No label on the reservoir. Owners manual says to use fluid specified by local Jaguar Dealer, but does not list a fluid or specification number.

Can anyone tell me what the correct fluid is?

 

Dextron 3

 

Or Mercon V (Ford Spec)

 

The original spec was for Mobil Dex-III. The original Mobil product had a high anti-foam additive package. Just about any Dexron approved fluid will suffice, and ZF, who makes the rack, specifies Dexron as well. Most Dexron E~G has a slightly higher viscosity than H or VI as well as newer synthetics, but was less stable over temp ranges. Newer H, VI and synthetics has a much more stable viscosity over temp ranges.

 

For the benefit of future readers who may be looking for a modern substitute for Dexron III for use in a transmission, the best I have found is Redline Oil D4 ATF, with a Viscosity index of 198. Common Dex VI products have a Viscosity Index of only around 145. Here's the link to D4 ATF:

https://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=51&pcid=9


Switching from Dex VI to D4 restored proper performance to the ZF 4HP24 transmission in our '93 XJ6, but I haven't noticed any trouble using modern Dex/Merc or Dexron VI in ZF steering racks.

Cheers,

Don

 

Car is a 2006 XJR with 143,000 miles.

What I was able to find at Autozone was Castrol Transmax, which was a full synthetic and according to the label is approved for vehicles calling for Dextron III.

The fluid level was about a quarter inch below the add fluid line. So, I filled it to the max line. Two days after filling to the max line, I had steering trouble. Level was an inch below the add fluid line, so I topped it up. Next morning, there was a large puddle of fluid under the car.

The "L" shaped line from the reservoir to the pump inlet is stiff and developed a crack at the L as can be seen in the attached photo. I replaced it with a length of 5/8" dia heater hose. Filled the reservoir again. It leaked overnight. Leak now appears to be at where the rubber hose is attached to the power steering cooler. Fluid runs about an inch and drips from the hard line. You can see it in the attached photo.

I looked at replacement coolers. The C2C16119 for an XJR ranged anywhere from $125 to $425 depending on source.

Has anyone replaced the rubber hose where it is banded onto the hard line of the cooler?

 

The photo of the leak at the cooler was taken from the left wheel well with the plastic inner fender removed and the front underpan removed.

 

I haven't had to make that particular repair, but any local industrial or hydraulic hose supply shop could probably replace the rubber hose and repair that joint for you at very low cost.

Cheers,

Don

 

I finally removed the cooler today after removing the bumper cover. The hoses are secured to the tubing by a crimped band. I removed the band for the lower hose with a compound leverage diagonal cutter and then pried the hose off. I could not get at the top hose in the car. It connects to the power steering fluid reservoir.

What you can see in the photo is that the lower aluminum tube was chafing on something until it actually wore through. It seems to have been the edge of a 4" X 6" X 2" module just beside the air compressor. Not sure what the module is and I don't see where it was chafing the tube. The top hose is pre-molded and looks like a stair case zig-zagging several times. It is flexible and could be used, but it has several areas where it has been chaffed. I don't really want to have to undertake this job again, so I am going to order a new hose and delay putting things together until it arrives. I had ordered a used cooler from a salvage yard.

All said looking at the chafing, all I can say is "WTF?"

Service manual says to remove the two hex head screws that secure the mounting bracket, but the same bracket also secures the engine oil cooler.

I ended up prying the tube up out of the bracket and then maneuvered the cooler out.

Once removed, I was able to remove the zig zagged line by cutting the crimped band off.