I have a 2004 Jaguar XJ8, 55,000 miles. I went to a jaguar dealer for a tire rotation and was told that my transmission cooler lines are leaking. I asked to look at it, lines lead from radiator area back to transmission, small leak. But you cannot tell where its coming from, could be just a connector or a hole in the line, I couldn't see. They told me that they can't look they just want to charge me $932 to replace the lines. NOTE: as you know with a zf transmission, you cannot check the fluid level they stated it would cost 2-300 dollars just to do that. I need HELP! Has anyone else experienced this problem? Is there a way to have it inspected and/or tightened without spending $932 dollars? Any help would be appreciated. Love the car, but, I don't want to spend that amount of money on a leak that could be fixed with a wrench.

 

Hi, common issue. From what I read the lines tend to wear down where the rubber portions are crimped to the metal lines and leak. Or one (or more) of the O-Rings can be leaking also.

Best bet is to get the lines changed out at an indy transmission shop, unless you can DIY.

Keep tabs and address it soon as you don't want the trans to run low on fluid. In a way, be glad the service tech pointed this out to you.

Lots of info here on the forum.

 

If you look on the S Type list we have had a number of people fix this.

First it looks like ALL the transmission lines will weep from where the rubber lines are crimped onto the steel tubing eventually. Not a big deal but it does make a mess and you are never sure how much transmission fluid you have lost. It never seems to turn into a big leak.

You can just replace the lines and that will always be the dealers suggestion.

Or several people have cut the metal ferrule off that crimps the rubber hose onto the steel tube. Then you can either reuse the factory rubber hose or replace it with a new one. Then use two hose clamps installed back to back to clamp the rubber hose tightly onto the steel line.
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I have done this job a few weeks ago. It is a royal bitch to get the old lines out and the new ones in even with the benefit of a lift which I have.

I bought new lines from Gaudin but if I were to do this job again I would rebuild the lines by simply replacing the rubber part of it which is typically where it leaks from.

Good luck.

 

Thanks a lot guys for the feedback!

 

I replaced these lines a few months ago. If I had it to do again, I would go with the simple solution mentioned above. Hopefully the new lines will outlast our ownership of the car, but it's only a matter of time.

 

Just had this issue on the XJR. I went with the replace the rubber section option.

O'Reilly ordered in the 1/2" hydraulic hose, I bought 4 nice clamps.

Fitting was not as bad as I thought, (and at 6'6" I do not have small hands) mostly done from above.

Jacked the front of the car up high, removed air intake piping, then the coolant hose that is in the way (thermostat to radiator, I think). Unscrewed top transmission hose to allow fluid to drain back, removed bottom transmission hose, cut rubber pipe with cutters, then Dremelled gently through the crimp part, warmed new rubber hose under the tap and slipped it over, two clamps to secure.
The bit of hose/crimp still on the car was Dremelled from above, slowly, carefully, until the crimp could be peeled off and then the hose pulled off.

Warmed new rubber hose end in a cup of hot water, slid it on, remembering to put the clamps (and the fishnet hose protector) on first. Tightened clamps, installed new o-rings at connection to the radiator, all hoses reinstalled to radiator, air intake on, topped off antifreeze, started engine and seems fine.

Topped off the gearbox, per the usual technique with engine running and temperature climbing to 40C and short test drive and re-inspection.

Have done around 60 miles today and all seems good so far.

If the other starts leaking, I would not hesitate to do the same repair.

Cost was $2.49, for the clamps (I got the hose for free as the could not work out how to not charge me for the full 40' in the box and I had o-rings and trans fluid left over from previous jobs)

 

Well looks like it is my turn now.
good thing I have a spare car next to the one I'm usually driving with.
in November I had to put a new radiator in the my 4.2 xj8 4.2
As well as all the rubberhoses and the auxilliary pump.
the old radiator was swollen on the bottom



The linse from the climate condenser had to be fixed with M8 instead of M6 screws. some one wrecked the before me.
to bad I cleaned up the transcoolerlines as well as the servo cooler lines before reinstalling. Well lesson learned I ll never do that same mistake again.
i' ll giv it a go and report back soon

 

Used replace the rubber hose method, similar to cooldood's.
Except i was charged for the hose.
Bought enough to do both lines, on both Jaguars, @ $24.13.
Purchased all this hose before i knew only the top one was leaking.
All dry now on the 04, have only replaced the leaking top hose on one car