I lifted this from Roadfly S Type, it's a forum almost totally without a membership but included this little nugget today:



xjrrrr on 2009-02-14 at 16:14:06 (posted from: Host: s0106000f66e37da2.cg.shawcable.net IP: 68.146.34.79)


Subject: Re: Cheaper Sources for Shell ATF M1375.4 Fluid ? (5 views)

Message: Gents;
I think things may have changed at Jaguar,,, just had my 112,000km service yesterday and as I plan to keep my 2003 STR had a complete transmission service performed for $395.35cad inclusive of new fluids, conditioners, filter, code check and re-flash...
Cheers,
XJRRRR

 

I'm the guy who started that thread last month, and this is indeed encouraging news. Looks like this much more affordable transmission service deal took place somewhere in Canada. Wonder if transmission service prices have been reduced here in the U.S. as well....

 

Hi Jon,

Thanks for posting it, and I hope you don't mind my bringing it to this forum where more owners could see it.

 

By all means, post up anything that will help out the membership here regardless of where it originated. We're all in this together, trying to maintain our Jaguars as best we can without killing our wallets at the same time....

Thanks to you actual techs for all you do for us shade-tree guys here on these forums....

 

This list of parts and prices was quoted for an '04 S-type but I'm pretty certain the parts are common to all S-types '03-'08, XJ '04-'09, XK '03-'06 with the ZF 6 speed transmission. The prices and part numbers are from the Jaguar electronic parts catalog on-line.

Trans pan with built in filter, includes new gasket, C2C38963 $192.24
Fluid, C2C8432 $53.51/liter with 6 required for pan change $321.06
There are 2 common problems that should be addressed when the pan is removed as well.
Upgraded bolts C2C6726 $1.80 each 21 required $37.80. Late '05 and all '06 and up have the upgraded bolts installed at the factory.
Transmission valve body electrical connector sleeve C2C39599 $11.62.

The total for these parts is $562.72. Even without the bolts and sleeve the total is $513.30, all prices U.S. dollars. If there is a dealer providing a transmission service on any of these cars for less than $400 out the door including labor, a TCM reflash and the parts listed above I would recommend taking your cars there even if it meant a 500 mile road trip.

 

But it all seems so cheap and easy on a computer screen, doesn't it?

 

Wow, I'm driving to Canada to get my trans serviced.... 395 Canadian translates to 317 American.....

 

Does anybody know in what way the bolts are upgraded, apart from having a bigger torx head?

 

bogart:
Search for a poster called "ccc". He has really done a great job of bringing this all together. Including the pan bolt question. So instead of reposting all that's been done. You will find many other things to think about. Several transmission fluid choices too. I am considering changing the dumb integrated plastic pan/filter out for the standard steel pan and replaceable filter that’s used on a different application of this ZF 6 speed transmission.
.
.
.

 

Hi Will do. Whilst you mentioned the steel pan I enquired here in UK re the steel pan and it can be got from Audi dealers but it costs somewhere in the region of 250% of the price of the plastic one from Jaguar!

 

Just looking at that parts list with prices and the estimated labor all I can say is that this is nuts. Isn't this essentially the equivalent of a pan drop, filter & filter change on any other car? Even the $395 "deal" is a lot more than I've ever paid for trannies with a lot more fluid.

Bob S.

 

Yes, it's nuts. That's why the ZF fluid change topic generates so much interest and activity. Combine no dipstick or fill tube with astronomically-priced fluids and parts along with a rather challenging drain-and-fill process, and you understand why no one other than the dealerships is happy about this system....

 

Yes I've followed some of the threads and I'm no where near the service mileage. I understand the no dipstick because so many problems can be introduced unwittingly via contamination.

I'm interested in the alternate metal pan substitution. Has anyone done it? Does it have a provision for a dipstick and or drain?

As I remember this tranny is supposed to be hypersensitive to high or low fluid levels with temperature even being a very significant factor. This alone is nutty. So perhaps a fluid exchange/flush via machine might be a problem unless it's super accurate.

Bob S.

 

If you install the steel pan, You could probably tap and install a drain plug into the lowest side of the pan.

 

The problem is not the lack of a drain plug. All the pans plastic or metal have drain plugs. The problem is no dipstick!!

No the steel pan will not provide a place for a dipstick. It just separates the function of the pan and filter like most all other automatic transmissions. The plastic pan has the filter integral to the pan and cannot be changed by itself.
.
.
.

 

Thanks. Ironically, my Q45 had a dipstick but no drain plug.

 

My 1999 Dodge Ram pickup has a dipstick and no drain plug. To change the fluid, you must drop the pan. Fortunately, these transmissions are essentially bulletproof. Still running the factory fill of Chrysler ATF+3 at just over 59,000 miles on the truck. I'll change it when I do the relatively major 60,000-mile service early next year. I only drive this truck about 4,000 miles a year now....


My wife's 2004 Lexus RX330 SUV has a dipstick and a drain plug. Just changed the ATF in mid-October via drain-and-fill. You don't even have to jack the front end up - you can do it with the vehicle sitting on the driveway. Takes about 20 minutes and about $25 worth of Toyota Type T-IV ATF. A sixth-grade kid could do it. Makes me curse our S-Type's ZF every time I change the ATF in the Lexus (every 30,000 miles due to known weaknesses in the first-generation RX transmissions). The vehicle has just under 106,000 miles on it....

 

I completely agree, thats why Klaus from CTSC is working on a steel pan package deal for our S types, hopefully he will try to integrate a dipstick so that we can check the fluid much easily than what it is right now. Don't know when he will release it, just check on his website for the update

 

Adding a dipstick also adds the hugely convenient feature of being able to pour ATF into the fill tube (assuming Klaus routes the dipstick up into the engine bay where we can check it just like we check our motor oil). No more screwing around with that hard-to-reach fill plug on the side of the ZF that requires a special tool (or a homemade one), and no more having to use a stupid hand pump underneath the car to do the fluid refill. That alone would make Klaus' metal pan rig a no-brainer for me the first time I go to change the ATF on our S-Type....

 

Alrite sorry to burst your bubble guys. I too was intrigued of the low price for a Tranny sErvice from the Jag dealer as what was said earlier in the thread up in CANADA. But unfortunately the Jag dealer in Florida wants $900 for the SErvice, that includes: pan/filter/oil/rubber sleeve change out Yupp and if you bring your own parts the labor involved $500 (4hr job, $125 per hourly rate). Now if you want to go the cheap way out, they have a special machine that does the fluid flushing and brings in new fluid for $289. Only this is done if the rubber sleeve and pan gasket is't leaking. NOw with my calculations its dammmm cheaper to buy the freakn kit that CTSC is selling for like $221.95 give or take(sleeve sold separately $15.48) and you do it yourselves. WAlahhhhhhhh you just saved yourself a whole lotta money

http://www.thectsc.com/index.php?p=c...&parent=8&pg=1

If you still insist on taking your Jag to the dealer to do it, have fun driving across the border to CAnada