Auto Gearbox replacement oil

[sheldon1]

I have arranged for my local garage to replace the Auto gearbox oil on my 2000 Jag 3.0s type,
when they carry out my MOT.

Do I need to replace the filter aswell or just clean it.

Any tips to pass onto the garage before they start.

Regards

Paul

[J44EAG]

Paul,

The Ford 5R55N has a washable filter element within, together with a magnetic sump plug. The sump holds a couple of litres of oil but the majority is held in pipes, the torque converter and the oil cooler.

Whilst the oil cooler can be drained with its pipes, the converter has no drain facility, so unless the garage has "full flush£ equipment, only a partial oil change is possible.

Attention should be paid to the colour of the oil which is removed. A black oil means the oil is burned and lubrication quality has largely failed. Dark brown indicates a clutch wear issue and a quantity of metal particles indicates mechanical wear.

The gearbox may be refilled via the breather on the top of the gearbox with the car transmission temperature only being allowed to reach a set temperature at the time of refill. A software reflash is often carried out before a car is returned to its owner.

Mike

[stypesteve]

Hi Paul, i had my gearbox oil changed last year on my 2004 2.5 s type, I had new filters fitted at the same time just because I preferred to have all new parts put on and thought it might save money in the long run regarding hourly rates etc. Hope this helps.

[J44EAG]

5 and 6 speed gesr boxes are completely different, Steve..

The Ford five speed has a washable filter.

The ZF gear boxes on 2002.5 cars have a filter/sump arrangement which cannot be washed out. The recommended ZF service interval is every 60k miles covered.

The Ford unit is rather more of a curio. Filled for life.....thats what Jaguar said at the launch. We have all learned a bit since then. A similar 60k service interval for those boxes also would seem prudent. There can`t be many original boxes of that type still in service. Most will have had to be reconditioned by now.

Had a 5R55N blow up on me about eight years ago. Reckon on at least £2k to have one reconditioned.

Mike

[poprivet]

Filled for life.....thats what Jaguar said

A more accurate description is 'Filled until dead'

[sheldon1]

Thanks Mike & Steve,
I am pleased to say My Jag 3.0S type has done 150K with one previous Auto Gearbox oil replacement.

So doing quite well !

Paul

[J44EAG]

Oil changes rule OK.

150k on the same gearbox must be something of a record. The intermediate oik change has held the box together. With another change I would certainly be interested at a later date to see if it is still working well. Keep piling the miles on!

A few hundred quid spent at the right time is money exceedingly well spent.a very great shame some of us learned the hard way. Me included at just 52k but then the car gad an issue sorted at 38k. I feel sure someone put ordinary Dextron11 in it instead of the correct oil. The first sign of trouble was an oil leak from the gearbox tail shaft oil seal. That was the back bearing collapsing........

Mike.

[sheldon1]

Mike,
What grade of Autogear box oil do you recommend for the Jag S type ?

Paul

[J44EAG]

Mercon V is the usual fluid for the 5R55N.

NB. Oil changes DIY fashion, as a total quality job are not really ideal. Filling is difficult and the transmission temperature is critical A professional gearbox reconditioner with the correct equipment is a much better proposition. There is more to the job than meets the eye.

When ever I have a requirement for a gearbox oil change, I put the work out to the right guys in the trade. If something goes wrong after the change, at least you have some comeback. These are sophisticated cars which were designed to be maintained by garages with the right equipment.

Mike