Automatic transmission fluid.

[christopherspeed59]

How do i check the oil level in the auto box, Is there no dip stick?
Should i change the oil as the car has done 115,000 miles, it drives fine but i think it might be a good idea. The car has Jaguar service history up to 70,000 miles and then its a bit patchy.

[larryd]

I have an 2008 sov estate 2.2D 65000 on the clock.
There is no dipstick for the aoto box sealed for life Jaguar say.
However in the near future I will find someone who can do this work as I am far from happy with this concept.
Larry D

[J44EAG]

Sold as sealed for life, but not one of the better ideas in the long term.

Refill can be done via the breather but you will need a bent pipe linked to a refill pump. Access is not easy.

Bristol Transmissions recommend oil changing every 24k miles. With such a regime, any minor wear particulate gets removed by a special machine and oil in the gearbox, oil cooler and the converter. Draining and refilling a converter fitted to a car is NOT a DIY possibility. There is no drain bung fitted. Fresh oil will help preserve reliability and increase the possibility of the gearbox functioning to a good long life.

Just changing gearbox sump oil is only a fraction of the oil within the system so it is only a partial job. High mileage cars that have covered a high mileage without an oil change will without doubt be subject to accelerated parts wear. That particulate builds up as mileage increases due to oil breakdown. The more mileage that has been covered, the more wear will occur and consequentially more particulate accumulates in the system. New oil installed in oil gearboxes is not always a good idea due to the detergent effect of the new oil.

In determining whether to change the oil on a high mileage car, I`d suggest a sample of oil be extracted from the gearbox. If the oil is yellow or just brown, then you could probably have a complete oil change done without ill effects. If the oil comes out black, then it will have become burnt, oxidized, worn out and be contaminated with wear particulate. If the oil is black, little will be gained by changing oil. The damage will have been done and it must be accepted that the gearbox is probably living on borrowed time.

That is about the score.

Mike

[almcl]

Sold as sealed for life,

No it wasn't.

The term used in all the Jaguar literature I've seen is "Filled for Life"

There's a drain plug, a refill procedure and a recommended 'severe use' service interval of 30,000 miles.

Jaguar dealers don't do it as part of a routine service as Jaguar claim that under 'normal use' it is not necessary but the dealers will do it if requested, for a price. There's even kit available.

Where did this sealed for life business start ?

[J44EAG]

I heard the phrase at the first S-type Seminar. Seemingly it has stuck around.

"Filled for life" seems a far better terminology and upon a bit of brain scratching recall I have also heard that as the Jaguar output on the subject.

Nicely spotted, Al.

Mike

[Martin_S]

Hi, my local dealer will do it for £250, sounds a lot, but it's a complex procedure involving measuring transmission temperature, removing battery and tray to access the filler etc. I'm going to have it done as soon as I've saved up. Martin.

[IanKnight]

Hi All,
First and formost I would like to say that I am not a CAR person....BUT...I have just purchased a Jaguar X-Type 2.0 SE V6 car with 42500 miles on the clock. I believe that it is a 2005 model.........
I have purchased it from a really nice garage in Long Bennington near Newark. It has been serviced and MOT'ed as part of the the deal. A friend of mine who is a car chap has advised me to get the Automatic gearbox oil and filter changed. I mentioned this to the garage who sold me the car. There response that it it is a sealed unit and should be good for 150,000 miles. On that basis they told me not to worry about it.
Should I bother pursuing this or should it be a priority to take it to a Jaguar dealer here in Leicester to see if this work should be done?.

Many thanks in advance.
Cheers Ian.

[J44EAG]

Any experienced Jaguar owner or indeed any other make of car, always needs replacement gearbox oil and filters at the stated service interval, Ian.

Ten years ago we struggled with blown gearboxes and the "filled for life" nonsense that even Jaguar put out at the time. Now the general situation and dealers myopic attitudes have had to change. "Filled for life" cost owners masses of grief and hard cash when their gearbox suddenly blew up. A replacement, rebuilt gearbox will usually set you back around £3k. Now that the need for regular gearbox oil changing has become the accepted norm, spending £350 on a gearbox oil change becomes a far sighted action that can only but help a gearbox last rather longer.

The problem is that with 150k miles covered with presumably no oil changes done to date, wear will have accumulated and a considerable amount of life will have been taken off the remaining gearbox life expectancy. Upon draining of that oil, one would expect it to come out in a very blackened condition with its lubricating properties being almost non existent. In other words, that gearbox could be well on its way to eventual failure. I know this is not what you would wish to hear, but that is what so many of us have experienced at sometime within our own Jaguar ownership. We are all rather the wiser having had to cough up for an unexpected blow up.

I would suggest that you do have the gearbox oil changed at the earliest possible opportunity and accept that you might need a gearbox replacement at some time in the future. Having had that oil changed, you then drive the car in the knowledge that the gearbox will have some wear and might need attention at a later date.

A main dealer should be able to change the oil without any problem. Perhaps a better option would be to find a local Jaguar Independent operator who is willing and able to do the work and will be rather kinder to your pocket at the same time. One more option exists. Many reputable transmission rebuild businesses exist in major towns and cities. Some offer oil changing facilities and will also advise on any concerns as a result of this car presumably never having had any previous gearbox attention.

Do ensure that whoever you engage to do the work re-fills the gearbox with the correct grade of oil. DEX111 in your transmission will kill it at a stroke!

Mike K

[IanKnight]

Hi Mike,

Thank you so much for your quick and very helpful reply.
I collect the car next week. I will take your advise and get a reputable Jaguar specialist to do the necessary oil and filter change.
A very merry Xmas!.
Cheers Ian.