X150 gearbox oil

[DOROTHY]

Hi,
I have a 2006 X150 which has an oil leak around the gearbox area. This appeared after hitting an unmarked sleeping policeman. Can anyone tell me if the gearbox oil in this car is red like most, or if it is clear like engine oil. I had the gearbox serviced about 300 miles ago and has been leak free since. The only other thing I can think is that it might be the oil that is in the air conditioning system. Any help would be appreciated.
Rob

[Astromorg]

If the correct ZF Lifeguard oil was used to service your gearbox, then yes, it does have a similar colour and consistency to engine oil. It does, however, have a very different, distinct smell! Difficult to describe, but definitely nothing like engine oil.

When they serviced the gearbox, did they include a change of the cable entry gland to the 'box. It's a common point of leakage, requiring the sump and filter combo to be removed to get access to its locking arrangement, so best done as a matter of course during an oil change.

If it was AC system oil I think you would by now have noticed a fall off in AC performance as gas escaped with it.

[DOROTHY]

Hi,
Thanks very much for your advice. I did have the cable entry gland changed at the service, so I don't think it could be that. The oil that has leaked does not have a particular smell that I have noticed, but I will double check that. The oil is seems to be quite thick and not as thin as the engine oil. I did not notice any drop off in the a/c as I had the heater on. My car is now in the repairer who seems to be mystified as to where it is coming from. I will give him your info and see what they come up with.
Thanks again, and I will let you know the outcome.
Rob

[DOROTHY]

Well, I have now received the bad news from my specialist. I forgot to mention that I hit the bottom of the XK on a "sleeping policeman" shortly before the leak started. There was no warning that these things were on a very small and twisty back country road, and I was only doing about 20 MPH, However it was a vey big bang from underneath, and I have cracked the plastic sump on the gearbox. Very annoying as I had the previous gearbox service carried out only about 200 miles ago. So another bag of gold needed!!!. Good job this is the best car I have ever owned. So beware of these bloody things in the road. Thanks anyway for your help.
Rob

[Astromorg]

That's an unfortunate event! Hopefully, with the sump being plastic, it's absorbed all the damage and hasn't messed up anything even more expensive.
Have you not got a good case to get the local authority to pay up if the SP was unmarked? Must be worth a try.