just drove the 1989 xj40 over to reno... noticed a leak. the transmission is really low, scary low..

i read it takes dextron III..

is this correct?

 

Yes, use a brand name not some cheap s**t.

 

oh good... as soon as i can get it to my dads and on the car lift i can find the leak...

 

Common leak points are the pan gasket and the joint where the dipstick tube joins the pan with a large nut. I haven't heard of an XJ40 transmission leaking from the front or rear shaft seal, but it's certainly possible. I believe the rear seal can be done without dropping the tranny, by just removing the middle section of the exhaust and disconnecting the driveshaft. To replace the front seal requires dropping the tranny. Hope that isn't the case, but let us know and we'll be glad to help.

Cheers,

Don

 

had fluid when i left Sacramento.. noticed a leak.. crawled under the car and it was red, smelled like ATF.

i know the power steering was low when i got the car.

there is a line under the car that seems very low and out of place. like it has been pulled out of place.

at this point it is dark, and will have to look into it in the morning.

 

The Power Steering system uses the same transmission fluid, Dexron II or III. A common leak point is the low pressure hose from the reservoir on the right front wheel well (under the hood) to the pump on the lower right side of the engine. The hose hardens and loses its seal at the reservoir due to its proximity to the exhaust. Let me know if you find fluid on the inner fender/wheel well and I'll send you some photos of how to change the hose without breaking the nipple off of the reservoir (which also hardens so treat it with care).

A less common power steering leak point is the high pressure hose from the pump to the rack - often it's just the O-rings on the hose fittings.

Let us know what you find when you've had a daytime look.

Cheers,

Don

 

Yes the inner fender on the passenger side is wet from power steering fluid.

The power steering fluid has gone down from the last time I filled it..

Still does not explain the low transmission level. That may just need to be a car lift and inspect item. Going to fill it, till it shows on the stick and warm it up.. See what level it is at once it is warmed up and fill it to the correct level. Will have to keep a close eye on it over the next few weeks while I am in Reno driving it around.

Tho the car has me hooked. And I am now looking at a XJ40 with the V8 conversion. (for the wife since now that she has seen the car.. Well, jealousy has taken over)

 

As I mentioned, the most common PS fluid leak point is the large low-pressure hose where it connects to the reservoir. You don't have to buy a replacement hose from Jaguar or a specialist, it's just 5/8" I.D. oil-resistant hose such as low-pressure fuel or transmission hose, available at any auto parts store.

The greatest risk is that the hose fitting or nipple on the reservoir hardens with heat and age and is easily broken off the reservoir tank. The photos below show how to use a sharp knife to carefully slice the hose to make it easy to remove without damaging the reservoir - just take care not to cut into the nipple.

Let us know if you can locate the source of the transmission leak.

Cheers,

Don

Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page
Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page

 

Hi Don, just looked at the pics in your post - my car has a seeping leak in the low-pressure reservoir and pump hose so I'm going to replace it using your method - thanks!
After replacing the hose, how do I bleed the system?

Larry

 

Hi guys,just did my conversion on wife's car,I went with Mobil ATF,dex type fluid.Just jack the car up a little,run the engine and turn the wheel right an left while adding fluid.When the growling goes away,you are good to go!

Cheers,Jim

 

Piggybacking on this thread,

I read somewhere that one should use "Castrol Hydraulic System
Mineral Oil, aka HSMO" in the power steering... Is it really ok to use Dextron III oil there?

Asking because my steereing is bit low on oil and I happen to have Dextron III handy, but I do not want to cause problems by adding something that does something bad to the system

 

Larry,

Jim is exactly right - I would just add that you want to turn the steering wheel all the way to the right lock, then all the way to the left lock, and repeat, checking the fluid level as you go, until the groaning stops, the steering feels smooth, and the fluid level is full.

Cheers,

Don

 

Hi Kay,

We need the input of an early car expert like Rob on this one, but if I recall correctly on our '88, the power steering fluid is Dexron II or III. The HSMO is used in the brake power assist and rear Self Leveling Suspension system (if still fitted). Your owner's manual should give you clear instructions. Are the caps of the reservoirs on your car not labeled with the type of fluid to be used in each reservoir?

Don

 

Hi Kay,if your car has the self levelling rear shocks,Do not mix oils!Stay with the HSMO stuff.(Green Goo).If you have no hydraulic pump on the front of the motor,or the electro-hydraulic switch on the inside of the fender,Your car may have been converted,and could switch to ATF.I converted the wife's car with no problems,and the steering works much smoother now.Check your car.

Cheers,Jim

 

Ok guys, changed out the steering hose and mounting bushing today, no problem, slit the hose at the tank fitting as Don suggested and all went well.
To avoid dumping ATF when I removed the tank and hose I used my trusty MITIVAC to pump out the header tank. Once the hose was removed from the tank end, inserted the MITIVAC down inside the hose as far as the tubing would allow and pumped the ATF out of the hose. Removed the hose from the pump end with a few shop towels under the fitting to catch the remaining few drops in the hose and I was good to go. Very little mess doing it this way!

all the best and thanks for the tips

Larry

 

Thank you,

Blonde had signals crossed somewhere there, yes Dextron II is the minumum, so dextron III should be ok

looked it up in my owners manual as suggested.

Kay