Guys, I've been trying to do ATF change and I can't even find a dipstick on the car for the Tranny! I don't have an owners manual, but I think I'll buy one soon from Ebay. Can anyone enlighten me please?

 

It's sealed for life, so there is no "dip stick"

But, that's not to say you can't change the fluid...
here is an explanation from ohnoesaz

Heres a quick write-up. I'll probably have to post this somewhere else to make sure google searches find it...

This was performed on a 2003 X-type 3.0 Auto

First of all, get your fluid right. If you use even slightly wrong fluid then the tranny will have a short life onwards. Fluid is hard to find, but I discovered Valvoline's Mercon V ATF is a substitute for BMW/ESSO LT71141, which is a fluid that Jag names in its specs as useable in the Jag auto tranny. This valvoline fluid is available at checkers and maybe even walmart, around 3.50 a quart. Autozone and pepboys does not yet carry it.

Anyways,

YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR TRANSMISSION FLUID!!! I have 38K miles, and the liquid was dark dark brown, in fact, it was solid brown. Usually if you watch it drain with a light behind it you can see the light as it lightens the liquid... Not this liquid, it was dark brown and there was no hope for it. It was sort of 'coarse' to feel too, not smooth and thin like new fluid.

"SEALED FOR LIFE" my left foot! No wonder so many x-types have transmission failures.

Anyways, you have two options to take: One is safe, costly, and time consuming. The other is somewhat dangerous, cheap, and fast. You pick.

First method is drain, fill, drain fill etc etc. If you do it this way then expect to use 24 quarts during the process, when the tranny only holds between 9 and 10. This method can be great for 'touching up' the fluid every 3,000 miles if you want.

Start by locating the drain under the car. Drain it. You'll only get 3 to 3.5 quarts out this way. The colder the engine the better since more fluid will have seeped back down to the bottom of the tranny.

When its done close the plug, and pour in fluid from above. The plug should be between the battery and the throttle body/airbox area, down in there. I was able to weasle my hand down between the battery, airbox, and front of the car and pop the plastic plug off. People with big hands will need to move the battery.

I can't guarantee you have a nice plastic plug that pops right off... I read about a guy who had a 2002 and had a metal screw that had lock-tite on it.

Find a small tipped funnel and pour in what you took out, around 3-4 quarts. Check fluid level (procedure below). Run the car for a day and do it again. And again. And again.

The liquid WILL clear up, but.... You're going through quite a lot of tranny fluid. THis method is safe though, so don't be too swayed from it.

The other method is dangerous...

In this method you will first drain the 3-4 quarts the regular way, and fill it up the same way. Then you'll disconnect the lower cooling hose at the area it returns to the tranny. Put that end into a bucket. Be prepared for frustration because there is not much room around it when you first unscrew it... Have a ratchet, pliers, wrench etc available, you may need them all as you run out of space.

Run the car. Have it drain into a marked container where you can see how much is flowing out. IT DRAINS FAST. Once 3 quarts flows out then shut the car off. Pour in 3 quarts. Turn on car and 3 more quarts will flow out. Car off, pour in 3 more quarts.

Heres the catch... POURING IN THE REPLACEMENT FLUID DOES NOT AFFECT THE OVERALL LEVEL!!! I have no clue why, but even though I matched the fluids in amount it STILL RAN DRY ONCE I PUMPED 8 QUARTS OUT.

In other words... It pumped out 8 quarts of old oil, and although I was pouring in new oil during it, the new oil was somewhere else in the tranny, because the tranny ran dry and would not shift. So be quick on the car turnoff once you get it all out.

Either way, at this point you've got enough out. Success. Fill it with whatever you need to to equal what you took out.

Now check and adjust the level. Chances are you're under the right amount. There is a level check plug under the car, but I can't exactly explain where. If you're in front of the car staring at the drain bolt, then its to the right, but its located an inch or so upwards out of view. It uses an allen wrench so that will help you identify it.

Turn on the car with the drain closed and the fluid level plug closed. Get the car up to operating temp and shift the tranny around during it.

Jag specs call for using a computer to monitor temps and to do this fluid level check at a certain temp, like 104 degrees F, but I just ran it to normal operating temp.

When you reach normal temp you'll unscrew the fluid level check plug and take it out. If fluid pours out then your level is over, so let it flow out, when it starts dripping then close it up. Youre set.

If fluid does not flow out, keep filling from above until it does.

This method drains a good 8-9 quarts, in fact.. It may just plain get it all now that I think about it... But, if you want to above and beyond the call of duty, you can do the simple method after the dangerous method to see if you can clean the fluid extra step.

Once you're all done turn the car off and clean up.

So simple.

< Message edited by ohnoesaz -- 2/20/2007 12:00:40 PM >

 

When its done close the plug, and pour in fluid from above. The plug should be between the battery and the throttle body/airbox area, down in there. I was able to weasle my hand down between the battery, airbox, and front of the car and pop the plastic plug off. People with big hands will need to move the battery.

- I have no plug between the battery and the throttle body/air box area since my battery is in the trunk of my car and I can find any plugs or such things in my car. I will look for it again today but I'll have to wait until Friday to see where the level check is at on the tranny. Good right up though. I had read it before.

 

Forgot to ask, what engine you have?

 

3.0

 

You have not stated the model year of your car but I suspect a earlier one going by the picture? If so it is a "Ford" 5R55N box (5 speed) which uses Mercon V. I got a transmission specialist to do mine, complete ATF and filter change including the torque convertor - £99. Saved me getting dirty and I could not havechanged the ATF withinthe TC.
The X Type has a Japanese JATCO box and is totally different! The later S Types have a ZF box, not sure what fluid it uses.
Hope this helps.

Cheers

 

I might have to take it to a tranny specialists to get this done, since I'm sure the fluid hasn't been changed since it left the dealer with 0 miles.

 

Yes, and it also sounds like you have the 55N box....so the instructions I posted won't do you any good....sorry