So, I'm finally getting around to changing the filter and fluid in my '02 XJR. I had to pull the pan without an initial drain cause I couldn't get the drain plug to move. (This worked pretty well as I had enough drain tubs around to catch most of the fluid; spillage was mopped up with about five paper towels.) When I got the pan off, the filter was sitting in the bottom of the pan. Hmmm ... When fitting the new filter, it seemed that it was very loose and would fall out if I didn't get the pan in place pretty quick. I noticed a couple of bumps on the bottom of the filter so I'm thinking that those are sitting on the pan when installed, and that keeps the filter in place. But, in all of the videos that I've watched, there is a distinct click when the filter is fitted to the intake hole. (I've searched through this forum and haven't seen any discussions on this issue.) It seems like there would be some leakage around the O-ring with this loose fit. Am I missing something or is this the normal fitting for the filter?

And, just cause I know some will ask, the car has 176,300 miles on it and this is the first time that the trans pan has been off. The sludge in the pan wasn't too bad; in fact it seemed to be the same as what I've seen in the videos. It took about 10 minutes total to clean it and the magnet. There was a small amount of metal flakes in the pan, too, but nothing to make me want to have the box rebuilt, yet. I chose Shell ATF134 to refill.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Mark
2002 XJR-100

 

Those bumps are so the filter doesn't drop down to the flat of the pan and prevent flow up through the filter. When I did mine I didn't have a lock in (to say) on my filter either. It just fit in smooth and hung there.