Transmission fluid checking procedure
I replaced my radiator so thought I should check the fluid level of the transmission. I followed the 5 HP24 procedure somewhat religiously, helped a great deal by Sam1174's video too. After fighting the very tight filler plug, I ran through the gears, put it in park, left the engine running once the fluid hit 35 celcius.
Question: is the fluid supposed to fly out at a rate of knots?! Is it a sign that the breather is blocked? I quickly replaced the plug but lost some fluid despite my efforts. Uh!

 

That sounds like a sign that it has been overfilled.

 

Yes that's a very fair point. I had left the maintenance to others that should be qualified enough not to overfill, but that had crossed my mind too. I've had to clean off a lot of old oil /fluid remnants to even get close to checking via the filler plug I'm not too sure where the breather tube is so haven't traced the source of a leak yet. Ah well!

 

There is no breather tube. The transmissions were marketed as "sealed for life" never have to do anything to them. Unfortunately their life wasn't as long as the cars life.

 

Thanks for that info. It'll save me looking for it for another few hours :-)

 

Do you have the rest of the pictures or links to the information and video?

I get the high gearbox temperature warning on start up every now and then and want to check my ATF level.

Thank you!

 

The gearbox 'breather' (case vent) is up on top of the bell housing behind a rubber 'splash-shield' near the harness connector bracket for the O2 sensors and gearbox link harness.

The gearbox temp warning on startup might mean a failing battery. If the warning occurs during normal driving, you might need an internal harness. The temp sensor (thermistor) is part of the internal gearbox harness.

bob

 

I think it is so dumb a lot of cars don't get dipsticks. Thanks for that pic. Seems that is the procedure with most auto trans cars

 

So I'm not confusing my terminology, is the breather/case tube/vent that doesn't exist where I check the level and fill it up?

 

The case vent is exactly that!! A small orifice to vent the case to keep pressure ambient. Positive or negative pressure is not good for the seals.

The level plug is on the right rear area of the gearbox.

bob

 

Gearbox Breather

 

Filled for life is utter bovine manure. Change oil + internal oil filter every 30,000 milies or so and your gearbox will double its life, at the least

Gearbox replacement of my X308 cost me EUR 3,600.-- (abt US $ 4,000)

T.

 

Filler plug for the transmission jaguar x308. Effectively the rear right hand corner.
Here's a pic of the filler plug. My recommendation is to spray cillit bang on it first. It's a great degreaser etc :-)
You'll need a decent Allen key, possibly cut down slightly so that you can get in between the transmission and the exhaust. A pipe or the jaguar supplied tyre lever is ideal for extra leverage. It's actually impossible to get anything other than an Allen key in that tight spot Allen plus work very nicely here too.
Here's the YouTube video by Sam 1174:
https://youtu.be/qL4ZhDlZAF4
@16mins in he describes the filler plug removal which should be done at the start. I've been advised that if the fluid is dark in colour, change it. Might as well do the whole filter at the same time.

 

Changed my gear box oil and filter today, after burning my hands on exhaust I can recommend wrapping a wet cloth around exhaust pipe while refitting fill plug.

 

5HP24 Dip Stick

 

I thought overfilling was necessary, per instructions?

 

Hello Chris, I have the same symptomps fluid flying out when doing oil check. May I ask you if have found any reason of that? Was it really overfilled or was it any other reason? As I have understand, there IS a breather, so it probably can get clogged.

 

When checking oil level you start out with the transmission over full. Then start the car and remove the plug, as the car runs you measure the fluid temperature as it starts flowing out of the port. You let it flow until it's just dribbling out. If you have a large flow let it continue until it slows down to a trickle. This is somewhat hard to do as you also measuring (or trying too!) the escaping fluid temperature at the same time.

What's common is by the time you get the correct fill level the fluid is now too hot. I have had to check fluid level more than once to make sure it's right. It's well worth doing this because if the level is not correct you can get many different problems.
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I start with a car on the lift the night before.
In the morning I fill until the fluid dribbles out with ENGINE OFF.

Temporarily install the fill plug.
Lower car and start the engine.

Raise the car and remove the fill plug.

Start adding fluid as fast as you can.

HOPEFULLY, you get to 30 degrees Centigrade at the same time as the fluid again begins to dribble out!!!!!!!!!!

The obvious limit is 50 degrees but I like it to be FULL @ 30 degrees!!!!!!!!!!!(30 to 50 degrees is the temp window)