XJ8/XK8 & XJR/XKR gearbox oil change

[crisisjez]

robocop said:

Jaguar steve said:

.... Perhaps you could use a normal Dexron 3 spec oil instead?

Thats exactly what my G'box specialist recommended. The original stuff was just designed to last so much longer so they could sell it as a "sealed for life specification" - when in fact that probably really means a few years ( or at least until the warranty had expired! ) If you think about the physics of it all, the oil will be very 'used' after 10years

Mine is a 11yr old XK8 with 92k mls. Just had a G'box service done on it by BK Transmissions, Andover and as BK says, Dexron III is what ZF put in in other configurations. He says it will good for about 5 years. Having seen the state of the filter, I shall certainly be doing this as regular maintenenace from now on. The Box was as smooth as ever with Dexron III and in fact, the stationary changes into D and R were much improved.

Some Pics

OLD OIL


OIL COAGULATING(is that the right word?) IN BOTTOM OF SUMP


OLD FILTER


NEW FILTER


CLEANED SUMP WITH NEW GASKET


If you have a old 'sealed for life' G'box then I would recommend you have a service carried out.

Rgds
Simon

Hope the T shirt fit`s, you`ve no idea what we all had to go through to get em

[robocop]

crisisjez said:

Hope the T shirt fit`s, you`ve no idea what we all had to go through to get em

Yes thanks Jez PM sent.

[lowdrag]

I've been following this thread for a while and while I use an old C class Merc estate daily I went to the garage and they now advise an oil change, just the same as Jaguar, every 60,000 miles. My car has done over 100,000. Today I took it in with three things to do. First the gearbox oil change, secondly, while it was there, the rear axle oil change, and thirdly the rear wash wipe wasn't working. They changed both oils, took the hatch apart, found the washer pipe disconnected so water had spilt on the relay and they changed that too. They cleaned the car inside and out and all in just over half a day. The cost? 420 euros or about £300, all this at the Mercedes dealership here at Le Mans. I've been away some years now but I reckon, if I'm right, that's cheap compared to UK dealership prices. Maybe you should start planning your services to coincide with the Le Mans week?

[a8hex]

Yep Lowdrag, I think it would be safe to say that £300 wouldn't be likely to cover that work schedule in the local MB garage that looks after Mrs Hex's E-Class.

[Nappler]

Sorry to drag up an old thread, particularly as my query isn't actually Jag related!.
I've got a 2002 Range Rover 4.4 whch is having a transmission fluid change and is quoted as using the Esso fluid, however the specialist said he has used Dextron 3 fluids on these gearboxes before and the manufacturer (ZF) has said that's fine, but on reading this it seems that maybe it's not, will it be ok to drive the car for a week or 2 until I get it changed again?.

Where is the best place to buy ESSO ATF LT 71141, as Land Rover charge £17 something a litre pus VAT!

[GavinPearson]

You can try the VW, BMW & Audi dealers, anything that uses a 5HP19 or 5HP24 or 'A' variants of these will use Esso LT71141 oil.

[Jaguar steve]

Cheapest I found was a case of 12 ltrs from TR Achem

www.oil-store.co.uk. 01302 723111

Last time I forked out was mid summer last year and I paid £99 inc delivery.

This oil is aparently also known as Lifeguard Fluid 5 and is used in Peugeot automatic boxes as well, retailing at IIRC £14 for two ltrs - might be worth following this up as you'll not have to buy so much if that's correct.

[Nappler]

Jaguar steve said:

Cheapest I found was a case of 12 ltrs from TR Achem

www.oil-store.co.uk. 01302 723111

Last time I forked out was mid summer last year and I paid £99 inc delivery.

This oil is aparently also known as Lifeguard Fluid 5 and is used in Peugeot automatic boxes as well, retailing at IIRC £14 for two ltrs - might be worth following this up as you'll not have to buy so much if that's correct.

Just gave up ringing various dealers and spoke to TR Achem, got 12 itres coming tomorrow for £102.40 delivered, luckily the mechanic was working on other items on my car first and hasn't done the gearbox oil change with Dextron stuff yet so I asked him not to bother and will use the OEM oil, it's expensive stuff and very difficult to find too!.

[Nappler]

Jaguar steve said:

Cheapest I found was a case of 12 ltrs from TR Achem

www.oil-store.co.uk. 01302 723111

Last time I forked out was mid summer last year and I paid £99 inc delivery.

This oil is aparently also known as Lifeguard Fluid 5 and is used in Peugeot automatic boxes as well, retailing at IIRC £14 for two ltrs - might be worth following this up as you'll not have to buy so much if that's correct.

Just gave up ringing various dealers and spoke to TR Achem, got 12 itres coming tomorrow for £102.40 delivered, luckily the mechanic was working on other items on my car first and hasn't done the gearbox oil change with Dextron stuff yet so I asked him not to bother and will use the OEM oil, it's expensive stuff and very difficult to find too!.

[andyps]

To bring an old thread back to life, I was going to book my XK8 in for a gearbox oil change today but having been quoted £200 before I bought it today it the quote was £531.62 so I thought I would investigate further before making the booking! oil-store.co.uk have Mobil 71141 for £95 for 12 litres and they are really close to me so that would make a saving of nearly £200. I have also found xk8 parts who appear to sell a kit of filter and oil for £117 + VAT which seems excellent value.

Any thoughts on these as alternatives to main dealer oil and filter? If I am getting the oil changed I want it done properly, but no point in paying too much!

[Jaguar steve]

Opie Oils have just started stocking LT71141 in 1 ltr bottles although it's now marketed under the Mobil not Esso brand name as before.

Edited by Jaguar steve on Monday 9th January 12:27