My 1998 XK8 has a bad transmission. Interior and rest of car in very good condition but it seems transmission replacement is about $8K. Probably going to sell to recycle shop. Any suggestions?

Posting as I'm feeling sad but the car does not warrant additional $8k investment.

BTW - looking to see how to update my signature. I am now located in Washington DC

 

Who diagnosed a bad transmission? What are the symptoms? And how old is your battery? Failing batteries can cause transmission issues....

 

+ 1 to Jon's question. First eliminate the obvious before graduating to the expensive!

The usual killer of an early XK8 is a failed engine. If it does turn out be terminal transmission, you must be able to source a good used transmission at a very reasonable cost ......

I've updated your signature to Washington, DC.

Graham

 

The car started giving a transmission fault message about 3 months ago. Had the transmission inspected and serviced (fluid/filter change). There were small metal pieces in the filter. Transmission shop said it was shot and needed replacing. Worked fine for 3 months and now getting fault again and car won't easily move. Give it enough gas and it will jerk forward and slowly move...
The interior is very clean and it has new shocks and great tires. Hoping to find someone that needs a project as it seems a shame to junk it...but I don't have a place (nor time) to work on it.

 

Sorry to hear that. If I was thinking about keeping that car, I would obtain repair estimates from several different transmission shops who have experience with ZF transmissions....

 

Instead of sending you on your way they should have advised you to have the transmission rebuilt. It's about £2800.

 

If I were you, and I was you about five years ago, I would buy a used transmission with a warranty and have someone install it. As it happens, I'm near Washington, DC and can give you a couple recommendations for installers if you don't enjoy laying on your back on a cold floor, balancing a 300 pound hunk of metal with transmission oil dripping in your face. Haven't used the messaging system here for awhile, but recall you can drop me a note if you are interested.

I spent about $1,500 to replace my transmission. (A little more because I had it pulled and replaced twice. Would go straight to a used unit, given the situation again.) The transmission works fine, but I have had a couple of electrical bugs related to the transmission since, so can't claim this is a 100% concours de elegance solution; but the car is useable and saleable. Not suggesting you don't disclose it has a used transmission if you sell it - I think you should. But you'll get more money if the car is driveable or you can enjoy it yourself.

 

Any member can post recommendations for shops on the forum provided it includes the usual disclaimer "I have no financial or commercial connection with ......."

It's only direct advertising that's restricted to forum Sponsors and Vendors.

Graham

 

Sorry to hear of your plight.
Seems you have been really unlucky to have the trans go out at 25K.

I would definitely consider having it repaired - even if you then sell it on. Otherwise, you're selling as a parts car for a heartbreaking pittance.

 

not affiliated in any way but recommend contacting Ericksonn Industries who specialize in our transmissions - Jaguar They may have a rebuilt in stock or can rebuild and don't believe it will cost near as much as what was quoted

 

I'm in agreement with the idea of replacing or rebuilding the transmission if you can keep the cost down, it will be better than giving the car away at trade time. I always thought of my cars as friends, and taking one to a junkyard is tough. I decided to toss my wife's very nice Audi A6 that broke a timing belt and it bothered me for quite awhile.

 

I just went through tranny failure on a 98 1 yr ago. Shop around. Easy to fi d folks to do it for $4000 or $5000. A little harder but certainly achievable to find reputable shops that'll do it for $1,800 - $2,000.

John

 

On Ebay I am seeing quotes for fitted remanufactured ZF6hp26 for about £1500 or so. Very reasonable. Doing a bit of research there are a bunch of places in the UK that will do it for very good prices. Nice to know actually.

 

I'm in the UK and was able to get a low mileage, used, warranted (6 months) supplied and fitted for £1200 for my 1998 XK8. However, I was looking for at least 6 months before I found this, so it is down to timing and luck.

 

Most likely an A drum failure. There have been a lot of posts on this subject. The ZF 5 speed isn't a rare tranny. Other guys have had them rebuilt. I wouldn't give up on the car. As others have mentioned, it's not easy to get anything out of a non-runner.

 

Thank you. Just to clarify (I haven't updated my signature)....car now has 77,000 miles on it.
Also finally retired the XJ8 at 176,000

 

FYI - I've had mine rebuilt twice - first time cost me a bit over 3k and second time 4800 - both times with a 24month/24000mile warranty

 

https://www.oregonperformancetransmi...-5HP24-RB.html

It used to be that the 5hp24 was a high-end and complex-ish transmission - where a transmission shop would see dollar signs when one showed up. But it ain't no more. Lots of cars have them and lots of shops have worked on them. Finding the right shop, supplying the,,, supplies,,,, and a transmission out of the car already is key. If you're able to provide all that you can give'm that LOOK if they give you some crazy price,,, and that 8k price is crazy!

I don't know what your situation is or what your willingness to work in the car is BUT, even if you don't want to do the work you can find someone who will. Pull the trans or have someone else do it (folks here can help with that) and deliver it to a researched transmission repair shop (take your time) and negotiate what happens next...? That's what I would try/do...

 

A good transmission guy knows how 'easy' it is for them. They have the tools and experience (bless em) and they will work with you, if you work it.

will give an idea of what's involved, so you will know. It's good to have a sense of what involved even if you (the general you) don't know how to do it yourself - I certainly don't 'know',,, not yet anyways.

 

Thank you all for the input. Unfortunately I lice in a condo in DC and can't work on the car myself and in any case a transmission swap (which I did in my 20's) would be beyond my capabilities at the moment. I found someone that wants to fix the car up for a weekender, including a few small cosmetic details. Sold it and expect it will be kept on the road. Adios....