Gearbox

[jaglover]

I have a 2003 XK8 and I had a problem with the gearchange in that it sometimes clunked when taking off from stationary presumably the change form 1st to second.
I had the gearbox serviced by a Jaguar specialist about 18 months ago but it didn’t seem to cure the problem. I now have got used to soft footing the takeoff and the problem is bearable and not getting any worse.
However now the gearbox seems to have developed a whining noise which occurs in the low to mid range gears and mainly when the engine is warmed up.
Is this indicative of gearbox oil shortage or can anyone suggest any other cause and is it likely to get worse and cause any damage or failure of the gearbox?
Advise please

[mike020150]

You say, 'serviced' but it's not clear whether that means the box had a 'reflash' of the electronics and/or a gearbox oil change. These are the starting points for issues with this box. If you had one done, it may need the other. Also, it's important that the gearbox has the correct Jaguar/ZF fluid as well as the correct fill level. Boxes refilled with cheaper fluids are known to work for a while and then fail prematurely. Mike.

[chrisphiljag]

Hi, new member to the site, had to post this one, had my gearbox oil changed last spring,1997 XK8 CAB at a jaguar specialist where I live in France, I was charged £850 for the pleasure, £400 for the oil, 3 hours labour plus VAT. Just needed to rant Phil

[Andy P]

Hello jaglover,
I take it you have the 4.2 engine with the ZF 6 speed gearbox.
If you don't then this wont apply.
The ZF6HP26 Transmission does not often give problems unlike the ZF5HP24 which is fitted to the previous model and the X308.
If you the do have the ZF6HP26 you might find this post quite interesting from Jaguar Forums.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xk8- ... el-203967/

Hope you find it interesting jaglover.
Hope you get it sorted.
Take Care and good luck.
Andy

[jaglover]

Sorry to be so late coming back on this I have been away for the winter,
the gearbox service included reflashing and the oil used cost £380 and I was assured by Sheffield Prestige that it was the correct oil.
Unfortunately the whining persists and seems to be getting worse with the main noise occurring in the lower gears on take off and acceleration.
i have asked a “transmission specialist “ who seems to think it will need a new gearbox.
Any suggestions please including sources of recond boxes etc.

[jaglover]

Hi again,
Additional information tothe above.
The car drives smoothly and powerfully with excellent response on gearchanges except for an occasional lurch in changing from first to second and no sign of fault codes or fault lights ,just that infuriating whine,which started about a year ago. The car has done just over 76000 miles.
Looking at the forums I find plenty of instances of gearbox problems but mostly on changing gear. I have not read anywhre about gearbox whine.anyone else had this problem?

[3.8etypephil]

Hi again,
Additional information tothe above.
The car drives smoothly and powerfully with excellent response on gearchanges except for an occasional lurch in changing from first to second and no sign of fault codes or fault lights ,just that infuriating whine,which started about a year ago. The car has done just over 76000 miles.
Looking at the forums I find plenty of instances of gearbox problems but mostly on changing gear. I have not read anywhre about gearbox whine.anyone else had this problem?

It's very unusual for these gearboxes to give trouble at such a low mileage; are you certain that the whine is not coming from the differential?
The lurch is usually cured by a reflash.

[jaglover]

Hi again,
I dont think the problem is the diff as the whine only occurs in the lower gear ratios, but we have a ZF specialist in Sheffield so I am trying him this week. I will post any progress. Thanks for your interest and replies

[jaglover]

Hi ,with regard to the whine on the XK8 gearbox, I have had it into a ZF specialist who thinks it sounds like the pump may be at fault. As I have no knowledge of gearboxes I was not aware there is a pump in the gearbox. Anyway the diagnosis is that he will have to have the box off to inspect it and that will cost around £1400 plus whatever they find is faulty. So for now I am saving up my pennies to have this done and running the car locally only. Jaguars really are expensive toys aren’t they?
Any further suggestions ( other than a Viking funeral) will be welcome.

[mike020150]

If you think Jaguars are expensive to maintain, think again. To replace a clutch /dual mass flywheel on a run of the mill VW car costs the thick end of £2K these days at a main dealer! Conventional automatic gearboxes use hydraulic pressure to change gears. Hence, they have internal pumps to generate the necessary pressures and to lubricate the gearbox bearings. Mike.