Hey everyone,

I am very confused on the transfer case fluid change. I have read through many how too's but am still kinda confused. My Jaguar mechanic of many years at the dealer said he has never attempted to change out the fluid and doesn't understand how it can be done with such little room with the automatic trans. Is their a kit I can buy in order to get this done?

I want to change my fluid before it gets bad. I have 52,000 miles on my car currently and want to do it before its too late.

Thanks,
Mike

 

i have recently done this procedure on mines but I have the manual trans mission and in the manuals theres more room to work with then in the automatics nevertheless u should be able to do so just gotta be creative in making a custom fitting that'll fit that 1/2 inch drain plug so that u could fill it with fluid. the fill hole its all the way at the top of the transfer case so if u got the time and money i suggest you have an expert take it a part and fill it from the top.

 

JaguarXKR, I have done this procedure and what you will need to do is to go to the auto parts store and get your hands on a brass radiator drain valve that has a collar on the T-handle (will look like a 357 shell casing attached to the handle). You will then need an adapter (can be had at any hardware store) that adapts from 1/2" NPT threads to 1/4" NPT threads (1/2" on the outside, 1/4" on the inside). From there, you lock-tite the valve to the adapter (red lock-tite) and after it sets up, you will need to file/grind the flats of the adapter off (this allows the adapter to go far enough into the transfer case to make the room you need). Once the flats are smoothed away, you use the fitting on the valve to screw it into the transfer case where the factory drain plug is. From there, you route a tube down through the engine bay to put into the "shell casing". The valve will retract into the transfer case when the valve physically opens to give you a bit more room. As you close it, the valve will extend and help keep dirt out of the end. It isn't as bad as you might think. Granted, if you have gorilla fingers, it will be more difficult. But, I have big fingers and still didn't have that big of an issue.

 

I found it just as easy to tip the car one way to empty the TC ( passenger side up )and then the other way ( drivers side up )to refill it.

 

That's the way I do it too. Quite quick and easy to do and no special tools or fittings. Its 21" under each sill in turn.

 

Yes, Jack up the right side to drain (21 inches as stated), then lower. Jack up the left side (same 21 inches) and fill until it runs out. Cap it. Lower it. Run it a month, and repeat. I ran it one more month and repeated again but I got out clean oil the third time so I don't think that was necessary. YMMV.
I used Royal Purple (80/140... or 70/140... something like that)

You'll be horrified the nasty stuff that runs out the first drain, if you get anything out.

 

I got nice clean tranny fluid out of mine. Now I'm worried.

 

If you got a lot out of it, and it's red and runny, yeah, that'd be a worry.

 

Means I most likely have a bad seal and my tranny fluid is going into my TC? Was kinda hoping it was just the last owner throwing tranny fluid in there thinking it was ok since some cars accept that...

 

Meouch, your first hope could still be right! If the seal was leaking, you'd expect a very murky mix of gear oil and transmission fluid, not clear fluid. Also it wouldn't be long before the transmission started playing up because of a low fluid level.
I'd do some more checks and trials before starting to take the transfer box out!

 

I agree entirely. You might be lucky. I'd start by checking auto trans is full of fluid, refill transfer box with the proper oil and check again in a few weeks.