XJR

[paulnov21]

i have a 2001 XJR that is undergoing a custom rebuild. i was wondering if any experts can give advice if its necessary to change the gearbox oil (it has the Merc 5 speed auto) its done 77k miles.
Trouble is it takes 10 letres of very expensive oil, i dont want to waste my money unnecessarily.

you can catch the jag custom at www.ourcustoms.co.uk click on 'cresta' and 'cresta history'

[TheD]

Dont believe the sealed for life stuff. Most guys with knowledge say it should get changed at 60.

[groomi]

Definately change it.

[Jaguar steve]

Gearbox oil changing is essential if you want it to last. Jaguar's claim they are sealed for life is nothing more than a triumph of Marketeing over Engineering - as many people have found out to their cost.

The good news is the Mercedes XJR gearbox oil change is a much easier job to do then the ZF one fitted to the XJs and you can use ordinary Dexron 111 fluid too. You'll need a new filter and gasket(available from GSF cheaper than the main stealer) and aroud 7 litres of oil. The only tricky bit may be sourcing a dipstick - which you'll need but is not fitted .

The procedure was covered in the JEC magazine March 2008. PM me if you'd like a copy.

[jimattfield]

Can't seem to find PM but I'd like a copy if you would be kind enough.

Jim

[Zippyworld]

I had this job done recently on my 98 XJR. I got the oil from Opie Oils who really know their stuff.
They are at the top of the General gassing forum on Pistonheads

I also obtained a dipstick on Ebay from the USA from pro-autotools, this is his user name. It was cheap, top quality and I got it really fast.

[paulnov21]

Thanks everyone, going to bite the bullet and going to change the oil. I imagine the box would be expensive to repair if the worst happens. cheers

[Jaguar steve]

jimattfield said:

Can't seem to find PM but I'd like a copy if you would be kind enough.

Jim

Click on user profile then email me on top rh side to PM - yours is disabled at the 'mo.

[avos]

IMHO would stick to the original oil, which can be cheaply had at any Mercedes dealer (I pay here about 11 euros a litre). Thats at least cheap enough for me to have piece of mind by using the right oil, and also not to have mixed 2 different oils in the box, as it wil be hard to get all the oil out (unless you have a drain plug on the Torque Converter).

Here is more info about the box:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210-e-class/14634...

Doing it right you need to measure the fluid level at 80 degrees, and you need to have a WDS/IDS or other computer to read out the fluid temperature. You can see in the attached link how much temperature plays a role in fluid level.