Oil Leak..From Somewhere? Thoughts?
 

I have not been on the forum for quite some time as I have been very busy w/ work and travel. I have however continue to enjoy...love my 2007 xk 4.2. I have owned if for nearly 5 years now, bought it w/ a whopping 4k miles on her and now have 29k miles on the clock. she has been literally faultless mechanically and lookswise...not much better than an xk!

that said, I just seem to be having my first issue. there is oil that seems to be dripping from the center of the car's undercarriage. keep in mind my back has been hurting badly so getting under the car is not happening for me yet. the general location would seem behind the tranny...almost where the drive line connects. note: the engine sump seems not the problem as the oil level is perfect. The transmission shifts well and no issue detected. the power steering also seems to work well and no apparent issue. The oil leaking seems a bit more clean than the engine oil so it makes me further think I am not having engine lube issues. the stream of oil or let's at minimum call it an oil like fluid has run out under the car exiting near the trailing edge of the passenger door. I would say 1/2 quart of fluid or a tad less is currently on my garage floor.

I will try to get more definitive info later in this thread but in the meantime, I was wondering what the experts would surmise? Thank you in advance folks.

best,

Peter

Hey Peter, not an expert by any means but given the rough location of the leak and your defining it as more clean than engine oil, reads like tranny fluid. It is yellow in color and amber when used so it has the appearance of clean engine oil but is a lighter viscosity. It will be most likely leaking from the mechatronic sleeve but that's on the driver side. Could be running along the pan and petering out where you indicated depending on how your garage floor is leveled.

PS fluid is most likely red and easy enough to check. Certainly check your master cylinder to make sure you're not losing brake fluid but at half a quart, that's not likely at all.

Sean,

Thank you. I actually think you may have nailed it. Is this a common item for replacement on such a low mileage albeit older car? Are there other threads on line discussing this problem / repair? where is the tranny dipstick so that I can check the level? Is there any transmission fluid I need to use to top off in order to get it to the shop?

Thank you very much sean!!

Peter

The ZF 6HP26/28 should be serviced every sixty thousand miles, but given the age of the vehicle, it's entirely possible the electrical connector sleeve is seeping. The sleeve can only be removed when the gearbox is drained and the pan/filter removed.

The gearbox does not have a dipstick. Review the attached file for the correct method of checking the fluid level.

Peter, this isn't a common DIY for most. After you read the procedure, you'll see why. Assuming you outsource the job, Jag dealership is certainly a viable option but just know the transmissions in our cars are also found in Audi, Hyundai and BMW and can be done at those dealerships as well as any reputable transmission shop.

There are several threads discussing it in the S-Type and X350 forums. There's a sticky at the top of our forum but a more complete one on the X350 forum:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ooting-191572/

All that said, get her up on a lift so you can confirm a leak and follow NB Cat's attachment first....

Cheers and good luck.

I recall the ZF oil supplier including the sleeve in a fluid change kit, further pointing to common problem.

NB Cat, thank you. do you have a shop in san diego you approve of? I am a concourse kind of person and I am a bit embarrassed to say that I freak out over finger prints on windows and paint. the thought of a tech sliding across my bolsters and door thresholds being scuffed by boots makes me lose sleep. again, I am embarrassed to admit but I'm sure I am not alone in this affliction?

do you know any shops that would be up to the task or accept me as a client? Your thoughts appreciated.

I cannot recommend any shops in the San Diego area, but if you look for a specialist shop that works on high-end cars, they may be able to do the work for you. As Sean pointed out, the 6HP26/28 is used by many different marques, including Rolls-Royce.

One of the issues with the X150 is accessing the gearbox fill plug, which is right above the exhaust. It's not an easy job due to the amount of heat and making sure the vehicle is completely level is critical to getting an accurate reading on the oil level.

The 'kit' for servicing the gearbox that Queen and Country is referring to, which also includes the connector sleeve, is available here:

https://www.thectsc.com/products/oil...ce-186-61.html

thank you again!

guys thank you all. I have ordered the kit as it appears complete. I am taking the car to classic showcase in Oceanside (jag e type concourse resto shop) and they will do the labor at a fair rate. very much appreciate you all.

Should you want some additional reading, the ZF Repair Manual for the 6HP26 can be downloaded here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/izfzhh48fo...anual.pdf?dl=0

Here is the correct pan bolt tightening sequence:

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...bb6c813c61.jpg

You lost some fluid so you may need more than 6 liters. I would order 8 if it were me. Unless the shop has some in stock, your car could be stuck on the lift if you're short. Also the kit you ordered comes with 5 replacement screws. When I bought my kit, I bought all 24. My car was originally a Florida coast car and the threads of the screws were corroded. The new replacements have bigger heads.

I concur. I bought a case of 12 quarts of fluid so I'd be sure to have enough. It took just over nine quarts to fill it up. Thing is though, it has never dripped or leaked. Not even seepage. Everything was (is) completely dry.

From wherever I bought my pan w/filter (Amazon, I believe), it came with all new replacement screws, not just five. It did not have the sleeve though, I bought that separately.

Edit;
I just found it I paid less than the $32, like $31 or so;
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The sleeve was like $6 and the fluid was $94 for the dozen quarts.

Why the HELL would someone pay $258 for a "kit"??? That's DOUBLE what it should be priced. Plus HALF the amount of fluid. That's HORRIBLE.
I highly suggest doing some research before you buy, since evidently prices are All Over the Place.

Tom Krafetz at Classic Showcase is a good guy. While they are working on your XK, if you have a chance look around his shop. You will be impressed.

Yeah, I'll probably be screamed at by "GOTTA BE SPEC!!!!" people, but it is for the ZF 6hp. So therefore if ANYONE wants to start raggin' on me about it, first STFU.

Amazon - ZF-6HP Motorcraft Mercon SP

Thats why they are charging $250. One stop shop that specializes in ZF, no substitute, no knock-offs tray.
Why gamble for a measly $100 for something you do once every 8 years

I have researched this extensively, this is a good substitute. You can read my thread on alternative oil. Its not the price but availability. As you know ZF fluid is hard to come by.

Is the following kit the right one for our vehicles? Seems like a pretty good deal, considering what you get...

https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-LR007...RoCtK0QAvD_BwE

So long story longer and let the debate rage on, ZF only recommends ZF Fluid and use of any non ZF Fluid will void their warranty as I understand it. First they claim they haven't tested other types. Second, the argument exists that our transmissions are tuned to the specs of the fluid so even minor variations can effect performance. I have read debates from both software engineers and chemical engineers who support the theory over on the x350 forum. Sorry I can't find it in my searches.

That said, for me now, and I used to be in the ZF Fluid only camp, I would use the Mercon SP or the Ravenvol in the posts above. But if I were to switch fluids, I would do a complete flush and remove all the ZF first. I don't like blending fluids. OK that's me and my opinion.

So if you buy into my input Texas Traveler, yes the kit fits.

Bear in mind that each manufacturer using the 6HP26/28/32 gearboxes have certain specifications for the purpose and performance of the gearbox. Because of that, the fluid specifications for Jaguar or Land Rover may differ from that of say Ford, Hyundai or Rolls-Royce.

If you want to use an alternate fluid, use the search function and read through the threads prior to making any changes to the recommended fluid.

I'll add that the Jaguar Manual recommendation is Shell M1375.4 which Mercon SP meets as does Ravenol, Pentosin ATF. Valvolene has a product out there too. So I suspect when the transmission was originally developed, the fluid specs were probably only met by ZF but as time passes and as with other parts, Non OEM catches up.

I feel pretty stupid in hindsight even suggesting the possibility of the Ravenol fluid. (its good fluid but)

If this was the Mars Rover, I would be fired on the spot.
Boss would say 'Let me get this straight; transmission manufacturer makes a fluid, its proven, but to save $5 a liter on something you wont do for another 8years, you picked the devil you dont know. Managers at in-n-out burger make $140k, get an application.'

Since the OP won't know if it is actually a transmission leak until someone looks from underneath, I'll just toss this out there...
I had dripping from the rear of my transmission cover, but it turned out to be an oil leak, due to some numb-nut not having tightened one of the bolts on a valve cover.
Had no oil drops on the garage floor for 3 years, until starting the car up on a cold day, and the valve cover seal allowed the leak.
The story is in this thread: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...l-leak-199975/
Just a thought, until we hear the results from the OP.

I know I'm new around here, but would you seriously consider using something called Mericon in a historically British car, with a German transmission. That just seams wrong, and please no "Make Mericon Great Again" jokes. ;-)

Just to add to the confusion, here's some German fluid that conforms can be founfd for ~$15/litre


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...b03e10ac32.png

Ford made my car. Tata Motors made the newer XK's. Yep, you're new.

Just pointing out...by that formula-Sheikh Sohaib Ahmed bin Muhammad makes Aston Martins.

Do we really want to pop all the feel good balloons in the room.:icon_lolsign:

I don't know when I will be able to confirm for the group the issue as I have two weeks of east coast travel ahead of me. I have ordered the kit already but did not get the extra fluids or bolts as recommended by the group...I had order the kit prior the additional fluid and bolts suggestions. I will let everyone know what we come up with and again, thank everyone for the help and guidance.

Peter

If the pan Torx bolts are a concern, you can order them separately:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-BMW-E60...wq-:rk:20:pf:0

As well as the Lifeguard6 fluid:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-BMW-Jag...QRv:rk:10:pf:0

[QUOTE=NBCat;2011789]If the pan Torx bolts are a concern, you can order them separately:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-BMW-E60...wq-:rk:20:pf:0

Just an update
The first company you provided had the better deal on the bolts. Because they are noted as improved larger head. The ebay company does not give the head size.So if its for the older torx 28, it would not be as good.
https://www.thectsc.com/products/oil...pan-28-10.html

Doesn't seem too bad, makes it easier than ordering three things.
Maybe not enough fluid to completely fill it after a change, but if the shop/person doing the work has some on-hand, should be OK. I used just over nine quarts, would have been more than two quarts short if I'd have bought this one.
Far as the pan/filter go, I'd not be surprised if ALL the available pan/filters available are made by the same one manufacturer.
Mechatronic (??) sleeve, not really much to that.

sorry for the late update...
 

folks,

thank you again for all the help on my leak situation. as always...the experts on the site were correct and the car is now fixed. it was in fact the plastic transmission pan. I took it to Coventry Jaguar in san diego for the repair. they were nice to deal with and took car of my car as I needed. they noted the car was in as new condition and appreciated how fastidious I have been in taking care of the car. they did not disappoint. thanks again folks!!