X350 gearbox oil change - yay or nay?
Discussion
At the end stages of buying an X350.
Talking to the vendors yesterday I brought up the idea of changing the gearbox oil (80,000 mile 4.2SE). They urged me not to and said that they have seen many more instances of owners experiencing problems after insisting on changing the oil than on cars that have been left alone. They went so far as to say that they would, of course, do it if I insisted, but wouldn't then be held responsible for any problems that occurred afterwards.
Officially now confused. Oil change or not???
Talking to the vendors yesterday I brought up the idea of changing the gearbox oil (80,000 mile 4.2SE). They urged me not to and said that they have seen many more instances of owners experiencing problems after insisting on changing the oil than on cars that have been left alone. They went so far as to say that they would, of course, do it if I insisted, but wouldn't then be held responsible for any problems that occurred afterwards.
Officially now confused. Oil change or not???
Mon Ami Mate said:
At the end stages of buying an X350.
Talking to the vendors yesterday I brought up the idea of changing the gearbox oil (80,000 mile 4.2SE). They urged me not to and said that they have seen many more instances of owners experiencing problems after insisting on changing the oil than on cars that have been left alone. They went so far as to say that they would, of course, do it if I insisted, but wouldn't then be held responsible for any problems that occurred afterwards.
Officially now confused. Oil change or not???
Thats their way of saying they dont want to do a "proper" service, just changing the oil may well cause problems, you may find that it needs its sump to be dropped, cleaned and the magnet and filter cleaned too, a new gasket set and refilling correctly then its all done, some people dont want the hassle.Talking to the vendors yesterday I brought up the idea of changing the gearbox oil (80,000 mile 4.2SE). They urged me not to and said that they have seen many more instances of owners experiencing problems after insisting on changing the oil than on cars that have been left alone. They went so far as to say that they would, of course, do it if I insisted, but wouldn't then be held responsible for any problems that occurred afterwards.
Officially now confused. Oil change or not???
Hello Mon Ami
This is Swallows, isn't it? I saw the other post and I've got me Green 98 Reg 3.2 XJ8 in for some work. They come recommended, just look at previous posts. When mine went in, I mentioned the gearbox oil change and they said exactly the same as to you. Frightened the gonads off me, as did JaguarSteve and others who said you HAVE to do it.
What do you do?????
The last poster is probably right about the amount of work needed, but Swallows have a point (to a layman like me) and possibly thinking of my pocket (in my case-I've had a reasonable amount done this week) and their pocket (they're selling to you and don't want to trim their profit).
The more I read, the more uncomfortable I become with regards to not doing it. I will be going to ring round a few indies (Jag) and get a consensus. Tough call, yours looks a lovely bit of kit. My feeling is do it.
Had some good news (hope?) about mine, in that its had a replacement steel-lined engine, so no nicasil issues.
Best wishes
This is Swallows, isn't it? I saw the other post and I've got me Green 98 Reg 3.2 XJ8 in for some work. They come recommended, just look at previous posts. When mine went in, I mentioned the gearbox oil change and they said exactly the same as to you. Frightened the gonads off me, as did JaguarSteve and others who said you HAVE to do it.
What do you do?????
The last poster is probably right about the amount of work needed, but Swallows have a point (to a layman like me) and possibly thinking of my pocket (in my case-I've had a reasonable amount done this week) and their pocket (they're selling to you and don't want to trim their profit).
The more I read, the more uncomfortable I become with regards to not doing it. I will be going to ring round a few indies (Jag) and get a consensus. Tough call, yours looks a lovely bit of kit. My feeling is do it.
Had some good news (hope?) about mine, in that its had a replacement steel-lined engine, so no nicasil issues.
Best wishes
Euro5stars said:
Hello Mon Ami
This is Swallows, isn't it? I saw the other post and I've got me Green 98 Reg 3.2 XJ8 in for some work. They come recommended, just look at previous posts. When mine went in, I mentioned the gearbox oil change and they said exactly the same as to you. Frightened the gonads off me, as did JaguarSteve and others who said you HAVE to do it.
What do you do?????
The last poster is probably right about the amount of work needed, but Swallows have a point (to a layman like me) and possibly thinking of my pocket (in my case-I've had a reasonable amount done this week) and their pocket (they're selling to you and don't want to trim their profit).
The more I read, the more uncomfortable I become with regards to not doing it. I will be going to ring round a few indies (Jag) and get a consensus. Tough call, yours looks a lovely bit of kit. My feeling is do it.
Had some good news (hope?) about mine, in that its had a replacement steel-lined engine, so no nicasil issues.
Best wishes
Just to be clear, I absolutely trust Swallows. They have been looking after my X Type and my XK8 convertible for years and they have given me brilliant service and saved me a lot of money. However, I also understand they are a business and need to make a profit.This is Swallows, isn't it? I saw the other post and I've got me Green 98 Reg 3.2 XJ8 in for some work. They come recommended, just look at previous posts. When mine went in, I mentioned the gearbox oil change and they said exactly the same as to you. Frightened the gonads off me, as did JaguarSteve and others who said you HAVE to do it.
What do you do?????
The last poster is probably right about the amount of work needed, but Swallows have a point (to a layman like me) and possibly thinking of my pocket (in my case-I've had a reasonable amount done this week) and their pocket (they're selling to you and don't want to trim their profit).
The more I read, the more uncomfortable I become with regards to not doing it. I will be going to ring round a few indies (Jag) and get a consensus. Tough call, yours looks a lovely bit of kit. My feeling is do it.
Had some good news (hope?) about mine, in that its had a replacement steel-lined engine, so no nicasil issues.
Best wishes
They have done me what appears a great deal on trading in my X Type on this car. They know the X Type is good because I've spent £2k on it with them this year!
I think the answer will be to do the deal and then ask them to change the oil, filter and magnet at my cost afterwards.
Hi
The point I was trying to make is that it's not about the reputation of the advice giver, just the conflicting nature of what we're faced with. Swallows haven't got a good reputation for nothing, but JaguarSteve and NormanD also seem to know what they're talking about. I was sympathising with what appeared to be a dilemma on your (mine too) part.
Apologies if I come across as critical.
The point I was trying to make is that it's not about the reputation of the advice giver, just the conflicting nature of what we're faced with. Swallows haven't got a good reputation for nothing, but JaguarSteve and NormanD also seem to know what they're talking about. I was sympathising with what appeared to be a dilemma on your (mine too) part.
Apologies if I come across as critical.
What utter bo11ox.... When has changing old dirty oil with fresh new clean correct visco stuff ever caused a problem..? Many people say this because the g/box is sealed for life.. this is Jags way of lowering the service costs on the bean counters/what Car? spread sheet/comparison, but fresh oil is always reccomended in a g/box at least every 50k or so...
Contact Bristol Transmissions in err Bristol, they sell a kit containing everything thats needs to be changed. Its not just the oil or filter, but a new sump and sump plugs and retaining bolts. From a Jag main dealer the cost is over £350, I understand these guys sell the kit for a lot less. The oil is extreamly expensive though.
I'm getting mine done when I have some time, hopefully over christmas
Contact Bristol Transmissions in err Bristol, they sell a kit containing everything thats needs to be changed. Its not just the oil or filter, but a new sump and sump plugs and retaining bolts. From a Jag main dealer the cost is over £350, I understand these guys sell the kit for a lot less. The oil is extreamly expensive though.
I'm getting mine done when I have some time, hopefully over christmas
Edited by V12 Migaloo on Tuesday 23 October 16:09
Hopefully can shed some light on this - without anybody else loosing their gonads too.
Jaguar introduced a sealed for life policy on the ZF 5 speed transmission. This was to reduce servicing costs and therefore make the new car purchase more attractive to both fleet managers and the private buyer. The new gearbox was filled with with a semi synthetic oil, mostly known as Lifeguard Fluid 5 but also sold as Esso or Mobil LT71141. This new oil had a longer life than ordinary Dexron 3 - which oddly is still used in the supercharged cars with the sealed for life Mercedes box. Puegeot also had the same policy of sealed for life auto transmissions too.
Honest John (Daily Telegraph) the JEC and Bristol Transmissions have all highlighted the potential for premature gearbox failure if the oil is not changed. Mercedes also use the same ZF box and they recommend changing the oil and if you're still not convinced have a trawl through ebay and see how many otherwise reasonable condition and mileage XJ8s you can find with transmission problems.
My own view is it's essential. If a gearbox oil change is done carefully and properly by removing the sump and cleaning it out as well as changing the filter and making absolutely sure no workshop crap contaminates the gearbox whilst the sump is off than it cannot do any harm at all and will often do some good by making the gearbox shift better and more smoothly.
You won't get all the old oil out as some remains in the torque convertor , which is why I suggest a change at 50k and then every 25k after. No matter what that costs to do it'll still be cheaper than a new gearbox.
Jaguar introduced a sealed for life policy on the ZF 5 speed transmission. This was to reduce servicing costs and therefore make the new car purchase more attractive to both fleet managers and the private buyer. The new gearbox was filled with with a semi synthetic oil, mostly known as Lifeguard Fluid 5 but also sold as Esso or Mobil LT71141. This new oil had a longer life than ordinary Dexron 3 - which oddly is still used in the supercharged cars with the sealed for life Mercedes box. Puegeot also had the same policy of sealed for life auto transmissions too.
Honest John (Daily Telegraph) the JEC and Bristol Transmissions have all highlighted the potential for premature gearbox failure if the oil is not changed. Mercedes also use the same ZF box and they recommend changing the oil and if you're still not convinced have a trawl through ebay and see how many otherwise reasonable condition and mileage XJ8s you can find with transmission problems.
My own view is it's essential. If a gearbox oil change is done carefully and properly by removing the sump and cleaning it out as well as changing the filter and making absolutely sure no workshop crap contaminates the gearbox whilst the sump is off than it cannot do any harm at all and will often do some good by making the gearbox shift better and more smoothly.
You won't get all the old oil out as some remains in the torque convertor , which is why I suggest a change at 50k and then every 25k after. No matter what that costs to do it'll still be cheaper than a new gearbox.
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