What is the wisdom of the Forumistas RE about how often and when to change the rear differential fluid on a 2003 XKR with 65,000 miles on it?

I just had the transmission fluid drained and replaced before I pick it up on Friday for the drive back through South East England and across France. Yeah!!

Looking through the service maintenance lists though I don't see anything for changing the differential fluid though I understand it is high spec for the XKR.

All service records from new.

thanks for any info.

jj

 

Assuming you will go for an LSD in the near future, there is no need to change it now, otherwise I would do it. The original fluid from Shell has special additives for a long life, so you can drive it longer. If you change to a different fluid, you need to know for that specific type how long it can last. Changing it isn't easy as there is no drain plug, but doable, there have been posts about it on the forum.

 

Thanks Avos;

Is there a recommended interval for changing diff fluid?

100,000/162,000 miles/km for instance?

cheers,

jj

 

Duno, am also not sure if there could be aging of the oil, so as said I would do it now on your car for just to be sure (unless you are going to change to LSD in the near future, then its not worth the effort now).

 

The fluid will last until the pinion seal gives up and leaks. This is when to change it. This usually happens in the 100K miles region. Be sure to keep an eye on pinion seal leaks, as when this happens, if you don't catch it, you'll be pulling and Remanning the diff. Look at it at least every time the oil is changed.

 

Even in closed containers oils have a shelf life, and as the diffs are open (breather valve) I would guess that the gear oil doesn’t have an endless life in there either.
What makes you believe that after 8 years it is still good enough for optimum protection? Am not saying it isn’t, I can’t as I don’t have any oil analyses of my old oil (or anyone else’s).

 

Basically it is nearly impossible to reach the drain plug, and it is on top of the unit, with no room to maneuver a suction device. Therefore it is a "run to fail" situation, unless you move suspension components out of the way, and probably end up dropping the unit out of the car. Ask me how I know this.
Based on the opinions of the crew where I attempted to complete this feat, they seemed to feel that the unit resembled a Ford rear end. Go figure that.

 

Pics that help from member Cheaperts

And this link with pics from member Race Diagnostics.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...iff-oil-71492/

 

Wow. Another impossible-to-reach component that may be prone to failure. I'll add it to my list of things to check routinely. That list is currently 47 pages long....

Well, maybe not quite that long (yet). But it surely seems that way with this quirky car....

 

To be clear, the fill plug is not on top ... that would be the breather vent.

The fill plug is about 1/3 of the way up the rear cover and to the right of center.

One way to think about changes is that the access for both checking and filling is the same. Through the fill plug. Once you are in there to check the level, you might as well go ahead and change it.

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...rential-62744/

Specifically see "Jeff in Tucson" comment in the attached link for a bit of creativity on this issue (getting an accessible drain drilled/tapped into the diff).

 

Got a similar problem with my diff, managed to get the car up on a ramp for a quick look, the diff is bone dry and the oil in there looks to be in pretty good condition.

What is the best way to get the old oil out, syphon?

 

So does anyone know what oil type and quantity in the rear diff please? Going to change mine soon.
Also anyone know what gearbox fluid and how much of that also please chaps? I got mountains of work to do on mine to get back in tip top condition.

 

Diff lubricant, PAGE 38

Shell Spirax Super TS90 JLM 20255 1.9 liters (2.0 U.S. quarts)

bob gauff

 

Cool Thanks :-)

 

You need to review the previous entries. The outside of my case was bone dry as well and took 22 oz of oil. There is no easy way to service it. The fill plug is a bear to get out on drop heads and since there is no drain unless you install one you need to siphon. The fill plug is the correct level. Pump it in until it runs out. Since it's going to take a bit to get the plug back in just put a container under the diff and let it drip for awhile.