Xk8 automatic gearbox issue

[brockovrs]

When putting the car into reverse, it seems to take a couple of seconds to think about it & occasionally has a bit of a clunk when actually engaging.

My first thought is low ATF/gearbox oil, but I can't seem to find where to see the level or top it up from.

Any ideas?

Cheers!

[tr7v8]

You won't it doesn't have a dipstick. Assuming it has done reasonable miles I'd get a specialist to drop the sump & filter & new filter & fluid. They are meant to be sealed for life but really need a fluid change at 60-70K.

[brockovrs]

Ahh nuts! It's done 81k - is dropping the sump a big job?

[tr7v8]

Technically it isn't difficult but the refill is, the level has to be set at a temperature & with the car dead level. You can do it yourself but it is bloody difficult without a ramp. The fluid is fairly expensive as well.

[GavinPearson]

The best course of action would be to start by verifying that the gear cable is correctly adjusted. If the gearbox detents do not line up with the J gate detents, and the lights on the J gate don't come on at the exact right time, then the cable and potentially rotary switch must be adjusted.

If the system required adjustment then test and see if the delayed engagement is fixed.

If it isn't then add a half litre of oil through the fill plug which is at the back of the gearbox. If that works, leave well alone.

If that does not work, disconnect the battery to reset the TCM adapts and see how this works.

If engagement is still delayed add another half litre of oil.

If this still does not work then go to a specialist in these transmissions.

[NormanD]

brockovrs said:

Ahh nuts! It's done 81k - is dropping the sump a big job?

At 81K it's well over due for an oil and filter change before the gearbox goes BANG

[Jaguar steve]

Essential to use the correct oil - Esso/Mobil LT 71141 aka Lifeguard Fluid 5.

Try ebay or buy a kit of filter, gasket, oil and O ring from British Car Parts.

Absolutely essential to work cleanly and prevent any contamination entering gearbox.

Filler/weir plug is 8mm female hex at right rear of gearbox. Difficult access and right by exhaust pipe. Crack off plug and all sump bolts before draining oil.

Drain oil, remove sump and filter. Clean sump and magnets, fit new O ring to filter and fit filter to gearbox. Renew gasket if old one damaged, Copperslip sump bolts and refit sump.

With car level do initial fill of 4-5 lts until oil is level with and runs out of weir hole.

Final fill is done with assistant starting engine and slowly cycling gearbox through D N R. This will draw oil up into the gearbox and sump level will drop. With engine still running and assistant continuing to cycle gears, quickly add more oil - possibly another ltr or two - until oil is again level with weir hole. With engine still running and assistant still cycling gears now replace weir plug.

Correct oil level is indicated with slight trickle/drip from weir hole with transmission cold, gears cycling and engine running. Removing weir plug under any other circumstances will cause flood of oil.

Oil expands as it heats up. You have a just a couple of minutes from cold start to get the level right before the oil starts to warm and need a means of quickly adding oil on the final fill I've adapted an old washing machine extract pump which works fine but whatever method of pumping you use it's essential to avoid cavitation and aeriation of the oil.

Edited by Jaguar steve on Friday 13th December 08:53

[brockovrs]

Thanks for all the advice!

Looks like I'll be finding a local independant to do that then!

[fatboy b]

NormanD said:

brockovrs said:

Ahh nuts! It's done 81k - is dropping the sump a big job?

At 81K it's well over due for an oil and filter change before the gearbox goes BANG

Indeed. My dad bought an X308 3.2 with about 60k on it. I advised he get the fluid changed. He didn't, but it did last a couple more years before going pop. It was a £2500 job to put a recon box, and new torque converter in.

[fatboy b]

brockovrs said:

Thanks for all the advice!

Looks like I'll be finding a local independant to do that then!

North Wales Jag centre are good if you're not too far away.

[SV8Predator]

NormanD said:

At 81K it's well over due for an oil and filter change before the gearbox goes BANG

Make no mistake, it's going to go bang, but with a fluid change he should get another 20K out of it.

[AnimalMkIV]

The valve packs have a habit of cracking on the X100 autoboxes which will cause that issue as it will bleed pressure.

If you have a transmission specialist nearby, they will possibly have some in stock and it's about half a day's work. Cost me £380 to have this done also replacing the loom and a solenoid.

[andyps]

AnimalMkIV said:

The valve packs have a habit of cracking on the X100 autoboxes which will cause that issue as it will bleed pressure.

If you have a transmission specialist nearby, they will possibly have some in stock and it's about half a day's work. Cost me £380 to have this done also replacing the loom and a solenoid.

Where did you get that done? Sounds a reasonable price and I wonder if it might be an issue mine is suffering.

[NormanD]

andyps said:

Where did you get that done? Sounds a reasonable price and I wonder if it might be an issue mine is suffering.

It needs to be done by someone that can do the job properly as level has to be checked a a priscribed tempreture

As you are in Yorkshire I would suggest

Elite & Performance Jags
Post Code DE21 4BE
Phone [phone]

[AnimalMkIV]

Mine was done by Auto Transmissions, Emmanuel Street, Preston. They were recommended by the Jag indy I use.

[andyps]

Thanks for the recommendations, I had the oil changed in mine as soon as I got it two years ago but wasn't particularly impressed by the local Jag independent garage so won't be using them again. Preston is easy as I have family living close and have used Preston Jag centre for a couple of jobs and was impressed with them.