I have an 04 s type with a 4.2 normally aspirated engine. Having an issue where the transmission seems to slip/surge. In 6th gear at lower rpms(55 mph 1250-1300 rpm) the engine rpm will surge gently up and down about 100-150 rpm. When I press slightly on the accelerator, I hear and feel a rumble from the tranny. The issue is now getting worse and occurring in other gears. If I downshift manually and bring the rpms up it helps but doesn't completely make it go away. The engine is not misfiring and runs smooth so I don't believe it's an engine issue. I had this issue when I first bought the car 6 years ago and it was fixed by a Jaguar dealer under extended warranty. Called the dealer and they do not have the service records and they told me to replace the tranny, go figure. When the issue was fixed the first time I was told the rumble(sounds and feels just like driving on the rumble strips on the edge of the highway) was the torque converter slipping. Can't recall what they did to fix the issue but the torque converter noise was a result of whatever the main issue was. I know for a fact that the tranny was not replaced the first time. I already had a local jag shop(not a dealer) flash the tcm and no luck. He says to replace the filter and fluid and if that doesn't work to replace the tranny ( for 4 grand!!). He says you can replace the filter and fluid by replacing the oil pan on the tranny where the filter is built in. I asked the dealer about that and he says that's not possible, so someone is not telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth yada yada yada. don't really want to start throwing parts/service at it without an idea as to the problem. Ideas, please??

 

This is the most common problem posted about with these vehicles. A quick search will reveal many threads with all the information you could want and more including DIY walk throughs and you will find this topic has been beaten to death twice .

 

Welcome to the forum ukinvestor, please post an intro in the new members area when you get a chance.

 

First thing I did. Saw all possible causes from throttle body failure to tq failure to tranny failure to coolant in the tranny to tcm failure. Looking to narrow it down.

 

Really...

 

I have the same problem... what have you found?

 

(about coolant in the tranny)
Sorry, missed this.

Almost but not quite entirely on the diesel S-Types. UK forum also had a petrol with it, a 2.5 I think.

 

The dealer is trying to sell you a transmission. Run away. As your indie tech correctly said, pan/filter are integrated into a single, replaceable unit.

Periodic fluid and pan/filter change is highly recommended by the esteemed members of this forum. It can even be done by the DIYer if you've got lots of patience and the right tools (though it may or may not solve your particular problem).

As mentioned previously, this topic has been beaten to death on this forum. In addition, there are really good YouTube videos detailing exactly how the fluid-pan change is done, including one posted by ZF, the transmission manufacturer. Since this is the least expensive option, I'd try the fluid-pan change first, then hope for the best while preparing for the worst.

 

Yep.. Mine. 2.5 Petrol. 2003MY

 

Hello UKInvestor - welcome to the forum where (some) members with useful information prefer to tell you "search for it" than actually point you in the right direction!

As Jumpin' Jag Flash says, your car will have the 6 speed ZF transmission and that does indeed have the filter built into the transmission pan. Sadly, the only way to replace the filter is by replacing the whole pan and that is not cheap. The transmission fluid is also slightly more expensive than liquid gold. Clearly your dealer is an idiot for not knowing this and should be avoided like the plague.

Thankfully I have the cheaper (but arguably less smooth) Ford transmission - but a fluid and filter change change is always going to be the first (and cheapest) step.

 

Thanks for the kind words Richard! While admittedly I am getting older, I'm not a complete doofus and did search prior! Guess that's why I actually asked for help (quartzstyper). Figured the jag dealer was blowing sunshine up my **** and discounted him pretty much immediately. Did know about the pan/filter option. Lol on the fluid, $50 liter here, ouch. Roughly 4-5 hundred for that job. Had my local guy, not the jag indie, look at it. He agrees that it might work, but can't say for sure. Have 150k miles so I figured that a tranny rebuild might be more expensive now but safer in the long run as I still love driving her. My local guy managed to get the cost down to 3-3300$. He's a friend of the family so it might be a better price than what John Q. Public might expect?.?. Engine's still smooth as silk and strong. Got satnav premium sound so an enjoyable way to spend my windscreen time! Cheers.

 

What I found (read) was apparently that the tranny coolant line ran through the radiator, obviously, but a crack in the line/connection allowed coolant to leak into the tranny line. Thus buggering the gearbox. I had my local look at the fluid and it was fine, but down almost 2 liters. Had him top it up at $50 ltr, liquid gold as one said, but didn't work. Decided in the long run to rebuild the tranny, see below. Cheers.

 

If it is glycol contamination then make sure you replace your radiator! Would be a short lived recon otherwise :-O
The price sounds good, mine was 3200 pounds....

 

What I found (read) was apparently that the tranny coolant line ran through the radiator, obviously, but a crack in the line/connection allowed coolant to leak into the tranny line. Thus buggering the gearbox. I had my local look at the fluid and it was fine, but down almost 2 liters. Had him top it up at $50 ltr, liquid gold as one said, but didn't work. Decided in the long run to rebuild the tranny, see below. Cheers.