to it.  You can also pull the 
side panels for a somewhat better view of the cylinders and lines to check 
for leaks.  The normal problem is the seal at the end of the hydraulic 
cylinder.   That seal fails and all the fluid leaks out.  If the system is 
low on fluid you can hear the problem listening to the pump motor. 
Unfortunatley you have to replace the hundred dollar cylinder to get that 
ten cent seal.   It takes a bit of effort to bleed the system as a lot of 
air gets trapped in the cylinders and you have to run the top up and down to 
bleed it out withough running the pump back out of fluid.  Don't energize 
the pump with the fill port open!  Trust me on this one.


> 2.  If the pupm reservoir is low/dry, that means it
> leaked.  What are the weak points?  Anything I should
> expect, like having to redo lines or something?

Almost always those seals in the end of the pistons.  See how bad they leak 
before you decide to replace it all.  I have seen some that just weep a drop 
or two and have lasted a long time before getting bad enough to have to be 
replaced.

> 3.  Are these parts a rehab sort of thing?  A search
> of the Archives reveals Hydro Electric's website and I
> saw abut $500 in parts for pump and pistons.  Presume
> that they charge for lines too (I would), so guess
> that's $600.

He has the best stuff around.  If the pump runs it is probably still good 
(though I have seen a couple full of crystalized fluid that ended up being 
replaced.


> -Should I presume that things just need replacement,
> or can I pound on something with a hammer and wave my
> hands and save money?  If the thing's leaking, maybe
> the pump is OK and providing the pressure to evacuate
> the fluid out the hole wherever that is?

Bleed it first and see how bad it leaks. Hopefully you can get by with just 
new cylinders.


-----------------  http://www.imperialclub.com  -----------------
This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please 
reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be 
shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the
Administrators should be sent to iml.webmonster@xxxxxxxxx
To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm