I just purchased a 2006 XK8 with 79k on the clock. Question I have is should I service the trans change fluid and filter (fluid Mercon SP or Jag specific)? How is the quality of the 2006 ZF trans good bad? Can you purchase rebuilt units it the trans does go and approx how much? Thanks for your time.

Regards,
Mike Sharkey

 

Welcome to the forum Shark1,

You'll find a lot of threads discussing this topic.

Please follow this link New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the New Member Area - Intro a MUST forum and post some information about yourself and your vehicle for all members to see. In return you'll get a proper welcome and some useful advice about posting to the forum.

Graham

 

The ZF 6HP26 is a widely-used transmission in quite a few vehicle makes and models that has proven to be relatively reliable if properly cared for. If you have no documentation that the ATF has been changed in your car, you are at the mileage point where many of us have already done an ATF drain-and-fill (I have done two drain-and-fills in both of our ZF 6HP26 Jaguars). Quite a few of us here on the forum use Mercon SP. I have been doing so for several years, and both of our ZFs continue to perform exactly as designed....

 

You cannot go wrong servicing this transmission if you don't know the history. Some (most?) of us go with the cheaper Mercon SP ($7/qt), others want to stay more original with the ZF LifeGuard 6 ($20/qt). Hardly anyone goes with the Jaguar/dealer fluid. Pan/filter kits are available "everywhere", just make sure the refill procedure is done correctly (it involves temperature). Best is to do a filter/refill and a new connector sleeve now, then do a simple flush/refill later because you normally cannot get all the old fluid out in one procedure. This double service involves flushing the fluid of the first service, so the better Mercon SP price makes more sense.

These transmissions (6HP26) are generally considered very good. There is no real known major design flaws, but in the end it is a mechanical device, so it is subject to failure especially if abused or poorly maintained.

If you are doing this maintenance and the shifts are less then smooth, you might have to re-set the adaptations (a software procedure). It re-calibrates the solenoid valves as per the new fluid. If you are visiting the dealer for this, you might want to have them check the software and do a reflash with a newer version, just because.

This transmission is well known, used on quite a few cars, so there are tons of parts, kits, manuals, rebuild this-and-that, etc. all around. These are typically not replaced outright.

If you are into details and want to read-up, this is a good place to start: FAQ: Genuine ZF Parts

 

Do it...change the fluid to Mercon SP ... I did that when my kitty hits 50K I am at 75k now and everything is very smooth ..I will do it again at 100K.