Visited my local mechanic today after noticing a neat little puddle accumulating on my garage floor every night underneath my 04 XJ8.

After careful inspection, it was determined there is a hairline crack (and I do mean hairline) at the upper right hand side of the transmission pan. It is ever so slight but is producing a moderate leak.

My local shop bowed out after obeserving the job and assuming it would be too difficult/pain in the rear of a task for them to perform. I contacted the nearest dealer in Louisville for an estimate for repair (who never called me back, btw) and was told the replacement process was nothing short of performing nuclear fusion. Temperature checks, special tools, yada yada. Is this truly a "dealer only" task?

I am not doubting the techs at said dealership but I've perused some posts on here and it seems some owners are doing this themselves. Is this indeed possible? What "special tools" are required, if any? Should the gasket be replaced as well? (I assume it should be) Anything that poses great difficulty in removal/installation?

I have located an OEM ZF Pan for $110.00 shipped and a gasket for $32. I believe this is a reasonable price and need to know if anything additional, besides fluid, is needed for the task. How about the bolts holding the old pan in place? Reusable?

Please tell me anything I need to know. I appreciate the help so much and am at your mercy. Thanks in advance for the replies...

 

Goobe, I believe that you have the ZF 6HP26 gearbox correct?

If so, there is a very common leak that is outlined in this thread (https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...ics-faq-30991/)

I know this was taken from the S Type secton but it is the same gearbox. Several members (including myself) have experianced this electrical O-ring failure.

I would be looking at that as a source of your leak.

 

I'm with Rick, if you take a look at the ZF troubleshooting guide in the S Type FAQ's I think you will see that they mention the possibility of mistaking a leaking sleeve with a leaking pan gasket.

 

Always take the cheap cure route first, it will probably work most times. You can always do the more expensive option later if it doesn't work. Doing it the other way round is heart-attack territory !

And No, changing transmission fluid is not equal to preparing a Saturn rocket for a moon trip, it is quite straighforward, but needs the diagnostic tool just so the mechanic can keep an eye on the fluid temperature whilst re-filling. I had a similar job done on my previous car, a Rover 75 with a Jatco box. It took the mechanic about 15 minutes, and I watched as he did it.