Wappo

This car is new to me so I have a few questions.

The top takes a while to go up and it stops every now and then in the process. I think that it might be that the line might need bleeding. Does that make sense? If so, any good instructions would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Wappo

67 evil eleanor

It may be low on fluid. I would check it first.

falconfixer

Does it go down easy?

If not -
Lube the hinge points.
If this doesn't fix it, i would disconnect the cylinders and run it up and down manually to find if/where it is binding.

If it still doesn't power up smoothly - it is the hydraulic system. Let us know - the troubleshooting continues... Could be a weak pump, bypassing clylinder, bypassing valve, etc...

Wappo

It retracts quickly in a single uninterupted effort. When I close it up it will start, stop fade, restart stop and fade, restart and eventually flops forward and closes. I assist it and it goes better.

falconfixer

Okay. Hydraulic issue.

Fluid level is good i assume. If it has not been operated in a while in may be air in the system - in that case keep running it and the air will work itself out (vented system).

Then try to CAREFULLY (don't mash a vital body part on you!) listen for hissing as it is being raised. Listen near the cylinders and the control valve. Hissing indicates a bypassing component. Replace.

Wappo

Thanks for the tips. I have never owned a convertable of any kinda and certainly not one of this vintage. So your information is appreciated.

To summarize I should:

1) check fluid level; top should beup at the time (correct?)
2) if low, add type A transmission fluid (correct?);
3) if not low, listen for venting.

The system is self-venting so bleeding is not an issue if I add fluid (correct?)

Anything else?

Thanks again,

Wappo

falconfixer

To clarify - you are not listening for 'venting'. What you are listening for is high pressure fluid leaking around the seals and going to the low pressure side (without doing work).

All else sounds correct - but make sure - read the owners manual for servicing the system.