XJ8 Auto transmission

[weemac]

My 80 year dad has a 2001 Xj8, the gearbox packed in yesterday, no warning, as in there had been no previous problems, no whining, grinding, cluncking etc.
A mechanic has told him £1700 to fix it !!!! Any ideas what it could be ? maybe an easy fix ie electrical, or similar issue which wouldn't be so expensive.

[J44EAG]

Gear box issues across the V6 and V8 model range for the period are well known. Reference to the relevant gearbox sections of the X308, S-type and XK8 Bulletin Boards on this site and on numerous occasions in our magazine, highlight the issues. Many transmission failures have occurred over the years due to Jaguar at the time marketing their cars as having their gearboxes filled with transmission fluid and "sealed for life". There is in reality no such possibility and owners have become wise to the fact having had to pay for transmission rebuild. Myself included. A quick, cheap fix is unlikely to be the case in my experience.

Your fathers car is likely to be fitted with a ZF transmission. Jaguar also fitted Mercedes and Ford units to other Jaguar models. The problems for all were the same. Namely transmission oil break down at extended mileages caused by oxidisation, heat, pressure, contamination, age of oil and lack of an oil and filter change regime. My independent maintenance guy advised me that ZF recommend oil and filter changes at 60k miles to ensure oil is kept in tip top condition which will prolong transmission life. Not carried out, a transmission is on a count down to failure. Old oil causes wear to transmission components, The the wear particulate becomes a slurry within the oil and will eventually block electronically operated gear selection solenoids to the point where they will no longer operate. At that point, the transmission will need a rebuild. A car may have been driven one one day from John O`Groats to Lands End one day and have operated satisfactorily. Next day, the key is turned and the gearbox refuses to play ball. What I`ve described is a typical transmission failure.

Transmission failure of the type described will also affect the torque converter and oil cooler and its pipes. All will need to be flushed to remove contaminate before being re-used with a rebuilt gearbox. Leaving contaminate within those components will lead to a new transmission fitted having a shortened life. I have to ask. Does the price quoted cover such additional work. I would currently expect to pay at least £2600 including Vat for a decent repair job to be carried out.

I suppose the conundrum would be with a 2001 car as to whether it warrants such re-investment at fifteen years old. Essentially that is why we see so many good looking cars in breakers yards. All put there due to being uneconomic to repair. Sad but true.

I`d suggest you directly approach a local reputable gearbox reconditioning business and see what price they could do for you given that the torque converter and oil cooler will also need to be flushed.

Mike K

[mike020150]

As Mike K says, without maintenance, the ZF box tends to let go and cost a lot of money. However, you haven't given us any clues about the actual failure so it's impossible to be sure the box needs to be changed. Is it just a dash warning or are there physical symptoms? Are there any oil leaks etc?

Incidentally, it would be better if you moved this query to the XJ8 section of the bulletin board where it will be seen by more members with these cars. Mike.

[weemac]

Thanks for you're input guys, there is a warning fault displayed and the transmission is definetly not playing ball, due to the costs involved, I feel that it may be a case of another fine looking car, being sold for spares or repair.

[robv12]

try Eurojag 01325 722777, for a used box, not sure where in the UK you are but we know plenty of good guys who will fit it for you, do not give up on a late 308 just yet

[Orkney]

Being a Yorkshire Man and therefore slightly 'careful' with money, if it was my car I would need to be sure it was DEFINITELY a total gearbox failure before contemplating my next move. Can you outline the events leading up to the 'transmission definitely not playing ball' ?
Had the car been standing for a while without being used?
Is the gear selector stuck in Park?
Was he actually driving it when the fault occurred?
Was the dash message 'gearbox fault' and was it accompanied by Amber/red warning lights?
Was the engine merely being cranked when the message appeared?


Sorry for so many questions but as the other very knowledgeable posters say, a shame to see another otherwise great X308 on the pile for what MIGHT not be a catastrophic failure. Good ones are becoming rarer by the day.

Do you have access to a fault code reader?

Best regards,
Ian

[daveji]

The late model X308 is a very fine car and it is ( in my view) a crying shame to break up a good one for the sake of a failed gearbox.
Jaguar have a lot to answer for for propagating the "filled for life" nonsense of whiich eneugh has been said already.
I do not know in which part of the country the car is, but if the owner wants to keep the car there are practical options available to keep on the road.
ZF supply warrantied,factory reconditioned gearboxes,as do others or a used box,tested, serviced and warrantied can be supplied & fitted.
Of course there will be a cost......but it may be less than you think.
There will be a cost to get another car of any make....so why not spend the money on "the devil you know" ?
This is a job for a properly equipped professional Jaguar workshop not a "local garage".
Chris Forbes (CFS Motors Coventry) is one of the leading and most experienced Jaguar specialists and has everything needed to sort the car out. He has done so many times before.
His number is 01676 541917.
If the gearbox needs replacing think about a price around £800 from CFS
Surely worth a phone call.....if your Dad wants to keep the car...