Hello guys,

concerning the check and change of transmission-fluid in a XKR fitted with the 722.6 gearbox I did a lot of research but there is still an initial question:
(I post inside XJ and XK subforum - maybe anyone can help)

It is impossible to get the dipstick smooth into the tube in front of the windshield. It seems the tube is bended or something.
My dad and I managed it only two times getting the dipstick to the bottom of the pan.
After pulling it out again, the whole end of the dipstick was touched with oil - so you simply cant read a proper fluid-level.

We try this with the engine not running. I read that the measurement should be done with the engine operating - is this correct?
There are some fears that under operating engine transmission fluid squirts out of the tube.

Can you insert your dipstick smoothly and read out a proper fluid-level?
Are we doing any mistakes?
We wont do a fluid-change until we are not able to check the amount of fluid inside the gearbox correct.

Any help is welcome - thanks.

regards

 

The measurement must be taken at full operating temp with the car running and the transmission in neutral. When I checked mine, I ran it around the block a few times, running it through the gears on the J-gate. Then I pulled it in, put it in neutral with the parking brake on, and took my measurement. You won't get any splash up the tube at all. And I did have to do some maneuvering with the stick to get it to go in.

 

Ah, okay.

And in spite of the maneuvers to get the dipstick inside you can read out a clear and proper mark on it?

regards

 

To get a true and accurate fluid level measurement, you need to run the egine on the road for at least 20 mins.
Running around the block a couple of times does not bring the fluid to the correct temp.
When inserting the dipstick, try twisting it around as you insert it.
What happens is, if you just try inserting it straight, it gets hooked up on the tube entry to the pan.
The only possible way that any fluid would puke out of the dipstick tube is if it's massivly been overfilled!
I often wonder where these myths originate. ;o]

 

Alright,

we`ll try again under operating engine with some twist on the dipstick.

The myth with the splashing tube originates by myself - I just thought that under operating engine the transmission fluid is set under pressure that pushs it out.

thank you so far.

regards

 

Well, when I said I ran it around the block a few times what I meant was I went out and hooned it for 10 minutes

Plenty of full effort pulls, using the J-gate to hold it in gear to make sure it got good and hot. Like I said, the transmission needs to be up to full operating temperature.

Once all that was accomplished, it was no problem to get a proper reading (which for me was unfortunately quite low, as I was having the harness plug leak issue at the time).