430 Dropping the top on f430 spider

Morning guys… Had a quick question for the group.

I have a 2007 f430 spider. 21,000 miles. Car runs perfect in all regards, including the top operation up and down. The only thing I’ve noticed lately, is when the car has been in my garage for a couple of days and I start it up, if I drop the top after 1-2 minutes, it hangs up and then I have to close it and re-drop it and all is fine. However, If I wait 3-5 minutes to let the car warm up, it usually drops with no problems.

Is it potentially an issue where the hydraulic fluids need to warm up or something? Not sure if this is normal or specific to my car.

Before I took it into the dealer, thought I would just ask Others.

Thx!


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Have you checked your fluid level?

 

Hmmm. Fluid level for the top? No, I have not. Did not realize there was fluid for the top. Easy to check?


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OTOH, even if the fluid level checks out OK, why not wait for it warm up in the 3-5 mins like you said and leave well alone.
Lots for cars are temperamental. Don't pay $$$ to fix what isn't really broke.
She's Italian and finicky.

 

Very good point... will assess on the warm up. Thx!


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Ignoring low fluid level can damage the system. I know on my 355 the previous owner replaced both rams due to low fluid level...it was thousands to fix.

 

Thanks guys… I want to do the right thing. Is it easy for me to just check the fluid level myself at home? Or should I just take it over to my tech in the next week or so?


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Search the archives, the procedure to both check the level and refill is posted

 

Most likely elastics wearing out. The top is very precise and is its slightly off it will not finish the cycle. Check it your back window moves outward or folds in when you close the top.

 

If the fluid level in your top reservoir needs to be topped off, then by definition, you have a leak somewhere. Check the capote for signs of leaks. Typically, they will start at the neck of a ram or where the line connects to the ram. Replacement of the rams with new units can be eye wateringly expensive. Having them rebuilt is by far cheaper and probably in the long run better. Those "new" units are probably 10+ years old already.

 

Not necessarily a leak. I spoke with Dave Helms about my F355 spider requiring small top ups every two to three years, and he said that there is a certain amount of fluid that will get past the seals in the rams/pistons, and that was normal operation. There should be no leaks where the hoses connect or such. And topping up more frequently that every couple years, may indeed indicate a leak somewhere.

 

Yes, I agree. It's the second recent top-up that indicates a leakage problem. Still, before topping up, I suggest checking for signs of hydraulic fluid in the capote and especially, at the latches. Getting fluid dripping in your lap would be quite unpleasant.

 

Second recent top up? I must have missed something. I don't see any recent top up much less a second.

It is a very light oil and evaporates. Even to some degree on tops not used.