Soft Top Issues

Hi,
My first thread, but certainly not my last.
I'm hoping someone might be able to help.
We just bought our daughter a 1996 Golf cabriolet automatic.
I'm told that makes it a Mk III...We didn't get an owners manual.
We've only had it a week. I also own a 1975 kombi and my daughter wanted a VW too.
Anyway, the issue is with the hydraulic motor that drives the soft top.
I'm not mechicallly minded, so you'll have to forgive my explanation and use of incorrect terminology...
When we first picked up the car the top worked slowly when coming up.
Now it can't get enough oomph (technical word) to close the top. The motor is working, but it's as if the hydraulic fluid can't build up enough compression.
I eventually located the motor (easy when you know where it is. I took it to the local VW dealership who didn't know where it was or how to repair it..."We never see them here, mate".) and there's a small amount of green fluid under it, which I assume is the hydraulic fluid.
My questions are..
Does anyone know anything about this situation?
Can the hydaulic fluid be somehow bled and/or topped up?
Can anyone recommend someone who could repair it around the Newcastle area?
Thanks for taking the time to read my long winded explanation.
Cheers,
David

Nice work! welcome to VWW! you'll find this place to be very welcoming and helpful on all parts!

Nice work on keeping the young ones involved in the VW family! i was lookin at a mk3 cab on carsales recently... is it a red one?

They are pretty rare so I can understand that the dealer didn't know how to fix it. Possibly a car restoration place? they should have experience with all sorts of convertibles me thinks.

I'd say Loon or someone will chime in and sort your prob out no dramas.

Good to see a cabrio in the mk3 section I haven't seen any on there, love to see some pics if you have any. Thumbs down to that dealer you took it to. Hope you get your problem sorted.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by davidp.

Hi,
My first thread, but certainly not my last.
I'm hoping someone might be able to help.
We just bought our daughter a 1996 Golf cabriolet automatic.
I'm told that makes it a Mk III...We didn't get an owners manual.
We've only had it a week. I also own a 1975 kombi and my daughter wanted a VW too.
Anyway, the issue is with the hydraulic motor that drives the soft top.
I'm not mechicallly minded, so you'll have to forgive my explanation and use of incorrect terminology...
When we first picked up the car the top worked slowly when coming up.
Now it can't get enough oomph (technical word) to close the top. The motor is working, but it's as if the hydraulic fluid can't build up enough compression.
I eventually located the motor (easy when you know where it is. I took it to the local VW dealership who didn't know where it was or how to repair it..."We never see them here, mate".) and there's a small amount of green fluid under it, which I assume is the hydraulic fluid.
My questions are..
Does anyone know anything about this situation?
Can the hydaulic fluid be somehow bled and/or topped up?
Can anyone recommend someone who could repair it around the Newcastle area?
Thanks for taking the time to read my long winded explanation.
Cheers,
David

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Hey Dave, first of all, welcome to the Forum. Just a small tip, but update your location information in the Profile area. This will help you out a great deal when it comes to offering repairers and the like.
I have no doubt you will get the help you need.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mrk_Mickey

I'd say Loon or someone will chime in and sort your prob out no dramas.

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Im curious , why do you mention Loon first ?

Anyway , if you have a leak from the pump its probably the resevoir/seal . There was a service bulletin about this and there is a superceded resevoir container (I keep 1 in stock ) . It actually uses VW power steering fluid . As a temporary fix there is a t handle on the actual pump , when you unwind this releases the pressure of the pump and allows you to lift the roof and put it up and down manually

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mrk_Mickey

I'd say Loon or someone will chime in and sort your prob out no dramas.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bug_racer

Im curious , why do you mention Loon first ?

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You are someone...

Hi,
Thanks everyone for your warm welcome.
Thank you very much Bug Racer for that info..I wondered what the tap did, but was hesitant to touch it. I'll use it today to put top up.
Is there a way to top up fluid and/or bleed system?..some access point to put fluid in?
Bboyskidz -it is white, was on Ebay and came from Tweed Heads area.
Cheers,
David