Hydraulic roof fluid, please

[yellowjacket]

Hey folks - This shouldn't be a big deal, but the roof's been opening only about 2/3 of the way since I'd adopted the car 10 months ago. The reservoir in the trunk seems low, and while it seems simple enough to fill, I cna't figure out *what* to fill it with. As noted here in another thread, the part number Bentley gives you points to another (convertible top) part. What have you guys used? Will generic hydraulic fluid work?

 

[Stevo7682]

Now there's a good question and if I was in my work one I may be able to answer
( hopefully one of the other guys will be along soon with a definite answer)
But I imagine that it will probably be CHF ( central hydraulic fluid) that's what most of the soft tops use and vag group use it as power steering fluid

 

[Brian4]

Bit of a write up here on checking system and where the fluid level should be. there is a small circle on the side on the reservoir and the level should be preferably where the dot is in the centre of the circle.

https://zroadster.org/threads/convertible-top-hydraulic-pump.9445/

 

[yellowjacket]

Bit of a write up here on checking system and where the fluid level should be. there is a small circle on the side on the reservoir and the level should be preferably where the dot is in the centre of the circle.

https://zroadster.org/threads/convertible-top-hydraulic-pump.9445/

Thanks. Mine is about 1" below, so I'm hopeful the addition of fluid will result in better operation.

 

[yellowjacket]

Bit of a write up here on checking system and where the fluid level should be. there is a small circle on the side on the reservoir and the level should be preferably where the dot is in the centre of the circle.

https://zroadster.org/threads/convertible-top-hydraulic-pump.9445/

Brian, if you could pass along info in the next few days, it would be most appreciated.

 

[Steve Medlock]

 

[Steve Medlock]

Its actually this:

 

[Stevo7682]

Its actually this:

Ah so I was right roof runs on CHF.
( central hydraulic fluid)

 

[yellowjacket]

Its actually this:

Marvelous. Thank you! A bottle is winging its way to me now. I had been searching for 'fluid' btw, not 'oil,' which explains why nothing was turning up. Appreciations, all!

 

[bonbon]

The original PN for the Z3 oil is 54348410308. It is a kit that includes some oil and a set of screws.
The actual oil inside is Aral Vitamol ZHM (amber color).
If you want it cheaper you can buy the oil separately - it is the oil for the Z4 (only 250ml) PN 54340394395.
If you want it cheaper - it is the same hydraulic oil (for suspension and roofs) as used by Mercedes PN A000989910310 (1liter)**
There is an even cheaper aftermarket product (which may even be the same producer) - FEBI Bilstien #02615 ZH-M

**GSFcarparts say they carry this item:
PN #980ME0010 SUSPENSION FLUID-1ltr General Use. All Models with Self-Levelling Suspension £ 5.30

(If you want to pay a fortune - it is the same fluid used in the Jaguar XK8 Cabriolet)

 

[yellowjacket]

Amazing info, bonbon, thanks. Steve's bmw part # actually led me to the FEBI Bilstein product on Pelican Parts, which is waiting for an install. I'd noticed the Z4 oil but it didn't specify the Z3 so thought it a gamble. It's good to know there's a variety of options, though I hope a refill now will hold me for a while.

 

[BimmerJunkie]

You've probably done it already, but fill with the roof down. There is also an emergency disconnect from the pump actuated by twisting a knob on the top of the pump. This allows the roof to go up and down without the pump's assistance.

 

[yellowjacket]

You've probably done it already, but fill with the roof down. There is also an emergency disconnect from the pump actuated by twisting a knob on the top of the pump. This allows the roof to go up and down without the pump's assistance.

Brilliant, thank you. I actually hadn't gotten to this yet, and wouldn't have know about the top down--Bentley is mute on the issue.

 

[dissonant]

The original PN for the Z3 oil is 54348410308. It is a kit that includes some oil and a set of screws.
The actual oil inside is Aral Vitamol ZHM (amber color).
If you want it cheaper you can buy the oil separately - it is the oil for the Z4 (only 250ml) PN 54340394395.
If you want it cheaper - it is the same hydraulic oil (for suspension and roofs) as used by Mercedes PN A000989910310 (1liter)**
There is an even cheaper aftermarket product (which may even be the same producer) - FEBI Bilstien #02615 ZH-M

**GSFcarparts say they carry this item:
PN #980ME0010 SUSPENSION FLUID-1ltr General Use. All Models with Self-Levelling Suspension £ 5.30

(If you want to pay a fortune - it is the same fluid used in the Jaguar XK8 Cabriolet)

Bonbon and others,

I've read on another forum of using "jack oil" or "hydraulic jack oil" would be comparable to using one of the specific oils you mention above (the post I saw was at: https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=94472).

My hydraulic jack said it required a non detergent SAE 30. The Valvoline SAE30/ISO100 non detergent oil I have says on the back it "meets or exceeds requirements for Air compressors, hydraulic systems" etc...

The reason I'm asking is because the cheapest hydraulic roof oil I can find is $25 for 2L of the Bilstien or 1L of the Pentosin thru amazon (I live in Hawaii so shipping charges from other online stores usually exceed the cost on Amazon).

So, if you guys think this SAE 30 non detergent oil should also work, would you recommend draining whats left of the existing oil, or would it be okay to just top up and keep whats in there?

Thanks for the help, sorry for resurrecting an old thread.

 

[RobbiZ4]

ZH-M is the correct specification.