As I've mentioned before, I purchased my 2004 VDP at the end of October. I've thoroughly enjoyed this car since then, driving it sparingly on the weekends. The car now has 85k miles on the odometer.

Yesterday I noticed two new leaks under the car. One is at the back of the engine bay, and the other is at the front. At the back, I am seeing quarter-size drops that appear to be transmission fluid. The fluid is reddish in color. At the front, they are slightly smaller than dime-size drops that are dark brown-black in color. These appear, to me at least, to be power steering fluid. checking the oil, it appears light brown, so I do not believe these to be oil drops. I have a photograph of the underside that I will include with this post. Would anyone have any suggestions for tracking this down, or where to start looking?


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Regarding the leak of transmission fluid, most probably it is a leak of the round electric connector to the transmission. As you need to remove the oil pan of the transmission and a few otherparts to reach this connector, you can remove potential further leaks by replacing the pan and the gasket.

You can also look here, for example. There multiple threads regarding the topiv in the forum.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...eekend-104279/

For the other leak,my recommendation is to put the car on a lift and to remove the subtray underneath the engine. Then you should be able to pinpoint the oil leak better. If it is power steering fluid, you should see a drop in the fluid level in the power steering reservoir.

Best regards,

Thomas

 

thank you for the information! Do you think that as long as I’m opening up the transmission that I should go ahead and replace the mechatronic unit? If so, can I trust a remanufactured mechatronic? And from whom should I buy?

 

Good question. I did not replace the mechatronic itself, only these gaskets:

Best regards,

Thomas

 

thank you. Could you enlighten me as to what the four cylinders are?

 

@cornponious that will answer many of your questions

 

Thank you!

 

Check
Zf6hp26 oilchange kit arond 230€
Pan gasket with filter new screws all round 7 liter/quart of oil called Zf lifeguard 6 and normally the round electricsl connector seal ... wich is where it normally leak.
in this case you open up the filler hole first left side mid tranny 5 cm above pan. Shortened 90degree allen key should do it. Open the round plastic lid to let most oil out.
then opening pan( hope all screw come loose. Let it drip.
those other rubber parts shown with video Are not a must but since tranny's open I suggest doing Them as well
there is slso a kit for those pieces
Bridge seal mechatronic sleeve and connector
those tiny tubes are being pulled with a plier grabbed and pulled out and the bridge replaced above the mechatronic.
especially on early models the bridge seal developed fissures . Not build strong enough and the oil to aggresive for the material. Pressure loss.
i'll post the numbers of the kits

 

 

@cornponious Be aware that there are similar looking sealing tudes; bridge seal and mechatronics sleeve for ZF transmissions that are not interchangable!
When I did mine, I consulted with Ericsson Industries, US expert on ZF transmissions:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...e-help-267734/
To confirm that parts I am ordering are intended to be used in my car. I did not trust completely to car part vendors...
Good luck! this is not a difficult job at all! Just make sure you have gearshift mechanism aligned with mechatronis plate when you will be installing it back. Do not use power tools to install great many screws, use toque wrench to torque them. Aliminum case really easy to strip threads.

 

Thank you very much for all this information!

 

Since your in the US the best place for ZF stuff is here;
ZF Parts and Kits

You can also use Motorcraft Mercon SP fluid in the 6 speed ZF. It's exactly the same as Lifeguard6 but dyed red.
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