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I have a 1997 XK8 THAT IS LEAKING A SMALL DROPS OF OIL. Mechanic says its from the rear main seal and to leave it alone its a big job to replace. any suggestion or others who have this issue?
Probably has the oil gallery plug and/or the rear crank seal.
One of my XKRs has the oil gallery seal leaking but it is a GEARBOX OUT repair that I will get to 'someday'.
That plug is another brilliant Jag design. They couldn't just use a pipe plug with sealer, nor could they use an aluminum crush washer. Theirs has a metal washer with a rubber ring in the inner perimeter. The rubber perishes after a while and then it's time to pull the trans. Sigh.
The oil drip on the bottom of the bellhousing is almost certainly from the rear main seal or the oil gallery plug but the oil spread over the rear of the gearbox pan might be from the mechatronics / electric sleeve, which is a common failure point, or from the pan/sump seal, which is less common. These latter leaks would not need gearbox removal for rectification.
Drag your finger across the bottom on the bellhousing and smell the oil, then do the same with the oil spray on the back of the gearbox. The gearbox fluid is a similar brown colour to engine oil but does not smell the same.
The oil drip on the bottom of the bellhousing is almost certainly from the rear main seal or the oil gallery plug but the oil spread over the rear of the gearbox pan might be from the mechatronics / electric sleeve, which is a common failure point, or from the pan/sump seal, which is less common. These latter leaks would not need gearbox removal for rectification.
Drag your finger across the bottom on the bellhousing and smell the oil, then do the same with the oil spray on the back of the gearbox. The gearbox fluid is a similar brown colour to engine oil but does not smell the same.
Richard
The mechatronic leak does not apply to his gearbox, it's for the ZF 6HP26 on the later 4.2 cars.
On his car, this is a great time to install the TransGo modification to the transmission.
The mechatronic leak does not apply to his gearbox, it's for the ZF 6HP26 on the later 4.2 cars.
I don't understand. To the best on my knowledge, the connector sleeve on the 5 speed boxes is also prone to leakage as the car ages. Mine still seems to be OK but I have seen 4.0 X100's with a weeping sleeve.
I don't understand. To the best on my knowledge, the connector sleeve on the 5 speed boxes is also prone to leakage as the car ages. Mine still seems to be OK but I have seen 4.0 X100's with a weeping sleeve.
Richard
Mostly the W5A580 (722.6) Mercedes box on the 4.0 SuperCharged.
The ZF 5HP24 rarely leaks at the electrical connector.
Mostly the W5A580 (722.6) Mercedes box on the 4.0 SuperCharged.
The ZF 5HP24 rarely leaks at the electrical connector.
Although I had to change the connector on a N/A X150 6 speed ZF a few weeks ago as that had leaked all over the back of the gearbox pan, much like the OP's photograph. I certainly wouldn't rule it out without checking on any ZF box as a potential source of leakage.
Richard
Last edited by RichardS; Oct 15, 2024 at 09:22 AM.
rear main seal leak XK8 1997 116,000 miles
