Automatic Gearbox

[gnat]

I am a very happy new owner of a 2000 S type, which drives like a dream. however everywhere I read about the S-type there is reference to the faulty auto gearbox. Can any S-type oldtimers give me some info on the fault on these gearboxes, is there a mod to rectify?has the fault been rectified by jaguar? any info would be most welcome.

[jagtech]

Cross your fingers and hope for the best

[gnat]

Cross your fingers and hope for the best

Not very helpfull jagtech

[J44EAG]

Refer to my reply under the subject, S-type R 2002 V8 Gearbox Incipipient Failure. You might find this helpful.

Mike kennedy. JEC S-type Forum Co-ordinator

[foss16]

Just been onto Jaguar about my gearbox. I have a 2002 s type with 154,000 miles on and no gearbox oil change has been done, from what I here I am extremely lucky. Jaguar said that there was no need to change the oil if there has been no work done on the gearbox and the filter is not a servicable part,

Foss16 (very lucky s type owner)

[Montana5]

Hi (very lucky ) foss16, did you get the gearbox serviced anyway despite what Jaguar said or are you going for the record I just hope Jaguar don't start quoting your car and mileage
You probably do know that Service Kits with Filters are available from other sources, I'm getting mine done within the next few months. I'm sure a certain gent on here, who is far more knowledgeable than me when it comes to Auto's, will be very interested in your fault free mileage.

[foss16]

Hi Montana 5

haven't touched the car, just keep getting conflicting advice, so I thought ask Jag. I am now only doing about 6,000 miles a year in the car, mainly weekends, and the gearbox seems fine. The local Jaguar workshop did some tracking for me and said everything seemed fine, but thought to change the oil when everything was ok rather than wait for problems. He seemed to think the oil was £30 per litre and we need 8 litres plus filter and labour. The car otherwise is in very good condition

Foss16

[Roger]

I hope your gearbox luck continues - I had three fitted to my 1999 4ltr S Type in the 6 years of ownership and no I am not a hard or unsympathetic to things mechanical driver.

The first went at 90,000 miles and let go with a loud bang when pulling away slowly from traffic lights leaving me stranded. The replacement - a brand new item from Jaguar came with a 40% discount to reflect that my vehicle was just out of warranty and had always been main dealer maintained.

From the off this second unit didn't feel as smooth as the original and although I complained to the dealership on several occasions (and they flashed the software three or four times) the dealership could find nothing wrong - that is until 15 months later at 115,000 miles (when the 12 month warranty on the replacement item had lapsed) when they finally concurred with me that not all was not well and that I needed another gearbox (it was taking up to 20 seconds to engage drive and even though the engine was just ticking over a good proportion of the time it did so with an almighty thunk that left you thinking you'd just been rear ended). This time Jaguar would only meet 10% of the cost even though the dealership supported me - a gearbox should last longer than a set of brake discs don't you think....?

This third gearbox however performed smoothly (more like the original item) and I never had a problem with it. It was still going strong when I parted company with the car which by then had 186,000 miles on the odometer.

I am lead to believe that the later six speed gearbox as fitted to my current S Type R are a lot less problematical.

[robv12]

so much has been written on the subject of "sealed for life" gearboxes fitted to all cars from the intro of XK8 in 1996

they are not, there is a service procedure for all of them, just that the main dealers will not tell you, and if they do, they do not like doing the job

oil will degrade with use, check out Mike Kennedys article in the magazine re OIL, it says it all,

Check out Mike's long and detailed analysys on here and in the magazine, along with all the other specialists advice on these units

without going into all the ins and outs of each box, and mileages covered or not covered, consider two things

would you run your engine for years, no matter now advanced it is, without an oil change??, NO is the answer, and as for the electonics, would you run your PC for years without an upgarde or reboot??, No is the answer again

Run these gearboxes on the same oil for any legth of time at your peril

[J44EAG]

Yip,

I see my friendship with young Jenner has taught him something over the years. Who said you couldn`t teach the unteachable!!

Broken down oil means reduced lubrication. Add to that the effects of heat, age and pressure and the oil structure simply falls to pieces. Net result, BANG sooner or later.

What always worries me is that despite my training in the subject of oils within the aircraft maintenance industry, my numerous writings on the subject and the numerous postings on these BB`s, togetherwith various articles from others professionally in "the know", that people still persist in questioning the the validity of oil changing in gearboxes. One of the biggest pieces of marketing hype Jaguar ever put out is the idea of sealed "for life". The suggestion is quite ridiculous when considered taken in pure engineering terms. Don`t believe me? Sit tight and wait for the gearbox to melt down. Changing oil or not really is a no brainer. There is no short cut to the issue.

What happens when one goes pop? The first thing one notices is an inability to change gear, transmission bumps and bangs, smell of burning oil often accompanied by blue smoke, inability to drive and perhaps a drop into permanent third gear as a default setting. Drive it in that condition and you will arrive at the gearbox works making a very passable impression of a Royal Navy destroyer laying a smoke screen.

Sure, gearboxes are not so affected by carbon particulate contamination as an engine is, but never the less, oil has a predictable lifespan after which it may develop the lubrication attributes of a ground up pair of old socks! If you need conformation, ask Bob Bate.

Please accept that gearbox oil is a consumable item just like brake pads, discs, filters and rubber pipes. Everything in this world has a finite lifespan after which it has a tenancy to revert to its natural core substance. That is why oil needs changing.

Apologise for the rant but I have been banging on about this matter for years!

Mike

[christopherspeed59]

Here endeth this lesson. Mines being changed tuesday, see you next sunday at Beallieu.

[andypryce]

I have read Mike's articles on gearbox oil change, the problem is finding someone locally who knows what they are doing and will put correct fluid in etc. Does anyone know of a specialist in Liverpool area? My 2006 Diesel has now done 61,000 and though gearbox is fine I would like to get the oil changed having now become worried about it! Sometimes ignorance is bliss...
Andy.

[J44EAG]

I wonder if Bob Bate can help you?

Mike

[andypryce]

God call, thanks Mike, he is just over the water in Birkenhead I believe.

[J44EAG]

There you go, see!

I`m not just good for writing rubbish for the magazines!!

Give Bob my best. Saw him again at Newby for the first time in six years. Great guy.

Mike