I posted some notes in other topics about noise and trans fluid level, so I thought I would post the final outcome.

I found the trans fluid extremely low and no fluid in transfer case, completely dry. The last owner @!#$!@#$.

Replaced fluid with some off the shelf products since the right stuff was unavailable. The fluid that drained from the trans was very dirty even after flush which indicates it is failing. So I rolled the dice, used cheap fluid (mfg spec as replacement) to see what would happen since it was already failing. Trans finally gave out.

Had it towed to AAMCO, it took two weeks and $5000 and the car came back to me running better than ever. Gas milage went from 21 to 24.5; an expensive way to save on gas. AAMCO said off the shelf fluids often have detergents which degrade the non-metals in an older trans faster than stock fluid but the trans was on its way out anyway. Internal metal items worn and several cracks on one of the drums known for failure. They first tried to get Jag fluid but were put off by the price. VW and Mercedes use the same trans (different valving)and similar fluid. The got the MB fluid at half the price.

I was impressed by this dealership, I got the standard one year warranty which they apologized could not be longer, cleaned the car, gave me the keys and I am happy. I took it back for an inspection two weeks later, everything looked good; they even let me get under and look while it was up on the lift.

Yes I screwed up on the fluid but the trans could not be saved from the point of last owner running it dry. I did buy the car at lower than suggested retail, so I knew I would be putting money into it so I saved my pennies. Auto Transmissions use fluid, it degrades, it evaporates, it gels when overheated and cooled repeatedly, synthetic, petroleum based, doesn't matter. Sealed for life is marketing babble.

Bottom line: I bought a used car for under retail, I knew the weak points of the car, I decided to take the cheap way out, I nursed it along for several thousand miles, after 80,000 miles something broke. I paid to have it fixed.

But I got the car I wanted, a Jag. Excellent in the snow, wet leaf covered pavement, all wheel drive, wonderfull smelling leather interior, sunroof, British Racing Green, great radio, growling exhaust, dim lights, gremilns, leaper on bonnet, the basic frame work of the XF, not as fast as a BMW, good gas milage, money pit.

But a JAGUAR. That is why I bought it, would I get another, YES; another X-Type without hesitation.

 

Originally I used the Valvoline High Milage fluid. From what I read and what Valvoline responded with (no one else responded to my questions, not even Jatco) the fluid met specs. But again, it was already failing.

AAMCO changed out the entire trans and transfer case as a unit. I have found it supplied by a rebuilder in Michigan for under $3000 and was going to do it myself but add transportation returning the old unit for core charge, >9quarts of fluids, time under the car, wife yelling I spend too much time in the garage, I figure I got a bargain over the reported charges by dealerships. BTW the closest Jag dealer is over 30 miles and AAMCO was in town about a mile towing.

The charging pipe is under the battery case, car needs to be elevated and running when checking fluid level at the stand pipe and a the right temperature (the trans temp stays at the recommended temp for a short period of time). I had the car SAFELY in the air, removed the battery and case, put just the battery back without the case which gave me enough room to access the plug on the charge pipe. (Check out the Jag tech site, pay the day charge and download everything you can get your hands on, lots of info.)

THIS IS DANGEROUS, I DO NOT RECOMMEND A DIY'ER DO THIS.

If you have high milage (>45K niles), noobvious trans failing indicators (slipping, burning smell etc)and no record of the fluids being change, I would recommend going to the dealer, demanding a full fluid flush and refill. It would be worth $700, or buy an extended warranty (if you feel you can find one that will cover the trans), or take your chances as I did. Life is a gamble, I haven't won the lottery yet but I still hope.

Jag-Genuis, the comment about the XF, I watch Top Gear on BBCa, I got the comment from one of the episodes in which they reviewed an XF and they made the comment. I watch TV to be entertained not educated or accurate info.

My milage is combined city/highway average. The front left tire is wearing on the inside and I need to replace both fronts to match the rear tires also I suspect the front brakes are dragging and plan to replace as I did the rears. Then an alignment. Can't do it all at once even with DoBU's stimulus tax rebate.

 

[/quote] Would that be the same as theMaxLife ATF?..Thanks

Sorry, yes Maxlife.

 

AAMCO went with a fluid spec'ed by Mercedes Benz. Since they warrantied the work, it's their specialty, and it was recommended by the trans rebuilder, and no other fluid had been in it prevously, why not?

I don't think I would put it into a unit that had the original fluid that has been cooked to the point of discoloration.

However, in the interest of enthusiastic discussion, perhaps some one with more experience could review the MB fluid could provide better insight.