Our S-type member - jag79, found a supplier that has the entire parts kit you need to do a change of your fluid in your ZF 6HP26 tranny, using the ZF Lifeguard ATF, in case you're not comfortable going with any alternate fluid.

The ZF 6HP26 is in the 2003-2006 XK8s and XKRs.

For the entire thread details, talk of a steel pan substitute, and some first hand purchase experience, just go over to this thread.

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I will Sticky this thread for 2 months, then it will be listed in the FAQ section for future reference. Sticky to terminate on 1/1/2011.

 

Matt.....this needs to be un stickied now unless there is interest I'm not aware of?

Thanks

 

Which kit would be needed for a 2005 Super V8? Does it have the same ZF 6HP26 transmission as the XKR?

 

Super V8? I haven't heard of that. The 2005 XK8 and XKR both used the ZF 6HP26 transmission. The main difference between the 8 and the R was that the R had a supercharged engine and the 8 was normally aspirated. They were both 4.2 liter engines, and those were the only engines used in the 2005 model year.

In other words, If you have 2005 XK, it uses a ZF 6HP26 transmission.

 

I'm taking a chance here... I just ordered a transmission pan/filter from rockauto.com. It was $101, compared to $127 from the company that h20boy posted above. I have my fingers crossed that it is complete with the plug and gasket. Shipping was about $4 cheaper, too, so if it's the exact same item I saved about $30. I'm going to use either Mercon SP fluid or Redline D6. Ford specs the Mercon SP in their cars that use the 6hp26, and Redline's website specifically states that their D6 fluid is compatible with 6hp26 transmissions ( http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=115&pcid=9 ).

 

I hate to sound ****, but if it were my $10K tranny, I would order the kit from CTSC with the real ZF Lifeguard 6 fluid. Why take a chance? This kit is pricier but by the time you add all new pan bolts and the sealing sleeve, it will run about $300..money well spent. I would be worried about introducing a foreign fluid into the system without some support from the tranny manufacturer that it will be fully compatible. I will note that I am getting ready to do the fluid in the XJ8 and the XKR and CTSC has the fluid on backorder right now.

 

I guess I'm kinda **** in the opposite way; I can be very frugal. I don't see the point in paying more for something when you can buy the exact same thing for less. I believe that rockauto's pan is the exact same ZF pan that CTSC is selling, it's just $30 cheaper. The filter is integrated with the pan and it "should" come with the gasket. If not, I guess it wasn't a very good deal after all. I'll find out in a day or two. CTSC was out of the pan bolts, too, so I guess I'll be buying those at the local dealer.

In regards to the fluid, it's ILLEGAL for Jaguar to state that you MUST use Jaguar or ZF fluid (at least in the United States). The Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act requires that a manufacturer cannot void your warranty if you don't use a particular name-brand product in your vehicle. They CAN tell you that you must use a fluid that meets a certain specification, which in this case is Shell 1375.4. Mercon SP, Castrol Multi-Vehicle ATF, and Redline D6 all meet the Shell spec. I've been researching the transmission fluid issue for a week or so, and many other vehicles use the 6HP26 transmission but specify a fluid other than the ZF fluid. That's my opinion on the subject, but I completely understand that some people may want to stick to the ZF fluid.

 

Woohoo! I just checked the tracking. My new transmission pan/filter is supposed to be here today. How many pan bolts do you think I'll break trying to remove it? I want to go to the dealer and pick some up before I get started.

 

Contrary to all the reports, the bolts on my 6HP26 (2003 S-Type) came out without incident. I had the torque converter replaced under warranty three years ago, however, so it probably was serviced once already.

I guess it does not hurt to have some spares on hand.