Hi there, I am new to this forum and new to Jaguar so any help provided is greatly appreciated.
I just purchased a 2005 Jaguar X type estate a few days ago with only 155,000km. I had the car up on a hoist to inspect for myself, and took it for a test drive. I felt satisfied I was making a good purchase. I drove the car from the point of purchase (private sale) 280km to where I live and dropped it off, against my better judgement, at a big box tire store to just have the car saftied. Not long after they called to say the car was leaking trans fluid from the area around the trans cooler and the lines that supply it. Great!
The shop called me the next day and said the leak could be repaired on the car, unless I wanted to pay $1200 for a new transcooler and new hi/lo pressure lines to be installed. So they fixed the car.
They called me later that day to say that the transmission was nearly empty, so they put in over 7L of a synthetic fluid that the trans tech recommended......
Long story short, I couldnt pick up the car after the work was done because the car wont shift properly.
When I drove it to the shop the car drove amazing, no issues whatsoever regarding the shifting or trans behavior. Even the mechanic I spoke with said "I dont understand, it shifted perfect when I took if for a test drive but after we put the fluid it dont"

My concerns are about the type of fluid, and weather they put enough volume or too much in the car because I have read enough about the trans in these cars to know about their delicat nature.
They never asked me what fluid to put in the car, they did call Jaguar and chose to take the advice of their trans tech, rather then put $54/L fluid in the transmission that Jaguar recommend.

Any advice at all about the best way to handle this is greatly appreciated.

 

You already know that you took the Jaguar to the wrong place, so we'll leave that issue alone. The transmission is a JATCO unit and anyone who works on this must be aware that if he/she confuses the drain bolt with the reverse brake band bolt, the result will be similar to what you describe. The bolts can be easily confused by the unsuspecting and any good transmission shop is aware of this. Your recourse now is to consult a proper transmission shop, ask them if they are familiar with the JATCO 506E (also used in the VW Jetta, the Land Rover, Mazda and others) and if your problem can be related to the reverse bolt being loosened. You then have a case against the "big box" store - because the normal procedure now is to rebuild.
These are great cars - very reliable, but a mistake like this can be very discouraging. Since work will be done in the transmission/transfer case area, have the transfer case fluid changed (75w140 synthetic) and make sure the cooling air scoop for the transfer case is in place. And could they have mistaken the transfer case - which only holds 650 ml of fluid - for the transmission? If your transmission had been nearly empty ( compared to the 7 litres + that they put in) there is no way it would have operated properly when you bought it.
Of course, there may also be another explanation for the problem, but regardless of what it turns out to be, the repair shop is at fault. Please let us know how this turns out - and try not to transfer your discouragement to the car itself, because these are good cars.

 

Thank you for all the Info, I have kept detailed recordings of what exactly they said to me and when. I have quotes and a timeline to support my case. I am confident they will make this right one way or another..... I also found a Jaguar specialist thats not too far away and has been very helpful. I love the look of the car and it was a fantastic drive. I bought the car as a replacement for my Saab 9-3 wagon that was recently written off after I got rear ended.

 

Thank you for the response, has anyone heard of a similar situation ending up with the car being ok after? I have already prepared myself to replace the transmission. I love the look of the car and the first 275km were an amazing drive. This car is a replacement for my Saab 9-3 wagon the was rear ended and destroyed. I havent spent much time in the Jaguar but its clear that its more car than the Saab.

Thanks for the interest and Ill post the results after Monday.

 

James: there were transmission failures with the early (2002-03) transmissions but the later units such as those in the 05 Sportwagon that we both have, are no more troublesome than any other automatic. A fluid change at the kms you have is more than a good idea. The issue is that the shop did something wrong, either out of incompetence or unfamiliarity with the JATCO unit (but perhaps those are really the same thing). You might have an easy fix here but you also might be looking at a rebuild. The rest of the car, assuming it has not been abused and that it has had regular servicing, should prove very satisfactory. Do have the transfer case fluid changed.
These are wonderful road cars. - great for long trips, very comfortable, and as you suggest, very handsome.

 

No matter what happens, the car will be going to the Jag specialist and the Transfer case fluid will most definitly be changed. I really appreciate all the details you listed above, I have no doubt I will be using some of that information to ensure they fix the damage the caused.

 

First thing I would ask them is what fluid did they put in it. There are a few aftermarket that meet the spec for your car that aren't 50 a liter. If it meets the spec I wouldn't be overly concerned with that, if it doesn't then they should be paying for a complete flush of the system at another shop. I'm sure an owner of a slushbox x will have more to say on that subject though.

 

So, no suprise here, I am sure to most of you, the car needs to have the transmission rebuilt. The car apparently drives normally in forward gear but not reverse. All signs point to a mistaken identity of the level check bolt for the anchor bolt for the reverse band. The mechanic who worked on the car has not admitted to anything and they are saying that they had to add 7L of fluid so it had no fluid so basically my fault. I think its a complete lie and theyre trying to cover their rear end, at least the mechanic is. I became very friendly with the transmission shop manager and I believe they will help prove my case as he said he has cleaned up their mess in the past. The service manager was professional and sympathetic this far after I explained what I know about the anchor bolt and he has already offered to pay for damage they may have caused if it turns out to be their fault. So I suppose, worst case, I was quoted 13 hours to remove and replace the transmission, and 9 hours to rebuild. Does this sound reasonable to those with experience in this area? This does not include any other work the may be done, just transmission quote. 22 hours + parts....

 

Is there a link to the service bulletin regarding the anchor bolt, and also a link to a thread about the transmission being further damaged by being driven forward when the reverse band is loose inside the transmission? I think I will have a hard time proving they caused the damage if its not the anchor bolt for the reverse band.

I know its self inflicted, but this wasnt the introduction to Jaguar I was hoping for. But no looking back at this point, so what else to do while the transmission is done? Oil pan gasket? Transfer case fluid, for sure? Trans cooler and lines? Is there an improvement to this transmission cooler available that has proven to be a better replacement?

Thanks again for any suggestions.

 

Have you asked for name of the fluid they put in it? Did you check the fluid at all when you bought the car? I don't see it going anywhere 7 quarts down and that is a whole lot to leak out that it would be tough not to see. I'm curious what fluid they put in and if it meets the specs for the Jatco tranny as I don't think it is a fluid most garages let alone a big box store would stock.

I would be talking to a lawyer as if it drove in there is very little reason it shouldn't drive out.

 

The inside of my transmission, it was very clean inside and no damage or abnormal wear to the any of the soft parts inside.



The reverse anchor bolt seen here had clearly been removed and re inserted.

 

That will sure do it!