Hello world!
Name's Darius. Im new to this forum, but i've owned an S type for exactly one year now.
Little by little i restored it, seeking info from the forums, groups and the workshop manual.
Now im facing a little issue that most s types have had: The squeaky steering sound. I know, there is an additive for that (part no. for other interested people: C2S48887). But, i've decided to do sth else. Since the fluid was so old, ive looked it up in the workshop manual and found that any DEXRON 3 is fine. So i went out and got a bottle of Castrol DEXIII compatible with many specs including ford (pic below), and i did two refreshments ( sucked out old fluid from its bowl, added new fluid slowly to prevent aeration). Drove it 100 km to mix the fluids. Sound did disappear from the first kilometers done. I said, im pleased, and i did a second refreshment, to have mostly fresh fluid, right? To my surprise, the steering wheel got a bit harder, and its not placebo. Now i have two options and i want advice please:

1. add OEM original fluid, in hopes that its makes the steering easy again.
2. add the C2S48887 additive to the castrol fluid, because the OEM fluid could be simmilar to the Castrol one, and the additive is the one that actually makes the steering easy.

and two questions:
Was the steering easier before because the dirt in the old fluid making it thicker? (Technically old oils should be thinner, right?)
Wat is the OEM Jaguar steering fluid?

Manyn thanks!

 

What model year is your S-type? Early models, prior to the first "facelift" in 2002.5 (2003 in North America) used a Ford PS rack, which called for a different spec fluid...

Also, you might want to post a brief "intro" in the New Members section, as the above is your first post here and an intro is the expected thing to do on this forum.

 

Here is a link the Jaguar workshop manual of 2002.5 model year cars onwards.

http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Auto...M-Workshop.pdf

Mellow

 

my bad. i though i wrote it. its a 2003 (facelift interior&engine)
Thank you!

 

Sorry for the second comment. Couldn't find the edit button.

I've uploaded an Intro in the new memb section.

I appreciate the workshop manual! I've checked it but i couldn't find any details about the exact fluid type, besides "dexron 3". i've already used Castrol's variant, and feels harder than before. the system has no air or malfunctions. its just the OEM fluid code or kind that i need to buy. (or should i add jag's additive in the castrol fluid that im using now?)

Many thanks

 

Refreshing the fluid alone shouldn't make the steering heavier, as long as there is no air in the system and there is enough fluid. How much heavier do you feel that the steering has become? Is it always heavy, etc? Have you followed the Power "Steering System Bleeding" instructions?

If the above is OK, you need to check the control electricals, PAS belt, the pump, etc. Are there any steering-related codes stored?

Was any other work done on the car? Suspension work in particular? Are the tyre pressures right? Is alignment about right?

 

Hey neilr!

No other work that could affected steering was done to the car. Just the two fluid refreshments. Fluid sucked out of the reservoir, and added castrol dex III -slowly- to make sure aeration is avoided.

In the meanwhile i've checked the classic parts section on jaguar's website and emailed them, to ask if MOBIL 320 ATF (part no. C2P10363 ) is the right fluid for my model, or is it just for the pre-facelift S types.
Because on their website it says that Mobil 1 320 ATF is used for all 1999-2008 models, but it's got the old 5 speed J gate printed on the bottle.

Screenshot below

 

Update

Jaguar just confirmed on email that MOBIL 320 ATF C2P10363 is the corect fluid for the power steering for my 2003 face lift S type - as well as for the models in the screenshot above.

Many thanks to everyone!

 

UPDATE
it's been one year and a half and no cooing sound after so much time. like i said above i used the mobil 320 without additive from jaguar.
Wondering if dexron VI would be an upgrade?
(i have the ZF rack)

 

i would say leave well enough alone. Your thorough research paid off. Enjoy fruits of your labor

 

Theoretically interesting question. However, you picked the correct fluid in the first place and it is working as expected so I woudn't worry about it. A tiny change in fluid characteristics that the rack wasn't actually designed for isn't likely to be any noticeable upgrade.

The Dexron VI fluids were designed for the Ford/GM joint gearboxes and are a little different to the most recent Dexron III (G) fluids. However, Mobil does say that it is backward compatible. You probably won't do any harm but I expect you will be wasting time and money