The title says it all. My "new" 2005 XKR has the infamous Jaguar Squawk. I am wondering about the sensibility of draining the fluid and refilling without dropping the pan.

Would that be a bad idea or could that be enough to fix the squawk?

My local Jag repair guy said it would be $1000 to have him do it. I suppose I could also buy the additive for a couple hundred bucks too.

 

$1,000 seems a bit high for fluid, filter and gasket. I would get another estimate.

 

Thanks Gus. That's what I was thinking too. I've watched a YouTube of it and it's certainly more involved than a Ford or Chevy but it seems it shouldn't take more than a couple hours either.

I could check with some of the non-Jag shops to see if any are interested. It's basic mechanic work.

 

The additive is like hens teeth.
Is the $1000 just for a drain and refill?

 

He said there were a few other things they checked for. I don't recall exactly what it was but it would have a be a lot for me to think it's worth that kind of money.

I did know buying a Jag would hit me in the pocket harder than a domestic but seriously.

 

Jaguar warranty time was 1.2 hours. You will also need to add .3 Diagnostic time plus 'drive-in-drive-out' .1 time.

The warranty time the dealer would be paid is 1.6 hours plus the cost of fluids/materials.

A 'real-world' estimate of labor time is usually warranty time, times time and a half.(1.6 x 1.5 = 2.4 hours or about two and a half hours.)

If you were to ask for this repair at a reputable shop, I would expect the repair estimate to be 2.5 to 3.0 hours labor plus materials.

Just my opinion and what I would charge for this repair.

bob

 

Thanks bob. Some very good info.

 

Mine started the squak..changed fluid without dropping the pan, here's my tips...
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...y-tips-149505/
Squak went away!

 

Excellent Jandreu! This sounds like something I could do as a start and if it works like it did on yours I would be very happy.

 

I was under the impression the trans filter should also be replaced. By just changing out the fluid the loose metal particles are still floating around in the pan and can cause some problems. Not sure of this. Some clarity would help since I plan on changing out the fluid in my car.

 

A competent Jaguar specialist can replace the ZF pan and fluid for you.

The electrical connector sleeve on the side of the 6HP26 should also be replaced at the same time as they are prone to leak.

Below is the procedure for checking the fluid level.

 

Thanks much NBCat. I tend to agree with SLazz that it's better to change the filter too but I'm thinking I could start with just changing the fluid as this could easily be done myself.

My only issue with having my local Jaguar specialist do it is the $1000 price he quoted me. It seems excessive.

 

As Gus mentioned above, shop around as there are probably other shops in the Valley that are familiar with this gearbox.

 

Fluid in the pan is drawn through the filter by the pump, so particles in the pan stay there. But not changing the filter can starve the pump if too much residue builds on the filter. Someone had a thread dealing with that problem recently.

 

I think a $1000 is too high. My independent quoted approx. $800 with a filter change. Best the OP shop around.

 

There are very well-written instructions here on the forum on how to do a drain-and-fill on these ZF 6HP26 units, both for dropping the pan and for not dropping the pan. If you switch to Mercon SP ATF like many of us have, and then take the time to learn how to do it yourself (it is much better as a two-man job with one guy working underneath the car and one guy working in the drivers seat shifting the gears as required), you can do an ATF refresh for a fraction of what even a reasonably-priced indie shop would charge you. Rick (joycesjag), Wayne (cjd777) and I have done at least four of them together at Rick's house and have become old pros at this job....

 

As RJ says.... I had a problem with my 97 XK8 and did the fluid and filter change myself with no issues. This was because of a noise in the trans....turned out that the filter was the original from 20 years ago and 100K miles. The trans could not get any oil to the pump because of a clogged filter . Changing the filter and adding new fluid made everything fine again. Not a bad job... worst part was getting the pan bolts loose.
Mike in TN

 

You people are missing the point that the TSB was issued in 08-04 and AMENDED 12-04.

Since the gearbox was installed in vehicles from about 2003 onward, the cars were still in NEW CAR WARRANTY and likely had LOW MILEAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jaguar was NOT going to recommend installation of NEW PAN/FILTERS when there was nothing wrong with the relatively new ones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You should replace your HIGH MILEAGE (likely clogged pan/filters) as a maintenance item. The TSB is almost 15 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bob

 

And shop around for the fluid, remember the box was made by zF, so all you have to do is match the spec's printed on the jag bottle

I was luck enough to buy 20lt of LT71141 fluid (not the same as yours) for my 96 from someone that had upgraded to a XKR with a different box and paid the princely sum of £50...he even dropped it to me! That was enough for one change, plus when I had to change the transmission over the independent specialist couldn't charge me huge £££'s for the fluid.

So there may be some owners who have sold there's and have the fluid (now useless to them) sitting in their garage.

 

So there's a guy I work with who's father runs a Mercedes repair shop here in the Valley.

I bet he could do it since it's like a Mercedes tranny. At least I've read the ZF is used in them a lot.

I've asked my coworker to check for me.