Originally Posted by
pizzaguy
I'm wondering if Klaus said that, he's usually really reasonable. BUT if you want him to GUARANTEE the outcome, I can see him telling you to rebuild it all - how can he warranty something he's not seen?
I keep asking myself what makes cylinders leak. My SE has only 70,000 miles on it. The Graphite had 116,000. I've not had a leak yet. I do exercise my top every three weeks, year around. Maybe that's it.
But they also say to never operate the top at low temperatures (I think they said 32 or 38F degrees) and I obey that rule as well.
I don't WANT a leak, just wondering why I've not had one so far. I've sure had a lot of other common issues, both with the top and with the car in general.
I have also wondered what makes the cylinders leak. I purchased a SRT6 Roadster two years ago with 25K miles in factory shape from a gentleman who only drove it in the summer and rarely at that. He moved from Colorado to Florida. I now have 40K miles on it and the two main lift cylinders started leaking just now. The car has only been in Florida for the last two and a half years.
Now, one could say maybe he didn't cycle the top enough during the winter months in Colorado? But I actually asked a hydraulic cabriolet shop in Sarasota the same question recently. They are strong believers that hydraulic fluids should be replaced every 10-15 years. They believe that sediments and pollutants will settle in the fluid causing the o-rings in the cylinders to break. I don't know if that is the only reason but it sure sounds plausible. Obviously anytime you deal with o-rings the Florida heat probably isn't kind to them either. Something to think about and one reason I have asked on here if the fluid should be replaced....I think that might be my weekend project.