I've had the kitty back for a week now. Local dealer (Royal Jaguar) sourced what they say is a Jaguar remanufactured transmission (even has the correct reman ZF part number on the invoice) out of somewhere in California.

Told me to drive easy for the first 200 miles, staying out of Sport Mode. Passed the 200 mile point last night but with dear wife in car, didn't push it much.

Observations:

1) Since January my average mileage had been dropping steadily from around 22 to 23 around town down into the high teens. Initially I attributed this to having retired and more of my driving was stop and go versus some reasonably long runs on the way to and from work. My average mileage is back up to 22 or 23 MPG around town with the remanufactured transmission.

2) The intermittent buzzing/vibration noise has not reoccurred (yet). With only 200 miles I've only had a couple of the more likely scenarios to cause the buzz so the jury is still out but I'm hopeful. I'll be taking a 1,000 mile road trip soon (to Las Vegas for Barret Jackson). Should have a more definitive answer in about three weeks!

 

Just a thought........on one jag i had it was thexhaust ..........at speed the car sits down and caused that wierd noise.....make sure all the rubbers are ok and its not close to anything. Is it a recent exhaust.?

 

Good thought Neil, thanks.

Some of the earlier story about this noise does include going through the whole underbody, including the exhaust. One side is new (April 2011), due to a collision repair, and it is a Jaguar replacement to match the other side. Since that repair, multiple mechanics, sorry, technicians, from three facilities have been through it. Motor and transmission mounts were replaced, a loose heat shield was reattached and missing hangars were installed. I believe we are all up to original spec underneath.

What are you thinking by asking if the exhaust is recent?

 

I had an event like that on. the car settles down on its suspension at speed and the exhaust can touch something. on mine it was the rear axle bit that just needed pulling back onto the rubber. Lets hope its that simple. when it was jacked up you couldn't really see the problem....it was only at about 4o and above but the noise would ease up on the upchange. Just wondered if it was a new exhaust and you were having the same prob as me. fingers crossed for you .

 

As I promised, I'm back from Las Vegas for the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction and here's my report on the performance of my XK8 with the Jaguar remanufactured transmission.

Smooth as silk up and back. About 1,000 miles with no odd noises at all, mileage round trip averaged 25 MPG, it was a pleasure.

Now, if I can just find the source of that intermittent smell of burning rubber (it ain't the tires). But, that's a topic for another post!

I believe my case is closed. I hope the other posters who have similar issues can find a less expensive fix than replacing the whole transmission.

 

Sorry I am late to the party. I saw a TB somewhere, where a bit of body caulking was oozing from some panels and rubbing on a drive shaft. Sorry I cannot remember the actual names of the components in the TB. Because the drive shaft was so close to the panels, it wasn't possible to see the caulking, just the faint trace it made on the driveshaft.
Again, sorry if this had already been discussed.

 

Never too late for extra information. It may help someone else.

 

I've had a look through the service history of mine and have noticed a recon gearbox was fitted in 2006 but no mention of mileage,

Could my recon be the cause of the noise as i imagine only the worn parts at the time would've been replaced???

 

What I didn't mention in my previous reports was the technician who replaced my old transmission reported it was not the original. I don't know all the details but the torque converter was of a non-standard color indicating "something" and that some internal nuts and bolts were missing as well.

With that, it might be worth having a look-see inside the transmission assembly to see if everything is buttoned up correctly.

Someone with more experience in transmission rebuilds vice reconditioning vice remanufacturing - please chime in here!

 

Well since i last posted on here i managed to pick up a recon low milage gearbox, I was getting things set up (time wise) to fit the gearbox when on my way home ( 24-05-2013) the cars behind me disappeared in a cloud of smoke that my car was throwing out, so now it's an engine replacement as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Does anyone have a steel lined engine lying around?

 

Ouch! Suggest you start a separate post regarding the engine to get better attention on this important issue.

 

A tool that may help you locate this noise: It's called a Chassis Ears, made by Steelman company. Most of the tool trucks that service repair shops will either have it, or can get it. I figure most shops would already have one. The idea is that you attach a clip with a built in microphone to any suspect area or part, up to 6 at a time. There are two models, one wireless, and one with wires. I have the wired model. Run the leads (different color tags) into the cabin, and then select each microphone, one at a time, while the noise is ocurring. You listen through a headset. When you finally locate "the" noise, you will know it, as the sound is very acute! Whichever "color" wire making the sound is the part or area of concern. The wired version is kind of delicate, so use care when attaching things, and avoid dropping the microphone clips! Maybe a way to finally locate your issue!

 

I've now fitted a replacement engine and the earlier bought gearbox,
Took it for the mot test last week and it so far seems to be noise free even though when driving i seem to be waiting for it to happen.
It'll be on the road properly in October so i'll find out then if it's gone for good
Regards
Lee

 

I hope the trepidation fades for you as it finally did for me. Although my issue was just a transmission and your was transmission AND engine, I hope you'll begin to enjoy driving your machine without too much worry soon enough. You've certainly spent enough time and money, something good will happen soon.

 

well i've put a few miles on the old girl and all seems quiet! but now my valet switch has decided to play up not that i use it but it's nice to know that it will work if ever needed.
One final piece to the noise puzzle, When i removed the original engine one of the engine mounts(drivers side for us in the UK) was split in half! i was just wondering if this could be the cause for those that just experience a noise from their kitty when cornering as this could be twisting the engine and gearbox against the propshaft which could have been the cause for the scratch marks on mine?

 

I used to own an AAMCO transmission shop and I can offer some general information in regards to rebuilds etc.

I would not trust any independent transmission shop (or chain) to rebuild one of these transmissions - unless they specialize in say German transmissions or even narrower. In other words, if the builder does not have a LOT of experience with a particular tranny model then your chances of getting a solid rebuild are very poor. That goes for most modern transmissions.

If a repair shop gives you a specific price (rather than a range) for the rebuild before they pull it and open it up - then they almost have to be quoting at the high end as the actual cost is heavily dependent on the hard parts damage.

Some of the centralized rebuilders, like Jasper can offer pretty good value. They are not cheap but their units are run though a test harness before they are shipped out. That along with their high level of experience means that their failure rate is pretty low. They also offer (or at least used to) a good warranty.

If I ever need a transmission for my XKR I will be looking for a LOW mileage unit from a breaker. Second choice would be a used unit with 60k miles or less on it. My third choice would be a Jasper or similar. Fourth would be an independent rebuild from a local SPECIALIST transmission builder if accompanied by a strong warranty and if they have been in business for a long time - or a dealership if the price was close.