All, I recently purchased a 2004 xj8 with 70K miles. The ZFH6 transmission usually does a hard up/down shift (unless i baby the throttle) 1-2 while all other shifts are smooth. I am going to have the usual transmission serviced using the XF recommended fluid. Should i have the mechatronic seal adapter replaced during this service? I have read all of the strings relating to the fluid type, but not much on the pros and cons of replacing the seal during this initial service...thoughts? This is my initial post!!
thanks you this forum, discussions, and knowledge base!!

 

Hi, I did a transmission service including the pan at 70k but did not do my mechatronic sleeve. By 82k it was leaking quite a lot and have just done it all again with the sleeve so from my personal experience I would definitely recommend replacing it and I wish I had the first time round!

 

Aaron, I am referring to the mechatronic seal adapter that I seals the channels from the valve body to the main transmission, not the plug adapter/sealing sleeve going into the top of the transmission body (cylindrical shape), which has a tendency to leak, Is that what you are referring to? I am not sure how you could tell if the mechatronic seal adapter (two rectangular shaped conjoined seals) is leaking because it is inside of the transmission/valve body?

 

Ah ok sorry no I haven't replaced those seals I did read into it but couldn't find enough evidence to suggest it was a 'must' so have not done them. I was indeed referring to the sleeve where the electrical connector goes in.

 

If your going to replace the bridge seal might as well also replace the 4 additional valve body to trans seals...

 

I am considering that 4 seals as well. The jag specialist does not think the mechatronic bridge seal is not necessary at this point cause the tranny is not throwing any codes. I don't think the car had been driven much over the lastmonth or so...put on a couple hundred miles today and the tranny seems the shifting is smoother...At this point, I think I will just stay with standard service and forego the bridge seal...thanks

 

Aaron 3.2, I would have thought that your mechanic would have recommended the sleeve be changed when you did you initial tranny service...fairly standard procedure because the factories do have a tendency to leak. Replacement sleeves addressed the problem and reduced chance of leaking.

 

Yes probably would have done but I am my mechanic and after reading various posts about how tricky the sleeve was to change I thought I would leave it but it was actually really straightforward to do! Oh well you live and learn and I'm sure another fluid change has only done the gearbox good.

 

Did the fluid change improve the shifting performance of the transmission? mine is a little rough from 1-2....

 

I had rough shifting from 1 to 2 but also lurching on acceleration from stop, unless I was extremely soft on the pedal. I'm DIY, so I just replaced the pan, filter, sleeve and added about 6.5 liters of liquid gold. (this is the recommended procedure vs full flush, though full flush is fine).

I never had any codes but the lurching and hard shifting disappeared completely and immediately. You're vehicles miles are @ about the ZF recommendations for a change anyway.

I wouldn't recommend mixing trans fluid brands. ZF recommends their brand.

There are pages of arguments for and against other brands. I'm not going to bother rehashing. I personally use the OEM. Your call on anything different but if you do change to another manufactured brand, do a full flush.
Best of luck.

 

Recently changed pan and oil and did sleeve, bridge seals and tube seals. Sleeve was leaking slightly, original with orange o rings, bridge seal seemed OK, flexible, rubber tube seals were quite hard and easy to crack.
Car has done 177k miles, there were no prior issues, except the squawk 2-3. Now it's quiet and shifting great.
Got all parts from The CTSC.

 

It's made it a little smoother but wasn't really that bad before the change, 1-2 can sometimes feel like a noticeable change compared with the seamless changes between the rest of the gears but I wouldn't say it was bad. I also took my inlet manifold off (V6 petrol) and gave that all a good clean out and had the battery disconnected which has generally made the car feel smoother. Giving the engine a good service can also improve shift quality.

 

All, I had the service completed using the zf recommended fluid using the kit from CTSC, including replacement of the original sleeve. unfortunately, I am still experiencing the same rough shift from 1st to 2nd. So I am going to have a dealer do the reflash then go from their. I now regret no having the bridge and tube seals replaced...but most everyone said at 70K, the service should have taken care of the problem...moving forward!