Big Fun Changing my Trans Fluid
 

First off this is not a hard or even messy (compared to some GM and Ford products I've done) and you do need some specialized tools like-
Watch this vid first A way to get the car at least 1 ft. high, and level off the ground
A cut down 8mm Allen.
A way tho read the trans temp
at least 10 qts new fluid, mine took a little over not counting spillage 8
Dealer wanted $700? I did it for about $200.
Pics

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I did manage to bugger up the original trans Drain Plug, TREAT EVERY NUT, BOLT and PLUG on these cars as if it's a one time shot in removing or installing them. You will need a 8mm ball or cut down head Alllen wrench for this thing. If not you'll be dropping the tail of the trans to use a spline type easy out..LOL

It does look easy. Even though I almost enjoy changing the fluid on my Lincoln Town Car because you just pull the hose for the cooler and pump out 3 quarts at a time by running the engine and fill 3 quarts and repeat. Gives a good feeling of a very fresh and complete blood transfusion.

What year is your car? The video is for the 4.2L and I am wondering if there are any differences for this procedure.

What fluid did you end up using? Why did you change it? Were you having issues or are the miles getting up there on your car?

Mines a 2010, but the process is the same for all ZF 6HP26 transmissions.

No Issues, but I'm just not into extended drain anything! I used Red line fully synthetic D6, The Blue stuff is Redline shock proof lightweight gear oil.

I've always had a small cold shift issue with my trans (1st shift when the trans is cold is a bit harsh unless I baby the throttle) so I've followed the trans posts pretty closely. Most say you have to use the ZF Fluid or you risk shifting issues. Of course that ZF fluid isn't cheap. I ran through the level check procedure last year and topped the fluid off with some . I was hoping my cold shift issue was due to low fluid. Unfortunately the top off didn't fix it so I may do a drain/refill soon.

Here is a pretty cool trans tear down for the ZF 6HP26 (for the XF with the 6 speed like mine) which I found while randomly searching for trans info: ZF 6HP26 Teardown

Well I can tell you after 55kmi, my fluid was pretty nasty. I've decided to do the fluid every 30k and the pan every 60k. For all of its electronic sophistication the ZF trans is wonderfully simple mechanically compared to the GM THM400 and Ford AODs in my past.
No shift issues as of yet (About 100mi since the fluid change) gonna do a Cajon summit climb today (820ft to 4200ft elevation in 15mi) so any issues should show up LOL. Seat of the pants tells me the ZF likes the Red Line, and Red Line would not recommend it if it put a hurt on the ZF, I also followed Red Lines recommendation of their D4 tran fluid for the Jags PS fluid.

Is this the fluid you used then:

Yep, cheaper on EBAY though. I had mine shipped from a Red Line distributor.

Update, 89º trip up Cajon summit was non eventful, trip down was a crawl, Trans is very adaptive using grade logic engine braking. This car just amazes. Job done!

I agree!!




It's a real shame these cars don't have a dipstick tube, or some other way to fill the transmission from above. Before the '09 XK, I had an '01 Lincoln LS, and I believe they use the same, or a very similar transmission. I wasn't able to change the fluid in it, either, but during my ownership, there were two factory TSBs that required the drop of the tranny pan, so the fluid got changed twice.....

No. The Lincoln LS used the Ford 5 speed for it's entire production run from 2000-2006. Ford never upgraded it to the ZF 6 speed.

But you are right that it also does not have a dip stick either and you fill it roughly the same way as the 6 speed ZF.

The Lifeguard fluid is about $19/liter now so it's only a bit more expensive.
I used the Lifeguard fluid.
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Thanks for posting the video and walking through the process.

80,000 miles on my car and I still haven't changed the fluid... Planning on doing that soon.

1. Watching the video and reading some of the comments... the pan itself is changed with the fluid?

2. Is using an IR temperature gun an adequate way to measure the fluid?

Cheers, Will

The pan has a drain plug, but with 80kmi I'd change the pan and fluid.
An IR gun worked fine for me. And while not as accurate as a sensor in the fluid, I feel it's the next best thing.

Got it... great advice.

You say 10 liters? The folks at CTSC say that it should only take 4.5 - 6 liters... Want to verify with you so I have everything on hand to do the job, as the lift I use is about 15 miles from home.

Cheers, Will

I had 12 quarts to start, ended up with about 4 quarts left. Just follow the videos instructions.

This is what you want if you have the ZF 6 speed transmission, the kit is complete:

Oil change kit for 6HP26/28/32
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Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar
2015 JCNA National Slalom Champion Class M
Current: '08 S-Type 4.2 "Satin Edition" (250.06 whp / 259.67 torque)
Past: '05 X-Type 3.0/auto Jaguar Racing Green

Excellent information!! Thanks for posting.

+1, that's a job for Christmas....

>that's a job for Christmas....

Good, but unless you've done one before (and on a Jaguar) make sure to read up. Correctly filling the tranny is a bitch. That's why I bought the kit but had my indy do the job.

Hint: there is no separate fill plug, you have to pump the fluid back in the drain opening on the side of the tranny, plus the engine has to be running and at normal temp, plus you have to add fluid until it begins running out, plus the exhaust pipe is 3 or 4 inches away, plus it's HOT...
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My karma just ran over your dogma
Current Hers: '13 Lexus ES350
Current Mine: '08 Jaguar S-Type 4.2 "Satin Edition" (250.06 whp / 259.67 torque)