The ZF shop/repair manual recommends fluid replacement EVERY 10 YEARS.

Jaguar was the one that stated 'fill-for-life'.(not the gearbox manufacturer)

 

I just noticed this link on Ebay for ZF Lifeguard fluid.

For ZF Life Guard 5 7 Liter Automatic Transmission Fluid replaces Esso LT 71141 | eBay

 

Thanks Randy.

Peter (the OP) is in Australia so shipping from the U.S. would be prohibitive.

Cheers,

Don

 

That is about the same price as the VW G052162A2. (Esso 71141 for the 01V VW and Audi 5 speed ZF gearboxes)

 

Yes, as Don wrote: I am down under and any postage costs for ATF from overseas would make it prohibitive to even think about it (and it does not matter, if that is via ebay, or if I were to find a company overseas, which could ship directly). But after long research I found Lifeguard 6 for S-Type '04 and ESSO Lt 71141 for X308 in Australia - for a premium of what you would pay for it in the US, but still JUST affordable. I also found Lifeguard 5, from 2 suppliers meanwhile, but from both the price in in the unaffordable region, but no need, as I found Esso LT.

And as I just learned here in another tread: If the ATF comes from the transmission to the radiator in the upper or lower pipe (important for the full flush), will be a surprise, depending on which Jaguar Model you are working. I have both pipes disconnected currently anyway (to remove the radiator - note: without A/C radiator), as I am replacing the timing chains and tensioners. I will write about that. So when I do the flush, I will connect hoses to both pipes - the ATF will come out "somewhere"...

 

In a different thread ...
As a general rule..the fluid coming from the transmission will be hotter than the fluid flowing back unto it.
An infrared thermometer can measure the heat coming from the two lines thus determining the flow direction.

This of course assumes some use of the transmission to generate heat.

 

@ Randy: I read your comment above and in the other thread...: Yes, but you can check that only BEFORE you take everything apart, which I did not do. Currently, there is no engine oil, no ATF and no coolant in my X308, and it has the timing chains already removed. Thus, I can assure that both my lines have the same temperature: Ambient temperature...
But I will connect tubes to both pipes (to do the flush), plus, I will try something new: To that tube, where the ATF is NOT being pumped thru from the transmission, I will - while the transmission is filled with ATF - connect my fluid pump and see, if I can pump there as well a little bit of old ATF out...