Thanks for the pics of the drain position. Makes sense and easily done. Safetying the plug was a nice touch.

 

I'm sorry but I don't understand how one would re-fill the differential, by the example and pic posted with the safety wired pipe plug. That would be fine as a drain plug, (and drilling while the differential is holding fluid is a great idea for flushing metal shavings). One may want to use a pnuematic drill, rather than electric, due to the nature of gravity. But again......I ask how conducive is that new orifice to refilling ???

 

The differential does a have an ungodly to get at fill plug and that is addressed separately. It just doesn't have a drain and that is what the above solution remedied. This link is about filling. https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...iff-oil-71492/ What has seemingly been determined is that access on the coupe may be easier than the drophead, though the fill plug seems to be in the same location on the differential of XK, XJ, etc.

 

1/6/13 Finally got the garage insulated so I could service the differential. (10" of snow and cold outside in Elkhart Lake, WI) Fabricated the tool as described. Used 1/2" square stock, ground on one end to fit a 9/16 ratching box wrench. The best direction to access the plug on the convertible seems to be from above. It only took about an hour along with a 1/2" drive ratchet on the open end of the ratcheting box end wrench to break the plug free and get it out. Make sure your parts like the square stock fit tight in the wrench. It is possible to drop parts into the rear end support plate and damn hard to retrieve them.

Heated the oil by soaking the container in hot water, cut the pump tubes as short as possible and put 650ml (22 oz) into a system that holds about 1800 ml. Wow! Explains the whine but hopefully no damage. Made an effort to get the plug back in but ran out of ambition. The overflow runs everywhere so I'll just let it drip til morning. This is not a job for the faint of heart or the impatient.

1/7/13 Got the plug back in today. Took three tries and again about an hour. The key is to enter from above and get enough light on the opening to line up the threads and rotate with the ratching box end until it catches. Use a flat headed screw driver from below to put presssure on the back of the plug. Make sure you wedge the plug onto the square stock with a piece of card so it doesn't fall off as you move it around. Like anything, the next time should go much quicker. Not looking forward to a seal change.

 

Has anyone ever solved differential leaks by cleaning breather? 1st post! 1999 XK8...209,000 miles...still daily driving! Warmly, Andy

 

Yes. And it is recommended as the first diagnostic step.

 

Excellent question! Can you guys give more info. "209,000" on a Jag. Damned impressive. What have you done to achieve that?

 

If British cars are such carp why do you drive one, just stick with a yank tank! Or could it be the English style and quality that you hanker for?

 

Hey now. What I've done is drive the heck out of it! Other than the crap transmission(on # 5 now, 6 counting the one it came with), I keep my daily driver driven. This forum has been a huge help! New paint, new top, lowered, body kit...I drive it hard. Oh yeah, change oil(non-synthetic) every 7500 miles. Warmly, Andy

 

So your basically outrunning the demons chasing all of us. Well done! How do you acquire replacement tranny's and are you doing your own work?

As far as calling British cars "crap". I was introduced to an dark blue XK120 fixed head when I was a teenager working at a local gas station and loved it so much the owner had me wash it once a week for an extra $2 over my $1 /hr wage. I guess in my enthusiasim, I "detailed" it before detailing was invented. Wood, leather, real instruments and a beautiful engine. Functionality was secondary. The British have always made great automotive furniture, it's getting the wheels turning reliably that is the problem. I didn't buy a 120 because I could not afford one. I bought what I could afford. The XKR is simply a reminder of the XK120. No current Jaguar does that and from the direction I see, they never will. Maybe I'll find a Morgan I can afford.

 

I have the best Indi in the world! Original Jaguar in Covina, Ca! The trannys(non-British as you know), are actually much cheaper than years past. I don't do much of my own work...but did get my clogged differential breather un-clogged today! I sure would've liked to check/add fluid...but no way. She makes no noise and hopefully breather will stop the leak! Cheers, Andy

 

Unclogging is good, but if it already leaked, then it is already down below the required fill.

 

Thank you so much for your time. it has only leaked a few spots for a few days. Nothing this morning! It can't be more than an ounce. What do you think? Planning a looooong drive in 2 days. Thank you again. Andy

 

First time I've actually heard of breather issues and that might explain what happened on mine. There is no current leak but there was at one point. I'll check the breather and make sure it remains functional. It's a pain but topping it off isn't impossible if your planning a road trip. As far asd tranny's go. My A8L had a ZF and if the reverse clutch goes bad your looking at a new tranny. Glad the XKR has a Mercedes unit.

 

Thank you again for your input. I went to town today and replaced upper and lower ball joints and a-arms (both sides), the rack and pinion, 2 front rotors and pads, Top sway-bar bushings...and for good measure threw in a complete junkyard differential (on the passenger floorboard)! Some guys carry spare belts/hoses, I got a spare differential! ROAD TRIP in the boonies. Be safe my friend. Regards, Andy

 

Interesting.........not sure how to respond. "Shirley you can't be serious"

 

Socal to Indiana in 50 hours! Both differentials made it intact! The spare differential seems a bit of an overkill, but balanced the auto nicely! 212,528 on the odometer now! Thank you again Excalibur! cheers, Andy

 

Well done Andy!

 

I have used some of the techniques on the forum to gain access to the plug but so far I cannot get it to break loose. Have sprayed PB Blaster. I just want to make sure these are "normal" righthand threads before I really crank on the plug (IE- Will turning the plug anti-clockwise loosen it?). Thanks, Jac

 

Yes it's anticlockwise, dont worry, you can crank hardly on the plug, i drained it 4 times!!! to try to eliminate a whine which is different according the the filled oil.....!
regards,
Pascal