My 04 XKR developeed the "Squalk". I thought about addative but the consensus seems to be doing a fluid change. I'm going to go with the change instead of adative and get it over. I spoke with my mechanic today who has flushing equipment.

His "Mitchels" system recomends using Dextron 6 fluid with Lube Guard Platinum adative in place of the Lifeguard fluid from ZF. Does anyone have any words of wisdome on that or on flushing the system.

Thanks, Jim

 

Just had my 04 XK8 done due to a leaking pan gasket. We used Redline D6 which appears to meet spec.

I wasn't experiencing any tranny problems, but after the fluid change the tranny seems noticeably smoother. Even my wife noticed the difference

 

I have 114K miles on my 05MY. Had the squawk early on and again just recently. Service the filter and replaced about 5 qts and squawk dramatically reduced but didn't completely go away. Had a pan leak so did another drain and refill with fresh oil and still less but not gone. Using the Lifeguard 6 in both refills. I would guess I'm somewhere in the 60% new and 40% old oil mixture. I'm considering a complete flush but not convinced that will totally eliminate the squawk. Not real sure about changing to another brand oil since that could be potentially a high cost if the transmission gets worst.


Did these 2 services my self but not confident I can do the complete flush my self. Seems as though getting all the fluid out of the torque convertor is a bit of a challenge for DIY. It was a bear to do the service in itself, especially while under the car and running.

 

I spoke to the Jag Dealer in Cherry Hill. I asked them about the pan they said they don't mess with it unless it's leaking. They will do the flush for just over $300. I did not think that was too bad? I want to get it done on my 2003 XKR.

 

I could see this as a goodway to go but I'd really like to have the filter replaced if I was doing mine, did they comment on the filter?

 

So per the OP's question does anybody have experience with the Dextron 6 fluid.

 

The benchmark on which alternative ATFs may or may not be appropriate in the ZF 6HP26 is whether or not they meet the Shell M1375.4 spec as ZF corporate requires. Some owners here have used fluids that do, some have used fluids that do not, and some have used fluids that could not be confirmed either way. The best advice is to do your due diligence and choose your fluid carefully....

 

They just said since it's a sealed system, they do not remove the pan.

 

Well it's not sealed once they have drained it is it?
The filter is also integral with the pan so it makes sense to change it along with the electrical sleeve that can only be accessed when the pan is off.

 

My wife's 2004 XJ8 developed hard 1-2 upshift and 2-1 downshift at 177,000 miles. The local transmission shop drove it and said the tranny needed a rebuild which could cost 5 gs. Although the car is immaculate it isn't worth that. I changed the fluid and filter/pan assembly myself and the problem went away and 4,000 miles later it is shifting fine. The idea that the use of only Lifeguard 6 ZF fluid is BS. 05 and 06 Lincoln Navigators use the same 6 HP-26 tranny so I bought a case of Mercon SP at around $6 a qt. and filter/pan assembly from Rock Auto for $96. To do this service I used a very short T-50 torx bit and 8mm end wrench and a T-27 torx driver for the pan bolts. I filled the tranny using a plastic tube with an L barb at one end and a funnel at the other. The tube was run into the engine compartment and the tube was insulated from the catalytic converter. Easier than using a pump. The reason European cars lose all their value is the cost of maintenance.

 

"Squalk" assume this is the sound the trans makes????

 

Thanks for the information. I'm going to look into what the Navigator used for 05 06 and see what fluid that calls for. Mitchels recomended Dextron 6 with Lifeguard Platinum. That is hard to find, the Mercon SP would be a much cheaper way to go if there is no harm as I could power flush it (takes about 20 quarts and clear the torque Converter easily while I'm at it and not have a mix of new and old. All that needs to be done to do it that way is disconnect the coolor lines and use those poorts for flush / refill. Thanks for the comment.