[mark67ss]

Hello,

I think my 68 camaro needs fluid in the convertible pump. HOw do I get to it? Where do you fill the fluid? What type of fluid do I use? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Mark

[KevinW]

Mark, You have to take the rear seat out. There are posts about the pump in the convertible archive section at the bottom of the forums.

Like this one:
http://www.camaros.net/forum/ultimat...;f=22;t=000003

Kevin

[mark67ss]

Took the seats out and read the post below in the convertible section, Noticed the piston on the passenger side and it was covered in what looked and smelled like gear oil. Black. The fitting that was going into the piston was loose and leaking. It is a brass fitting so I am assuming it doesnt need teflon and just retightened it. Doesnt leak anymore, but definately does have alot of air in the lines. Top went down but definately wont go back up. I know the motor is working very good and think I just need to get the air out and replace the air with more fluid. Problem is, I hear you can use tranny fluid, but with the fluid that is already in there can I mix the two? Should I use something else? Should I flush it out completely? and if so, what is the best method to do this?

Thanks
Mark

[jrager]

Mark,
Try these instructions for getting the air out of your lines. It work great for me.
URL to instructions on my web site or see them below:
http://www.ragersworld.com/topbleeding.htm


69 Camaro Convertible top bleeding Instructions

To bleed the system, I have removed the cylinders from their working place to the trunk floor. Be careful not to kink the lines. Open the manual valve, if equipped, and retract the cylinders, close manual valve. Remove the plug at the reservoir and fill with oil, I'm going out on a limb here, Type A ATF. I'd check manuals, of course.
Replace plug, have a person set at the switch, hold cylinders upright with rods pointing up, extend cylinders, turn cylinders upside down, retract rods. Keep doing this until all air is gone. The idea is to keep the chamber of the cylinder up so as the air will escape from that chamber back into resevior. Recheck fluid level in reservior with cylinders retracted. Reinstall cylinders in their working position.

A suggestion for you convertible owners. I found I got good servive from the cylinders, no leaks, if I were to disconnect the cylinders, retract the cylinders during the seasons of no usage. This kept the rods inside the cylinders to prevent rusting and destroying the seals. Then when topdown season came, hook them back up. The pump is what needs to be moved to check the fluid level, not the cylinders. When the air is out of the system , the fluid level should be even with the filling hole.

[mark67ss]

Thanks for the post guys. In case anyone else has this problem call HYDRO-E-LECTRIC IN FLORIDA 18003434261. Some one else in a previous post mentioned them and boy are they great people to talk to . They walked me through each step on the phone . Told me that somewhere in the late 60's they converted to auto tranny fluid, before that they used brake fluid, which is what I had in there. They said to remove the plug and leave it off. Then get a squirter can and squirt in fluid until it dribbles out, put a rag under it and leave it there with the plug off. Then work the top up and down. The air will escape through the resouvoir. Refill and repeat. May have to do this a couple of times. Be sure to leave the plug off the entire process and put a rag under it. when the top moves up and down freely and the oil in the resouvoir justs starts to trickle out, you are all set. Replace the plug and off you go. Be sure to clean the electrical contacts and use 3in one oil on the convertible joints. Good maintenance is the key to a happy convertible top. Like I said these guys were great!! Also, said you want to leave the plug off so the air can escape, and so that you will be able to reuse the plug. If you keep putting it on and off it will chew it up making it useless. Also leaving the plug off will ensure the right level of fluid in the resouvior. Definately emphasized the fact that many people over fill the resouvior which WILL damage parts in a hurry.

[DjD]

To properly blead the hyd system all you have to do is get access to the pump motor and remove the fill plug (rubber stopper). Take a section of clear rubber tubing and about 2 inches from the end wrap the tubing with elect tape so it's about the size of the stopper you removed. Place the hose into the pump and get a good tight seal Might have to test fit a couple times. Next put the other end of your clear plastic hose into a container of hyd fluid. Now run the top up and down several times, you'll hear when it's working the most efficently. This should not only bleed the system but will fill it to the proper level without over filling. Replace the hose with the plug and you are good to go unless you have a leak somewhere.

I used transmission fluid when I did mine after replacing a hyd ram...