hydraulic roof for my cabby HELP!!!!!

hi all just need a bit of help i have a 1990 cabby a little while ago my roof stop working proply you can here the hydraulic pump working but i just hasent got the guts to rase or lower the roof    i have checked the threds and have checked the oil level when the roof is down and its perfect!!!! help!!!!!! i just dont know what is wrong :dontknow:  :dontknow:

cheers ryan

Could either be a leaky strut and the system is pulling in air (look for evidence of fluid leaking normally from o/s strut, or if not the impeller in pump has probably broken.

Does the fluid look frothy after activation, if so probably a ram air intake issue even if full.

I have a pump and ram listed in items for sale if you are interested.

If pump is whirring no action then as pointed out impeller has snapped in half.

Make sure the thumb screw is wound in also, (clockwise)  as this isolates the pump action do you can manually operate the frame.


Chortle

Cheers guys I'll have a look 2 day. I'm Gunna change the oil as well n c if it is because it 20year old oil gorn bad lol also what is impeller so I can c if it's Snaped?

The impeller spins with the motor and drives the oil through the hydraulic lines to the rams to open and close the roof.

It's like a circular plastic disc at the end of the motor shaft.

You can glue them together and I have seen where two holes have been drilled and a wire staple put in to hold together.

I don't think it would b that because when I press the button the roof moves a little but the motor just does not seem to have the guts to take it all the way so I'm rilly stumped I hope that changing the oil will do the trick I'm right in thinking that I can use power steering fluid yer????

G 004 000 02 Hydraulic fluid for power steering and power roofs - Just pop down to your local VW dealer, it is still use in the latest cars.

I am not surprised it is not working if the fluid is 20 years old !!

Just spoke 2 vw in colchester and they have got at oil for the roof

I don't know if the oil is 20years oil but that's what I'm hopping

My bet is it is a slight leak, you have insufficient pressure to raise the roof, have you bled the system?

Undo thumb screw lift and lower a roof a few times slowly to ensure the fluid is pushed around and air forced out, check rams for slight weeping! Re tighten thumb screw on top of pump.

When you bleed the system look for a frothing of the fluid, this could indicate a leak and air in the hydraulic system.

My leak was hardly visible but Changing the ram sorted the problem, exactly the same symptoms also the reservoir appeared full until bled.

This is the oil



Check rams for leaks at both ends. I had a leak too.
Took the ram out unscrewed the elbow union and cleaned up.
Reassembled with some ptfe tape and bled, works great.

Try and get hold of a medicine syringe to make it easer to top up the reservoir.

Personally if your replacing the oil etc, I would just have the pump out and check the impeller whilst your at it.

Seems daft if changing the oil don't alter anything. So your gonna need to have it out anyway.

Plus are you checking the fluid with the roof down?
You must check with it in the down position or you will get a false reading.

Undo the thumb screw on the passenger side rear boot card.
Lower and check.
Otherwise you may overfill.

Cheers

Chortle

cheers every one for your help!!!!! i changed the oil 2 day and its a big thums up all is working fine. and yep thats the oil i got from vw