Hi All,

I have a sporadic oil drip on my new '11 XF S/C. It only seems to occur when I drive in a "spirited" fashion (ie, dynamic mode on and very fast acceleration which I don't do frequently).

It only drips down a few drips from the spot where the plastic engine undercarriage cover is mounted to the car on the passenger side between the exhaust and front right tire. (I realize this is just the exit path of the drip but thought it might help someone diagnose where it's coming from)

Anway, I would assume this is not normal so I thought I'd take it in but was just curious if anyone here had an idea why and where the leak is occurring?

 

Only taking off the undertray will reveal all, but my question is - is it very clean oil or a bit dirty ? Engine oil will be a bit dirty, but transmission oil (or fluid), should be clean (it doesn't have to absorb combustion products).

If it is like most cars, there will be an autotransmission fluid cooler at the front near or part of the radiator, and two pips connecting it to the transmission. Could be a union is not tight enough or something like that. Alternatively, if the engine oil has recently been changed, a new washer or plug was not used at the drain point, or the oil filter is not sealing properly where it screws into the housing.

Always get these things checked out, but it doesn't sound toooo serious. Older Jaguars always leaked a bit of oil, and burnt it too, but the modern cars shouldn't; mine doesnt !!

 

Thanks for the response, Fraser.

It's definitely engine oil. This is a new car. We've only got a little or 1,100 miles on the odometer.

My first thought was a non-tight drain plug but the leak only seems to occur after heavy acceleration in dynamic mode. Of course, I'll take it in to have the dealer check it out but was just curious about the cause in the meantime.

 

Also consider a less-than-tight oil filter.

 

The 5 liter engine is top down serviceable. The oil can be "drained" using a vacuum pump on a small diameter tube inside the oil filler cap or by removing the regular drain plug. If the drain plug is removed a new rubber gasket should be used. The oil filter is a cartridge design which requires a fresh O ring when renewed. The fixing technique is also specialized. Jaguar World Monthly ( which I recommend for Jaguar enthusiasts) had an article on this in their October issue. The filter housing is supposed to be loosened four turns to allow oil to drain back into the sump before switching out the old cartridge. If this is not done then oil may spill out onto the engine. On re-installation the housing is to be tightened to a specified torque.