Went out to start my car this morning and let it warm up since it’s -7 outside, went back out and there is a huge puddle of tranny fluid under the car now. Shut the car off right away but haven’t looked at it yet, wind chill is -28 right now. Any ideas where to look first? I drove 500 miles from home for the holidays, plan is to drive back home tomorrow but gotta figure this out now.

 

The rubber hoses of the cooling lines. After years of service, the lines leak at the crimp area. If it has filled the under-engine shield and coming out of the center hole, look there first. If it is coming out the back of the transmission, the plastic mechatronics adapter that the wiring loom connects to may be your issue.

 

I will check for those items. Previous owner chopped up the shield, I assume to change oil with out removing it. Quick look under the car and fluid is running down the sides of the shield and on the ground from the back.

 

 

Since the fluid is the color that it is, check first the power steering reservoir, and if empty you may have lost a steering fluid hose. But if close to full, then tranny is your culprit.

 

Power steering is full, just checked. Still -14 out now, under a wind chill advisory all day so still haven’t crawled under it yet. How do you even check fluid level? Or refill?

 

Here is the procedure for inspecting and topping up the ZF gearbox fluid.

When inspecting the fluid level, ALWAYS loosen the fill plug prior to doing anything else!

 

There is no dipstick for the transmission. Checking the level and refilling are done by the fill port on the right side of the transmission. It can be a bear to get to with exhaust lines in the way, and will require a series of extensions to reach it with a ratchet. You’ll obviously want to repair the leak before refilling as it will drain back out.

As a side note, how many miles are on the car? Has the transmission fluid ever been replaced? The stock fluid is lighter in color, though if it is old enough it does darken up quite a bit. If it was ever changed the color could be different.

If it is transmission fluid, David outlined the main failure points above.

 

Regardless of what fluid it might be that's a huge loss. Do not drive until you find the culprit.

Looks like trans fluid to me.

Areas that would leak that much fluid from the trans:

Broken trans cooling line.
Cracked plastic trans pan.

Good luck.

 

Could also be oil... again, highly recommend not driving until source of leak is found.

If you need to refill trans get Mercon SP. You won't find LG6 anywhere.

 

Thank you for the info. Car has 116k miles on it, I bought it at 99k, not sure of previous work done. Am I correct that it is Mercon SP fluid? Been trying to read thru some threads and gather some info.
Am going to try to get it inside to look at it. Have To push it out of the way, get the vehicle out of the garage that is in there now, then push it in garage. Visiting my parents for the holidays and their vehicles are in the garage. Of course nothing open today if I need any parts, or fluid, so have to wait for that, but hopefully find the problem shortly. Need to head back home 500 miles as supposed to go back to work Wednesday, so hopefully get this figured out.
Will post updates as I know more.

 

If possible, use the ZF Lifeguard 6 fluid. Mercon can work, but the clutches my have a different friction material designed to Ford specification.

Oil change kit for 6HP26/28/32

 

Lined popped off at the cooler, luckily easy fix, just gotta figure out filling it back up

 

Oh no, not good.

Yes, you can use Mercon SP. OEM spec is LifeGuard6 - you won't find that anywhere. Mercon carries the same Shell spec.

I would consider upgrading those clamps. Looks like someone cut up the original banding clamps.

Think about using fuel line clamps and double up on them. Hoping this line didn't pop off while driving...

 

I agree on using LG6 but the OP is in a pinch and Mercon SP is going to be his best bet.

 

That hose and pipe clamps looks like Charlie Allthumbs has been at the car before you bought it ! The cold weather you're having won't have helped. If it were me, I'd get the fluid back in approximately and drive home fairly slowly, unless you can get a shop local to you that knows what to do. The gearbox is used in Mercs, and also BMWs so shops for these should know what to do if there is no Jaguar shop nearby..

 

I'm always amazed by the bodge work I've seen over the years.

Hopefully the hose failed after the vehicle was parked.

Given the temperatures, it may be best to have the vehicle taken by a flat-bed to a local shop specialising in gearboxes rather than trying to drive it.

 

Thanks for all the replies. Car was parked and was not moved when the line popped off. Just started it to let it warm up and after few minutes seen the puddle so shut it off. Pushed it in garage to work on it. I agree looks like someone cut the line and added the rubber hoses. Got it back together now but have to wait till morning for somewhere to be open to get fluid. No Jag dealers in the entire state of South Dakota so will have to get Mercon fluid from parts store. Hopefully get it filled back up and be able to drive it home and then I will look into replacing the lines correctly.

 

Just a note on Mercon SP, it is produced by Shell in Houston for Motorcraft. It meets the Jaguar specification and it's chemical makeup, viscosity and additives are the same as LG6, which is produced by Shell in Belgium. Ford requires SP to have red added as not to confuse with motor or hydraulic fluids. Originally, SP was non-colored as LG6, but Ford Service made the change.

 

Actually Jaguar don't specify LG6 they specify Shell M.1375.4 which was made to ZF's spec, but it is only available large quantities (eg 100 gallons).


ZF sell it in retail quantities as LG6 but in the States (where Ford is a much bigger outfit than ZF are in Europe, and can drive a hard bargin) it's also marketed by Ford as Mercon SP.

If memory serves Shell have started marketing it themselves (in retail quantities) in Canada in the 'Spirax' range

Edit: Yep ... Shell Spirax S4 ATF MSP; the Technical Data Sheet specifically states that it is "suitable for use in applications calling for Shell M-1375.4