I have been having some "growling " noise in high gear on my 97 Xk8 convertible. I think I may need a rebuilt trans soon. Does anyone know of a video or tutorial on removing and replacing an XK8 trans? I have seen several on changing the fluid, but not on changing the whole trans.
Thanks
Mike in TN

 

JTIS21 covers that and several threads here and on the XJ8 forum also. Are you able to download from the JTIS sticky?

Have you checked the wheel bearings for growling? That's an unusual complaint for the transmission.

 

RJ et al,
This past weekend I changed the oil and filter, and then checked the trans fluid to see if it was full. The trans was full.... but in checking it , I had the car off the ground and wheels spinning for a while. In gear I found that I have a "rattley" noise in the front left of the engine... maybe timing chain?.... it would only make the noise while the wheels were spinning and I gave it some power. In park there was no noise at any rev. I am now wondering if the noise I hear while driving is from the front and not the trans at all. A drive after all this did not show any noise... I will take the car for a longer drive and see if I can pin down the noise.
Mike in TN

 

Left front would probably be the serpentine belt tensioner pullley. Remove the belt and rotate by hand. It should feel smooth and silky if not the bearing is on its way out.
The dealer will tell you that you have to replace the whole tensioner. The upgraded part from Jaguar doesn't have a removable pulley. What they don't know or won't tell you is that the tensioner pulley and idler pulley are the same.
Also, check the idler pulley while the belt is off. If it is rough feeling then replace both. They are not that expensive at the local auto parts store.
The only difference is the tensioner pulley is held on by a left hand thread bolt and the idler is a standard bolt.

 

Vern,
thanks for the quick answer....however, I just changed the tensioner pulley a week ago and know that it is good now. The noise I heard was from the valve cover area. Probably the timing tensioner... just strange that it only makes the noise then the wheels are spinning off the ground. I will be looking into checking the timing chains and tensioners just to be safe since I do not know when or if they have been changed. Today I took a piece of garden hose, ran it out to the front of the engine, then under the unlatched hood and in the window....I could hear the engine GREAT.... but no bad noises from engine, However the noise from the trans is still there.
Mike in TN :-(