The R230's hydraulic vario roof pump aka hydraulic unit is a complex, high-performance pump with integrated valve block, two different output pressures, high-end electronic noise suppression, and high flow rate. 

Intermittently working pumps are often mistaken for internal leaks in hydraulic cylinders. While internal leaks occur in OEM vario roof cylinders on occasion, almost every hydraulic pump will fail eventually on account of some design flaws that Top Hydraulics fixes with its upgrade. Thus, your pump will be better than a new one.

Is your pump blowing a fuse every time you try to use it? That is a clear sign for a short from the pump's electric motor, and Top Hydraulics' rebuild will take care of it.

You send in your malfunctioning vario roof convertible hydraulic pump, p/n 2308000030, 2308000088, 2308000330, 2308000348, aka A 230 800 00 30, A 230 800 00 88, A 230 800 03 30, A 230 800 03 48.

If possible, raise your roll bar before removing the pump. Note that line 100 going to the top of the roll bar support cylinder is always pressurized (on working pumps). Before removing line 100 from the pump, loosen the two inside hex (Allen) bolts that hold the valve block to the pump. There will likely be a small amount of fluid coming out between the valve block and the pump body (fraction of an ounce), but this relieves pressure from line 100.

Do NOT drill a hole in the reservoir! - the filtering in the original pumps is insufficient, and tiny plastic shavings can cause significant damage to the pump and the valve block. Top Hydraulics may have to charge extra for rebuild service on pumps with severe contamination or holes drilled in the reservoir. An additional charge may also apply to pumps that have been abused by DIY repair efforts or severely damged by fire or water. Note that the latter is rare, but we want to mention it for completeness.

The upgrade service for hydraulic convertible top pumps replaces sensitive parts inside the pump with re-designed, precision machined aluminum ones, improves fluid filtering on those pumps that need it, services the valve block, solenoids and check valves, upgrades electronic components, upgrades internal seals, and replaces the electric motors if needed. Early model year vario roof pumps p/n 2308000030 (aka A 230 800 00 30) and 2308000348 (aka A 230 800 03 48) fail very frequently at this point, and should be upgraded proactively. Top Hydraulics' service makes these high-performance pumps better than brand new ones!

Final test includes pressure test in all pump stages, flow test, and endurance test.

Pump removal is quite simple. Disconnect the pump from the wiring harness, remove the bolts that mount the pump frame to the car, and turn the pump on its side. Now you will see all the hydraulic lines going into the pump, held in place by two retaining plates. Each plate has numbers engraved where the lines go in, and the lines (hoses) have the corresponding numbers printed on them in red or white ink. Thus, there is no need for labeling the hoses. First loosen the two inside hex (Allen) bolts that hold the valve block to the pump - one or two turns is enough. There will likely be a small amount of fluid coming out between the valve block and the pump body (fraction of an ounce), but this relieves pressure from line 100. (As mentioned above, there is normally pressure on line 100, and that would otherwise make line 100 pop out of the pump once its retaining plate is moved.) Then remove the retaining plates and pull out the hoses.

We suggest that you remove the mounting frame from the pump - it makes shipping cheaper and easier. Do not attempt to drain fluid from the pump. Instead, wrap the pump inside a large garbage bag, and then inside another one. That should take care of keeping oil leaks contained, and it will protect your pump. Buffer the parcel well inside, and tape it up well.

Top Hydraulics will not guarantee that the rebuilt units will be cosmetically perfect, but they will work well. For example, if you send us a pump in a bent mounting frame, then we may use our best efforts to straighten out the frame, but we will not replace it. We do not replace damaged electrical connectors - please package your pump carefully.

Return shipping within the US is $20 for FedEx 2-Day Service or $90 for FedEx Priority Overnight. International return shipping via FedEx International Priority is $90 to Canada and Mexico and $135 to countries outside of North America.

US domestic customers send in your pump with or without mounting frame - international customers please ship without the mounting frame.