Hello,
I just purchased a 2000 XK8 with 36,000 carfax-verified miles. It is pristine.
I am getting different answers on whether to have the transmission fluid flushed and the filter and gasket replaced. The reputable transmission shop advises not to, as the seals could leak because of the age of the car and old fluid detergent being removed.
Any advice?
Rande

 

The ZF 5HP24 repair manual suggests a fluid/filter change EVERY 10 YEARS.
No mention of mileage just the 10 years.

 

I would tend to agree with the transmission shop. If it is shifting properly it can wait.

Remember that despite the low miles, you still have a 23 year old car that wasn't driven much. These cars prefer to be driven. You should be more concerned about the rubber hoses and various plastic bits in the engine bay. Age is not their friend.

Change the engine oil/filter, flush the cooling system and check all the hoses then see it does after you put some miles on it.

 

Which fluid should I use?

 

I don't have experience but from what I have read flushing is not recommended. Better to just drain well, new filter and add new fluid.

 

This subject has been discussed REPEATEDLY over the years and very recently in the X100 as well as the X308 sections.(same engine/gearbox in both)

 

There is also a great deal of confusion about the different types of flushing and fluid changes.

If "flushing" refers to flushing the system with a special auto flushing fluid then do not even consider it.

If "flushing" refers to disconnection at the auto fluid cooler and replacing all the fluid by sucking in new Lifeguard fluid as the old fluid is expelled, then this is good if it is done properly. However, the auto sump/pan still needs to be removed to change the filter (part of the pan in newer models) so "flushing" on its own is not recommended.

If "flushing" refers to removing the pan, changing the filter and the adding new fluid in accordance with the official procedure, then that is also a recommended procedure although, technically, the drain and refill needs to repeated more than once before the fluid replacement can be considered to be as good as "flushing" number 2 above.

Richard