Help needed 2001 XJ8 3.2 exec Slips 1st gear!

[dazzak1]

Hello,

I would love some help!

Bought a 2001 XJ8 3.2 exec with 1 owner, its done about 80,000 miles with a full Jag service history.

The problem is, it has a problem engaging first gear once warmed up, its an automatic car but it feels like its slipping first gear, then it engages first with a bit of a bang and then sticks in third gear and tells me I have a gear box fault.

The problem starts after about 5 - 10 mins driving and seems to get worse.

Does anyone know/have had this problem and what can I do?

Regards Darren

[Trooper2]

The first 2 things to do are; have the diagnostic trouble codes read and have the transmission fluid level checked. There is no dip stick for the transmission and check needs to be done by someone that knows what they are doing.

[NormanD]

Gearbox is 'Sealed for life'

If you believe that you will believe anything.


Have the oil and filter changed, makes a bid deference

I have known owners sell their cars thinking there is a major problem at a loss, they only had to do the oil change and they could have done another 100,000 miles

[Trooper2]

NormanD said:

Gearbox is 'Sealed for life'

If you believe that you will believe anything.


Have the oil and filter changed, makes a bid deference

I have known owners sell their cars thinking there is a major problem at a loss, they only had to do the oil change and they could have done another 100,000 miles

They are only sealed for life until there is a problem.

[dazzak1]

Thanks for the info,

I had it checked out by an independant garage who changed the gearbox oil and told me I needed a replacement gearbox at a cost of about £2.5k!

I spoke to Jaguar today and they told me it could be something to do with gear bands? apparantly they should of been recalled and replaced, once the engine warms up these bands stretch, hence the slipping clutch. Again the Jag dealership told me to replace the gearbox.

Does anyone know of a short term fix, so I can get rid of the car?

Cheers
Darren

[Trooper2]

dazzak1 said:

Thanks for the info,

I had it checked out by an independant garage who changed the gearbox oil and told me I needed a replacement gearbox at a cost of about £2.5k!

I spoke to Jaguar today and they told me it could be something to do with gear bands? apparantly they should of been recalled and replaced, once the engine warms up these bands stretch, hence the slipping clutch. Again the Jag dealership told me to replace the gearbox.

Does anyone know of a short term fix, so I can get rid of the car?

Cheers
Darren

Not one that would be ethical.

[GavinPearson]

Change the oil and filter immediately. Run, then change the oil again and flush the cooler lines. Disconnect battery to reset TCM, then drive extremely carefully with extremely light throttle.

The object of this is to get rid of all thecontaminants in the converter and get the A clutch line pressures raised, doing so may well save the transmission.

It's not cheap, but I would say it is well worth a try.

[james s]

Your symptoms were exactly the same as mine. It was a clutch and required a gearbox rebuild. VMTP of Hayes did mine 0208 8489911 but any decent jag specialist should know of a good gearbox guy.
pm me if you want any help

[dazzak1]

Hi Gavin,

What does TCM stand for please? Apologies Im not that cleaver.

Cheers for the info.

Best Regards

Darren

[fwdracer]

Transmission Control Module......

[GavinPearson]

The A clutch goes in these transmissions, and while I would concur that the best fix is a rebuilt transmission, the prospect of spending twenty five hundred quid on a rebuild is enough to write quite a number of cars off.

While the oil change is not a guaranteed fix, if the car slips a bit but goes through the gears, then the gearbox is saveable without a rebuild. Running it until you get round to the oil change will just compound the problem and wreck it in no time.

Your call.

[dazzak1]

Gavin,

Thanks for the info that helps loads, Im gonna go for the oil change and filter change then re oil change to see if it helps, then Im hoping to part ex this car against something else.

Apreciate all the assistance and guidance.

Thanks again

Darren

[dazzak1]

Hi,

I would like to thank everyone who has posted assistance on this topic, I really needed the help and of course the options.

I am planning to change the oil and filters, then re change the oil and flush the system as per Gavins advice.

Im then gonna part ex this car against something newer!

Its a massive shame cause I love the car to pieces but the prospect of spending £2.5k on a £5k (if working perfectly) car is a prospect I dont fancy.

Cheers and thanks everyone again
Darren

[james s]

My rebuild was 1400 inc Vat. I got have got a replacment box for £650 from Eurojag or similar, plus a similar ammount for fitting and fluids

For what is worth I always thought the argument of spending money on a car of low capital value a bit odd really if its a one off problem which can be fixed.

If the car is gerally good and £1-1.5 k will get you another year or two of motoring in a car you love then thats a bargin surely. The fact that the car is only worth 5k hardly matters one way or the other.

If the car has multiple problems and looks like turning into a money pit its a completely different matter, but surely its worth getting it sorted if its just the box

[dazzak1]

Hi James,

I agree with your comments entirely, as you guessed its not just the box, the heaters packed up, the cat needs replacing and other minor electrical issues that have added to my plight.

I've been scared off it really, which is a massive shame cause when it ran right, it was lovely.

Cheers

Darren

[jamesc69]

Hi

Just for reference, can recommend JoJags in Liverpool. www.jojags.co.uk tel [phone].

They supplied and fitted a reconditioned gearbox for my xk8 for £1400 inc vat and fitting.

Just thought other owners might like to know!

James

[pigster]

I have a recon box off a 2001 car for sale for £800, it has to go today

Call me on 0790 134 083

Ed