Hello, after my yearly oil change I checked the gearbox oil. I found the level had increased upto just over the hot mark when the engine is cold. The fluid is still RED and shows no sign of contamination from anywhere.
Is it possible for the engine oil to migrate somehow to the auto gearbox? I cannot think of anything else that could have caused this.
I have not added any red gearbox oil to the car and an stumped. So any idea's would be most appreciated.
M.Y of car is a 1996 Celebration with 43K miles on the clock in good condition.
Kind regards,
ArtyH

 

Are you sure it wasn't overfilled a year ago?

I'm assuming you are reading the amount while your car is parked on a level surface. b Are you checking level with the engine running?

 

Hi, thanks for the reply, the levels were cheched on a level surface, the engine oil is the only one that has been changed, I have not added any oil to the auto box. Engine stopped when checked, actually cold from last use. Just to add, today I drained about one litre of oil from the auto box, now shows half way below the hot mark.
Have not ran it yet to try.
Regards,
ArtyH

 

Per the service manual,

"Ensure vehicle is on level ground.
Run the engine.
Withdraw the dipstick and clean with a lint free cloth.
Replace the dipstick and withdraw it noting the oil level.
Stop the engine.
Top up as required.
Run the engine and recheck the level when the transmission is hot."

 

Thanks for taking an interest Vee, I will give it a run on the road later today. I was just concerned that some engine oil had somehow migrated to the auto box. In the eight years that I have owned her this has never happened before, levels have been normal and dip stick has shown good red colour oil. Only cover about 500 to 600 miles per year in her and she is my pride and joy.
Thanks again,
ArtyH

 

Arty, what does the handbook say?
The 3.2 X300 has a different gearbox, so the 'rules' are probably different, however there are very specific instructions for checking trans oil. For ZF box in the 3.2 it is - run at least 14 miles, park on level with engine idling, pull gear lever into each gear, then check level

V12 with GM box will have it's own specifics no doubt

 

How stupid of me to leave the engine size out, sorry guy's.
My XJS is a 4ltr straight six.
I always check both oil's on my drive which is flat, when the engine is cold, just before a journey, its usually spot on the marks as I am quite **** about having things correct on my car.
From what the local Jaguar garage told me a few years ago it is one of the last 50 sold in the U.K.
Thanks for any other comments, hope this clears up my confusing post.
Kind regards
ArtyH

 

Fingers crossed I have been checking it incorrectly for the last eight years, just read the manual. Should be checked hot after 15 mile run and the gears should be cycled through the entire range of the box to ensure the system is primed, then oil checked, with the engine running ( manual never states stop the motor ), clean the dipstick, then check again.
Oh well you live and learn, hopefully no harm done as I have asked my wife to pick up some Castrol Dex 111 from Halfords @ £ 8.49, will go for a spin when she returns and fill as required, the correct way. Some new fluid will not do him ( Humphrey ) any harm.
I have a vacuum extraction pump which I used to remove the oil and it was contaminated from previous oil changes, that is why I could not refill with the original oil. For £8.49 it was not worth it anyway.
I will report back after a test drive later this evening.
Kind regards,
ArtyH

 

Arty,

Has the transmission ever been changed? If not I would recommend that you drain it and refill as opposed to just topping up. Just looking at the color on a dipstick when cold will not necessarily tell you all is well.

Cheers,

Allan

 

Hi Allan, the car has no indications of a fault in its running or lights on the dash, I hope I have just used the incorrect procedure for checking the level, reading the manual confirms this. Will check it out later when wifey comes home with the new oil.
Cheers,
ArtyH

 

Arty,

Sorry I meant to type 'has the transmission fluid ever been changed' I was not referring to the transmission itself.

Changing the oil is just a good preventative practice rather than waiting for a fault to develop.

I have a 94 that I have owned since new that has just 36,000 miles on the clock and I have changed the gearbox oil twice in that time period.

Cheers,

Allan

 

I take the other approach on transmission fluid. I usually run my cars into the ground, and I change transmission fluid at around 60,000 miles.

I've gone through Dodges, Buicks, Fords, Hondas and now the Jag. Never had a transmission failure. Most cars get to 200,000 miles...

I monitor the fluids, but if you leave it alone, the fluid should be good and remain at least pink.

 

It is common for oil to drain from the torque converter. This is common on cars that are not driven regularly!

Driving it mildly should return levels to normal.

 

ArtyH - you sure you weren't born in NZ?
You are the archetypical Kiwi male - if all else fails, finally read the instruction manual!

 

Al nz, You sound just like my wife!!! Lols.
However after reading the manual on how to dip the auto gearbox oil, with engine running after a 15 miles run, it was found to be about 1l down on oil!!! SO I filled it back up with about the same as I had taken out......Thankfully no harm done, my pride aside.....except for having to read the manual....
Thanks for all the comments guy's, all very helpful.

Cheers,

ArtyH