Ah ball cocks, my gearbox has popped
Discussion
X308
Little fwd drive in first, bangs if you try anything other than dead gentle throttle openings, fine in all other gears inc reverse, no other noises, sounds like the proverbial 1st gear/front clutch to me.
Poo
Transmission place down the road reckons it's repairable but I'm bracing for a full rebuild.
I've got a bottle of cava and I'm going in now...
erse
At least I'll get a known and reliable box out of it I guess.
pah
Little fwd drive in first, bangs if you try anything other than dead gentle throttle openings, fine in all other gears inc reverse, no other noises, sounds like the proverbial 1st gear/front clutch to me.
Poo
Transmission place down the road reckons it's repairable but I'm bracing for a full rebuild.
I've got a bottle of cava and I'm going in now...
erse
At least I'll get a known and reliable box out of it I guess.
pah
Edited by BigNige on Friday 12th June 22:48
BigNige said:
X308
Transmission place down the road reckons it's repairable but I'm bracing for a full rebuild.
If you need a second opinion (or want to get a competitive quote) try Hardy Engineering in Leatherhead (Junction 9 on M25)Transmission place down the road reckons it's repairable but I'm bracing for a full rebuild.
Edited by BigNige on Friday 12th June 22:48
http://www.hardyengineering.co.uk/ - a really outstanding company with huge experience and great reputation - nice guys too.
Bad news 
sorry to hear the XJ owners worst nightmare has come true.
As far as I'm aware Wyn Thomas has the cheapest advertised option on a replacement 'box, but you'll need to talk to Mike there and find out exactly what you're getting. Bristol Transmissions also advertise heavily as do ZF themselves.
It's essential the oil cooler and pipework is flushed out when a new box is fitted - there may well be chunks of broken bits in there just waiting to introduce themselves to the innards of your new box. You could end up wrecking the new box too so make sure it's done throughly.
sorry to hear the XJ owners worst nightmare has come true.As far as I'm aware Wyn Thomas has the cheapest advertised option on a replacement 'box, but you'll need to talk to Mike there and find out exactly what you're getting. Bristol Transmissions also advertise heavily as do ZF themselves.
It's essential the oil cooler and pipework is flushed out when a new box is fitted - there may well be chunks of broken bits in there just waiting to introduce themselves to the innards of your new box. You could end up wrecking the new box too so make sure it's done throughly.
Cheers Steve - Wynn advertises at £1749 +VAT which doesn't end up that much far away from what my local transmission place (who I've used before) is quoting.
They are literally 1/4 mile from me and will warranty the work as well.
I'm tempted to go to Wynn as I know he has a great reputation but on balance and considering it'd be easy for me to claim on warranty should it be needed etc I'll probably stick locally.
Thanks for the tip on the oil cooler as well.
They are literally 1/4 mile from me and will warranty the work as well.
I'm tempted to go to Wynn as I know he has a great reputation but on balance and considering it'd be easy for me to claim on warranty should it be needed etc I'll probably stick locally.
Thanks for the tip on the oil cooler as well.
Edited by BigNige on Sunday 14th June 14:31
When I bought the car I had a full AA inspection done and asked them to pay particular attention to the gearbox as I knew it was a weak point.
I was told it (the box) was "fine and had no problems"
Whilst I know I wont get anywhere with redress, I think I'm going to get the AA to now comment on this situation as the car has only done 4000miles since being inspected.
I was told it (the box) was "fine and had no problems"
Whilst I know I wont get anywhere with redress, I think I'm going to get the AA to now comment on this situation as the car has only done 4000miles since being inspected.
NormanD said:
Sounds like the usual Jaguar 'Sealed for Life'
Gearbox goes BANG, end of its life
The oil does need changing on a regular basis
Gearbox goes BANG, end of its life
The oil does need changing on a regular basis
Indeed it does. I first changed mine and the filter at 62k and it was - as you might expect - pretty grim. The oil was very black and smelly and there were quite a few bits of metal stuck to the sump magnets. I had a problem with the gearbox going into limp home mode during the really cold weather earlier this year on cold start up and I've just changed it again at 87k and found the second fill pretty discoloured, but thankfully no more particles in the sump. Given the cost and hassle of sourcing a replacement gearbox, getting it fitted and clearing any codes it really does make sense to change the oil at 25/30k intervals. Ok so it'll cost you about £120 or so if you DIY - it's not that hard, honest - or £250 if you pay an indy to do it, but IMO it's got to be done.Proof that the first change of oil was already past its best even at a quite modest mileage was an immediate improvement in shift quality - especially on the upchange on a trailing throttle and a reduction of noise under full throttle acceleration in 1st and second. I've also lost the slight hesitation I occasionally experienced when pulling away from stationary. Overall the car is quiter and smoother now and the odd moany grunt from the box, again on a trailing throttle upchange has gone too.
IMO XJ/K8 'diffs and gearboxes cannot be expected to last the potential life of the rest of the car's components if oil changes are neglected. You really must ignore the Jaguar "sealed for life" b
ks. Frankly it's absolute crap - a real triumph of Marketing over Engineering. I feel really sorry for BN and all the other people who have had 'boxes and 'diffs go - often the sort of cash needed to get the car fixed is more than it's worth. All for the sake of a few quids worth of oil.Right, that's Sundays rant over, I'm off to open another other bottle of Merlot....
Is it easy for an indy to replace the gearbox oil if it is 'sealed for life'?
Try writing to Jag but probably a complete waste of time: I bought a six year old 45k miles xjr6 from a Jag dealer and the diff was vibrating after six months. I wrote to the garage and Jaguar about this diff clearly having a fault. Jaguar said it was nothing to do with them, speak to the garage, and that no good will was due. The garage said they provided no warranty unless the car was a Jaguar approved second hand car. I was too young and naive to try small claims.
Try writing to Jag but probably a complete waste of time: I bought a six year old 45k miles xjr6 from a Jag dealer and the diff was vibrating after six months. I wrote to the garage and Jaguar about this diff clearly having a fault. Jaguar said it was nothing to do with them, speak to the garage, and that no good will was due. The garage said they provided no warranty unless the car was a Jaguar approved second hand car. I was too young and naive to try small claims.
You need to be thorough BN and listen to this advice.
This gearbox has built in absolecence. I have pointed this out in a previous thread with much Pistonheads ridicle.Nobody including ZF will ever acknowledge the problems with the valve chest etc either.If there is too much oil pressure through the clutch drum ,it will fail again if not investigated. Just replacing it is not the end. The other obsolence issues need to be dealt with aswell,so it is not all about getting the cheapest price.The old saying "you only get what you pay for " springs to mind. I`m in the Industry so I know what others` do.
Any warranty WILL be void if the oil cooler/ pipe work is not replaced.Think about it.It becomes an escape for the warranty companies and their business is small print escape.
Sorry,but you will get nowhere with the inspection/ warranty.They are worded such that they have no responsibility. The AA are , after all a recovery service, despite what you believe.
The Gearbox.....
Much of the compound debris blocks up the cooler.The internal surface of the rubber pipes become degenerated/abrased quickly when the drum fails. This debris fills the cooler aswell and you cannot get it all out. When the box is removed 9 out of 10 strip the threads strip off both the cooler and gearbox housing, so budget for replacement. If this is not reccommended, its an escape hatch for warranty. This will be extra cost which should be pointed out BEFORE committment to whoever you choose. The `Jaguar specialist` you point out buys his boxes in, most DO not build them and don`t know the issues.
If you choose to leave it, the cooler will not function correctly and the box will overheat.
There is a surcharge on ZF boxes, of around £600 on the casing. If cracked or damaged, you loose the surcharge.
Its all about looking beyond the price and closing all the loopholes.
Hope this helps
This gearbox has built in absolecence. I have pointed this out in a previous thread with much Pistonheads ridicle.Nobody including ZF will ever acknowledge the problems with the valve chest etc either.If there is too much oil pressure through the clutch drum ,it will fail again if not investigated. Just replacing it is not the end. The other obsolence issues need to be dealt with aswell,so it is not all about getting the cheapest price.The old saying "you only get what you pay for " springs to mind. I`m in the Industry so I know what others` do.
Any warranty WILL be void if the oil cooler/ pipe work is not replaced.Think about it.It becomes an escape for the warranty companies and their business is small print escape.
Sorry,but you will get nowhere with the inspection/ warranty.They are worded such that they have no responsibility. The AA are , after all a recovery service, despite what you believe.
The Gearbox.....
Much of the compound debris blocks up the cooler.The internal surface of the rubber pipes become degenerated/abrased quickly when the drum fails. This debris fills the cooler aswell and you cannot get it all out. When the box is removed 9 out of 10 strip the threads strip off both the cooler and gearbox housing, so budget for replacement. If this is not reccommended, its an escape hatch for warranty. This will be extra cost which should be pointed out BEFORE committment to whoever you choose. The `Jaguar specialist` you point out buys his boxes in, most DO not build them and don`t know the issues.
If you choose to leave it, the cooler will not function correctly and the box will overheat.
There is a surcharge on ZF boxes, of around £600 on the casing. If cracked or damaged, you loose the surcharge.
Its all about looking beyond the price and closing all the loopholes.
Hope this helps
I'm not totally with you Paul about your comments on Wynn Thomas - are you saying buying the boxes in is a good thing or a bad thing?
The place I am going to is not WT but a local transmission specialist and they know their stuff - I've had work there before.
They don't replace, they rebuild.
The guy I spoke to is also the guy that does all their Jaguar work and he spoke very knowledgebally about what was needed.
I will budget for a new oil cooler & pipe work if that's what is recommended.
I'm afraid I disagree with you on the AA issue.
They tout themselves as much more than a recovery company and therefore cannot be allowed to get away with poor and misleading advice.
They must be made accountable in some way.
I am going to contact them and then, depending on their response I will consider taking it farther.
I have friends in the legal profession and so that avenue of escalation is not a barrier to me but I will that their advice on this matter - I thank you for your comments nonetheless.
The place I am going to is not WT but a local transmission specialist and they know their stuff - I've had work there before.
They don't replace, they rebuild.
The guy I spoke to is also the guy that does all their Jaguar work and he spoke very knowledgebally about what was needed.
I will budget for a new oil cooler & pipe work if that's what is recommended.
I'm afraid I disagree with you on the AA issue.
They tout themselves as much more than a recovery company and therefore cannot be allowed to get away with poor and misleading advice.
They must be made accountable in some way.
I am going to contact them and then, depending on their response I will consider taking it farther.
I have friends in the legal profession and so that avenue of escalation is not a barrier to me but I will that their advice on this matter - I thank you for your comments nonetheless.
Edited by BigNige on Monday 15th June 10:16
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