Thanks again, Vance. I hope I don't have to change our factory fill of ZF Fluid for a long, long time. The car is approaching 48,000 miles and there are currently no signs of a leak at the sleeve position. I'll be under the car doing an oil & filter change in a few weeks. While I'm there, you can bet that I'll be looking at the transmission components with a microscope....


Rick,

Was your ZF Fluid still a bright golden color, or had it begun to turn brown? And did you notice any metal shavings or other debris? Also, is there a magnet in the pan to pull any metallic debris down to the bottom and hold it there?

 

The funny thing was when I drained the old fluid, Ray was standing there and said " oh boy, that fluid is burned, look at the color". I then began my explanation that the fluid is gold in color rather than the usual red, he was floored.

To answer your question(s) at the 54,000 miles on vehicle, the fluid was see through gold, I put a few drops on a white paper towel and looked like new, NO burnt smell and no shavings of any sort! (Remember back when I thought of micro-straining the old stuff and reusing, it might have been plausible). There are 2 magnets attached to the pan, there was a slight (very slight) black film on both, but again nothing to raise any type of flags.

Oh and on the highway drive about 10 miles, I could not tell that anything was done, meaning that the vehicle shifted as normal. Even when I jumped on it smooth as silk. Even though all is well, I am taking it back to Eddies friday night and first thing saturday I am rechecking the level (free of charge).

 

Great report, Rick. Keep us posted....

 

Here are the pics of the ATF hand pump I used. It was actually a boat inboard/outboard pump with an attachment on the end of the tube, I just removed the attachment for the outdrive. Seems not everyone knows what they look like.

 

I know I haven't been around much lately because of some family issues but I just wanted to say thanks for another great post.

I'm really curious to see how this pans out in terms of using the castrol fluid instead of the Jaguar Liquid gold.

George

 

Welcome back, George. Hope the family issues are now sorted....

Rick and I discussed fluid options (via PMs) before he chose Castrol. I think he'll be fine. It meets the Shell M1375.4 specs that the ZF transmission supposedly requires, and it is far less pricey than ZF Fluid (less than one-tenth the cost). For out-of-warranty S-Types like ours (and therefore some of us have a higher risk tolerance), I believe that the Castrol Multi-Import ATF will do just fine. If I had to change our S-Type's fluid today, I wouldn't hesitate to go with Castrol....

 

Hey Joycesjag, I'm about to do this on my XK8 and I just found your thread. I'm curious about your choice of transmission fluid. I read on another forum where someone used the Castrol Multi Import ATF, but I just went to Castrol's website and they say it isn't to be used where Mercon SP is specified. The Lincoln Navigator uses a 6HP26 transmission, and Lincoln (Ford) says that it is supposed to use Mercon SP.

I just found this TSB from Ford. http://www.aa1car.com/library/ford_tsb_06144.pdf Go look at page 3. In the transmission table it shows the 6HP26 transmission over towards the right. It says that Mercon SP is the only fluid to be used in the 6HP26 transmissions. There is also a warning note that says use of any other fluid can cause transmission damage. I had been contemplating using the Castrol fluid, but that TSB from Ford has scared me away from it. I think I'm going to either buy the Mercon SP or Redline D6, which meets the Shell spec for the 6HP26 transmissions.

 

Responded to Reverend Sam via PM

 

Just replaced the pan and bolts...pretty easy however the sleeve will not come out for the love of God! Is there a magic tool, touch, prayer or ???? To help it come out!

 

I'd be stuck if the new one did not provide enough clues. Usually you can figure how parts clip together but in this case?

 

Lt. it may be to late to swap out the sleeve if you have replaced pan/filter and trans fluid.

You see there is a white tab inside the pan/filter that you have to pull down while the pan/filter is off the transmission to unlock the electrical sleeve. The sleeve will then twist out it helps if you have a pair of pliers handy to aid in twisting.

You have to take note of the little tab on the inside of the sleeve itself for replacing.

 

After I sat down with a beer and went over the tranny manual. Luckily I had a spare gasket and it all went well. The sleeve was the original version and it lasted 132k miles which is not bad. We did change the fluid at 50k and 100k, but never the filter or sleeve since neither leaked!

Today is front strut day with bilstein
Tomorrow is radiator, water pump and thermostat day
After that is valve cover gasket and spark plug day
After that ....

 

Sheesh sounds like what we had to do to Joyces Jag at somewhere around 42.

Have fun!

 

Good luck, hope it goes well!

 

Well fellows, here it is almost 5 years later since I did the tranny sleeve. Joyce and I still own "joycesjag". My wife has put on some 30k miles since this original post. The Castrol Multi Import has NOT let us nor the transmission down. I have personally just taken the vehicle on a 1,500k trip through the mountains of Va. and West by god Virginia. WOW for a 3.0, V6 what a freakin' awesome experience! Oh and 2 you STR boys I highly doubt that your V8 ***** would keep up!

I have read that Castrol Multi Import is no longer is an alternative ATF for the ZF gear boxes. In our case it has proven itself as a leading alternative.

Drive on.....

To Norri......EEEEeeerrrrrrtttt!

 

Keep them spinning Rick!!

 

Good report, Rick....

Castrol tech support told me a year or two ago that their Multi-Import ATF (now renamed Transmax, I think) is no longer recommended as a Shell M1375.4 alternative fluid. You and I knew it met those specs back when we discussed it prior to your deciding to use it for your July 2010 drain-and-fill, so I believe that Castrol's current reluctance to recommend it for the ZF 6HP26 is strictly due to legal/liability CYA reasons. Just as I believe my S-Type will continue to do well with its current blend of original Lifeguard 6 and Mercon SP, I believe joycesjag wil continue to run just fine with its current blend of Lifeguard 6 and Castrol Multi-Import ATF....

I still want to do one more drain-and-fill after my car hits the 90,000 mile mark to use up the remainder of my Mercon SP stock and ensure that my S-Type's fluid is mostly fresh. I look forward to you, Wayne, and me getting together again and knocking that job out a few months from now....