Hello everyone,
I finally did it. I tackled the transmission pan and filter change, and the Mechatronic sleeve.
I have been dreading this project. I have read all of the posts and watched all of the Yoo Toob videos.
I was hoping that the bolts would be easy to remove.
Once I got under the car (on a friends chassis lift), I discovered that the bolts were already changed to the T40 size.
And, every one of them came of easily without any problems!
When the old fluid came out, it wasn't black. It didn't look too dirty at all. I wanted to change the fluid because I didn't have detailed service records and I thought that it probably was the original fluid, 80K miles.
Also, I have been getting the WHOOP sound under power downshifts, and the hard CLUNK from 2nd to 1st gear. So I figured the fluid and filter needed changing.
Anyway, I installed the sleeve, but the instructions that I printed for replacing the sleeve said that after installing the sleeve, then refill the transmission, then connect the wire plug to the mechatronic unit.

QUESTION: Is there a specific way to fill and then connect the Mechatronic? Or can you just connect it and fill the transmission?

We left the Mechatronic unplugged.
Using the instructional flow chart I printed from ZF, we did the following steps:
We started to pump in the new fluid. 3 1/2 quarts and it started to trickle out of the fill hole.
We stopped. Installed the fill plug and started the car. Removed the fill plug and started pumping more fluid in.
It took about 5 1/2 quarts. Installed the plug. Ran the car through the gears, with my foot on the brake. The transmission really clunked when I put it in Reverse, then when I put it in Drive. I waited about 3-5 seconds in each gear. Then ran back up the gears, waiting 3 seconds in each until I was back in Park. All of this with the transmission on NORMAL setting, not SPORT. Then removed the fill plug, engine running, and added more fluid until it started coming out. We were monitoring the temperature with a small infrared device that I purchased used at a garage sale. It was hard to get accurate readings. Then a lot of fluid started coming out and the temps were too high.
So we stopped for the night. Let it cool down.
Today we are going to start the process again.
I have a kitchen thermometer with a metal probe that I thought I'd use.
Also, I have the iCarsoft LR V2.0.diagnostic tool.
On the box it says that it reads live data. I don't know if it will tell me transmission fluid temps. I have to read the manual, unless anyone here knows.

Any ideas of what I need to do differently?
Start with a cold transmission and fill?
Please help me with this.

 

Hi Todd!

You are almost there!

I would reconnect the Mechatronic before you start your fill procedure again. The Mechatronic has to be connected in order to read the transmission fluid temperature with a scan tool. Hopefully your iCarsoft can read it. If not, either try aiming your infrared thermometer at the fluid coming out of the fill hole, or try your kitchen thermometer in the fill hole if you can get it in there. Don't measure the temp of the pan. Plastic is a poor conductor of heat, so the reading can be significantly different than the fluid temperature (usually colder).

I try to start reinstalling the fill plug when the fluid temperature reaches 38°C / 100°F so by the time I get it installed and seated the fluid will not have exceeded 40°C / 104°F. This results in the optimal fluid level.

I assume you are using Motorcraft Mercon SP?

Cheers,

Don

 

Yes. I am using Mercon SP. Red stuff. Does NOT taste like Cherry soda. (they lied about that)
So, I attach the plug for the Mechatronic.
Start the car.
Then remove the fill plug.
If no fluid comes out, start filling, while monitoring temp of fluid.
Stop filling when fluid comes out and is at around 38C.
Install the plug.
Do I need to run through the gears again or is that going to be okay?
Do I have the procedure correct?

 

During the past decade, Wayne (cjd777), Rick (joycesjag), and I have done the ZF 6HP26 ATF drain-and-fill procedure a total of five different times across two different Jaguars (my former 2005 S-Type and my wife's current 2006 XK8). Anytime we pump in more ATF, someone is ALWAYS in the drivers seat to run through the gears so we can assure the fresh ATF is indeed getting to where it needs to be throughout the system. We also use Mercon SP. Works for us....

 

Hi Todd,

At your point in the process, you have enough new fluid in the system that running through the gears again isn't strictly necessary, but it's a good idea. Do it after starting the engine but before removing the drain plug. Don't remove the drain plug until you've started the engine or a bunch of new fluid will spill out.

Cheers,

Don

 

just a bit of info. after you fill it you need to go on a 5 to 10 mile trip at part throttle nice and easy so the transmission will adjust its adaptives. I had a cluck after changing my fluid too but it went away as I was test driving it.

so make sure you take it out for a test drive when youve finished filling the transmisson

 

Note: to the OP, as per the Jaguar service bulletin, when using your scan device, doesn’t matter what kind, the transmission temp must be read with the transmission in reverse or drive. When you are in neutral or park, the display you see is actually the engine temperature.

I use the icarsoft LR-v1 and it take a few seconds for the display to show the correct temperature after the gear shifter is moved from one gear to the other. For example, if I’m in park and the the icarsoft is showing 180 F, it will still show 180 F for a few seconds after shifting into drive. Then the displayed temp will switch over to the actual transmission temperature.


I don’t know the service bulletin that addresses this subject but I’ll try to find it. I argued with my transmission service technician over this display issue for several minutes before giving up and just showing him. He was determined to convince me that his thousand dollar reader would display the transmission temp regardless of what gear the car was in.

Z

PS Service bulletin # 307-06

PPS: note post below. The bulletin only apply to the 4.0 L cars, and possibly only the XKR’s and not the 8’s.

 

Hi Z,

Note that the OP has a N/A 4.2L with the ZF 6HP26. My Autel MaxiSys Elite scan tool reads the transmission fluid temp separately from the engine coolant temp even in Park.

Cheers,

Don

 

thank you for the observation & clarification. I will edit post accordingly.

Z

 

UPDATE:
We got the transmission filled and buttoned up. I had to touch the battery terminals together to clear everything, including the Restricted Performance, which appeared for the first time after we refilled the transmission on Thursday. The RP message has never appeared before that. Probably because the Mechatronic wasn’t connected. I’ve only driven it briefly. No problems so far.
I will drive it more today.
I wasn’t able to figure out how to get to the live temperature data from the transmission.
The manual isn’t clear at all.
Maybe the model I have, iCarsoft LR V2.0, doesn’t have the capability to read that.

So, that job is finally done!
Hopefully I won’t have any problems with it.

On Monday, I’m having the high pressure power steering hose replaced, and two oil cooler hoses, and the water pump.
I have another, very strange problem that I need everyone’s help with.
I will create a new post for that. Thanks to you all for your comments and help.
I’m grateful.