Dear Forum,
I appear to have a very slight seepage of trans oil from somewhere at the front of my trans? It is very slight but made to look worse by being washed down onto my parking bay off of the underbody tray by air-conditioning condensation. If I put her up on stands and remove the tray, the very back part of the tray in the centre is stained. Unfortunately, a fine film of oil on the underside of the trans (presumably blown back towards the rear of my car from the leak) makes it difficult to locate the source? It does not appear to be at the usual mechatronic seal at the back?
Been laying under there with the engine running but seen nothing obvious?
Anyone know of a usual suspect at the front-end of the trans to help me narrow down my search, please?

 

Is it from above the filter?
Hopefully not
So far my trans leaks, have been the plastic filter seeping.
Needing replaced on both the cars i bought,
Believe that, along with suspensions cost to repair.
Are the biggest reason they are traded in.

 

This is well known engine oil leak from small plug in engine block. It's enough just to tighten it, but is better to change for a new seal. You have to drop transmission to fix it

 

Cannot tell where from. Transmission running perfectly (at this time). Is there somewhere I should look to confirm a leak above the seal? When you say 'above the seal', do you mean above the plastic 'tray' type sump?

 

Would this leak also bring red trans oil down with it, please? Incidentally, I have absolutely no engine oil loss whatsoever?

 

Have you changed the trans filter & fluid yet?
Was it done before you acquired the car?
Standard trans fluid is NOT red, the Mercon SP fluid is though.
One of the first things done on both of mine.
Both had slight leaks, but no issues.
Hope this is the cause of your leak as well.

 

Hello Wingrider,
Thanks for your post.
It is a reconditioned transmission fitted just a year ago. The previous unit had a cracked drum. Unfortunately here in Dubai, unless you wish to pay a fortune to the main Jaguar dealer, you have to rely on mechanics in the much cheaper Sharjah Emirate next door. Mine is an ex Jaguar mechanic, but I very much doubt he used the OEM fluid in the new transmission. What can you do? I do the best I can, but I do not have the facility to get my car up high enough and on the level to start messing around with transmissions?
The seepage appears to be minimal at the moment. The transmission seems just fine. I will probably live with it until the Tran Error Light comes on and then take it back to him; I so much prefer to do things for myself!!

 

Very sorry to hear that.
There goes the easy fix.
I use a couple floor jacks, with jack stands front, & rear.
To make things level, as well as high enough to slide under.
But have the luxury now, of being able to heat the garage, to work in.
So i can stay warm, then walk away & close the doors.
Forgetting about things till tomorrow,

 

It is probably the transmission cooler pipes which have a flexible section ie 4 joints.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...cement-112028/

Only one joint is accessible from underneath without dismantling and I have sealed that sucessfully with JB Weld.

Mine are only weeping.

 

Meiron1, thank you for your post. Where do I look to see if this is my leak, please? I see where the cooler lines fit into the trans on its (LHD) left side looking forward and there does not appear to be a leak there? My leak appears to be more central and at the front (I think)?

 

I would be very surprised if the lines themselves weren't leaking. Replace them and move on. The post linked in post #9 should be very helpful.

 

Thank you 310jag.
Please correct me if I am wrong; if my leak is trans cooler and I remove and leave my underbody tray off I will see trans fluid under my car somewhere on the left hand side (LHD)? I do see that such a leak could travel to the rear centre of the underbody tray before exiting?

 

Sounds like you can cut the rubber hose out.
Then replace it with i believe to be, half inch high pressure hose, & clamps.
Cheap, effective, & much easier to fix.
I M H O

 

Thanks Wingrider.
I would really like to be able to confirm that my leak IS coming from the trans cooling lines before I start cutting anything?

 

Yes, if you remove the undertray you can inspect the transmission cooler lines from where they connect to the transmission on the left side forward to where they connect to the radiator. There are rubber O-rings on the fittings at both ends so check carefully to see if your leak may be as simple as a hardened O-ring. The actual rubber section of the lines is not very long, and is near the forward end of each line.

The fittings on the side of the gearbox are held in place by a triangular plate secured by one hex-head screw. Remove the screw and plate and you can gently pry the hose fittings away from the transmission ports. For slack, you may need to disconnect a couple of the plastic clips that immobilize the lines a little forward alongside the transmission and bell housing.

Cheers,

Don

 

Thank you Don, Meirion1, Wingrider, Sochi2014 and 310Jag. I will get back under there and focus my search as suggested by Don. I will then post here what I find. Thanks again!

 

EsRay wrote;
I would really like to be able to confirm that my leak IS coming from the trans cooling lines before I start cutting anything?
I can appreciate that!!!!!
The Oring being hard,is probably the reason behind most, if not of the leaks.
Guessing most do not even know about them being there.
I know i did not

 

Thanks Wingrider, gonna use Don's method to take a look....

 

NB you can't remove the cooler pipes with only axle stands-you need more space under the vehicle.

That is what I have read on here.

 

Thanks for the heads up, Meirion1...