Recently started getting the dreaded Transmission Noise on a 2005 Jag. S-Type with the ZF transmission. I took it to a transmisison shop and the mechanic there said that these are basically 100k mile units and that with changing the transmission fluid may clear up the noise or this just may make it worse. From what the tranny shop was saying is that this is the clutch pack that is making the noise, and the impression I am getting from them is that this trasmission is going to need to be rebuilt or replaced at some point down the road and that changing the fluid will only delay the inevitable.

Any one have any experience or had this problem that can give me any more insight on this before I go and spend $4000 on rebuilding or replacing the tranny would be greatly helpful

 

NO hands on with this trans, sorry, but many over the years.

My experience that may be of interest to you and/or others is.

These 'sealed for life" type of transmissions are a real PAIN. Honda started it down here is the mid '80's, and others followed as we all know.

The "special" fluids flowed thick and fast, and basically designed for "extended life", whatever that was/is??????.

Most manufacturers have backed off from this attitude "if it ain't leaking its full, don't worry" real fast (down here at least), and now are recommending a fluid change at about 80k KMS, and filter obviously. Now some of these units have the filter in the trans pan, so a new pan (sump) is required.

I ALWAYS change the trans fluid every 2 years, no exceptions.

We just purchased a 2001 S Type 3ltr (10 days now), and the receipts with the car, included a trans fluid change some 6 months ago, I now SERIOUSLY DOUBT IT, as the fluid I just drained out was quite grubby, and the look of the unit is indicating NO spanners have been here. Now a new filter, fresh synthetic fluid, and the trans is sweeter than it was, and it was sweet before, so another fluid drain and refill will take place tomorrow.

My X300 (ZF 4HP24) was slightly grubby when purchased 3 years ago, and 7 drain and refills in that time (50k kms travelled), now has a transmission as quiet as expected, and changes smooth as I could ask for.

The son's BMW 740iL had the same noises you mention, some 3 years ago, and drain and refill with fresh synthetic fluid has now got it "smooth, quiet, barely felt changes", and that has 280k KMS on it now, and yes, it took 9 drain and refills to get the fluid concentration up to my expectations.

Thoughts of a flush to achieve the "quick refresh" did not enter the brain, as that is deemed by ZF down here to sometimes cause the transmission to go into "shock", and simply die??, so the long, dirty, time consuming method has paid off in my opinion.

I would refresh the fluid, what have you got to loose, it will either work or stay the same, or even fail.

 

I'd go with the shops recommendation, there used to be an additive which was effective at quieting the squawk in the ZFs, this has now been incorporated in the fluid.
If you do the change, it would be good to change the pan which contains the filter and also the electrical sleeve which can leak and requires the pan to be dropped to be replaced.
Ensure that the shop is aware of the level check procedure, correct level is critical for these boxes.

 

mcleod, today my 135k mile 03 STR's ZF trans. is going into the shop. Hopefully the warranty company agrees to a full rebuild and torque converter, etc. Not to be pessimistic...but yours will likely enjoy the same.

 

If you drain out a quart of fluid & add back the quart of JLM21906 ZF addative you should be fine. You can purchase this at any Jaguar dealer.

 

The additive is long gone. I went thru this with my transmission fluid change. If you use the proper ZF Lifeguard fluid it is supposed to contain the additive. That’s why they stopped offering the additive separately. Another reason to use the proper recommended fluid.

BUT after I got the fluid changed in my 2005 STR at colder temperatures (About 40F-50F) I now get a small amount of noise that was not there before.

The 6 Speed ZF is not a 100K mile transmission. Changing fluid and filter is the key to any automatic transmission life. As was posted above DO NOT neglect changing the fluid.

Also be aware that the noise means nothing. It's only annoying. There is nothing wrong with the transmission. Very much like the "Lurch". It should not be there but it's not damaging anything.
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The addative is not long gone. I work for a dealer & just ordered it a week ago. The original part C2C37157 is no longer available. JLM21906 is available thru your local dealer.

 

Thanks for that but make very sure because I spent almost a month solid looking for it. Nobody including 3 Jaguar factory techs said anything different. In fact Brutal told me if I found any to let him know so he could empty that supplier out!

Brutal; Can you comment on this new number? Did Jaguar/ZF finally re-release it under a new number?? Does this mean the Lifguard fluid still contains the additive?
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I can confirm this is correct.

My dealer in Fort Worth just added some to my trans last week and gave me the same part number.
They charged me $196.00 for this liquid gold.

 

Check out this thread. ZF even claims the additive can seize up the transmission.

http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/f32/xjr-gearbox-drain-refill-fix-squawk-noise-46541.html

This thread mentions a TSB. Does anybody have a copy? I only have the original TSB for the old additive no longer available.

 

If the Jaguar techs had called the Hotline & asked they would have been given the same info I was.

 

I suspect it means JTB00040 which is (for example) here www.jagrepair.com/images/TSB/XJ/JTB00040NAS2.pdf

 

Thanks for all the info guys this forum has been very helpful and the forums as a whole have been very educational

The car is currently in a transmission shop getting the sleeve leak taken care of and doing a fluid flush as well as replacing the pan/filter and pan gasket, I'll update once the car is back and it has had a chance to be driven

Once again thank for all the great info...

 

I have an 03 XK8 Coupe with the 6HP26 squawk/bark in third gear as well. I have heard conflicting information on the additive and what to do, so I have contacted www.thectsc.com this week to get some direction and a gentlemen by the name of Klaus took the time to answer all my questions and make recommendations. I went there as they also had the best price I could find for the Lifeguard 6 tranny fluid at $18.53 per liter. (This price was just barely cheap enough for me to justify over the Motorcraft Mercon SP O’Reilly’s has for $4.59 per quart, but I am also nutty about oem stuff admittedly I think my baby is worth it!)

Klaus was a great help, very informative and analytical. He asked about the mileage on my tranny, shift quality, leaks, etc. (which is at only 35k miles, as it was replaced by the original owner at 27k for the same squawk under warranty in 2006). He then proceeded to recommend that a simple fluid change of 6 liters (not a full flush) should be all that is needed to correct the issue for thousands of miles. I assume since the tranny is fairly low in miles and I mentioned it has no leaks that he felt the oil pan change would not be necessary at this time. I was shocked by his honest input as I was planning to order one.

He did mention that the additive is still available from ZF as well, known as Lifeguard 1 and they sell it for an astounding $131.37 per 1 liter bottle. He mentioned this is known to correct the squawking issues in every case he was aware of, at least for a period of “thousands of miles”. Also stated the Lifeguard 6 is factory edition fill, not an updated fluid with the additive already in it. So you can add the additive to it but he said he would just go with the fluid change at this point in my case to ensure this corrects the issue.

So I took his advice –ordered 6 liters of Lifeguard 6 and the new drain and fill plugs for about $120.

I’ve noticed lots of mystique around the infamous “sealed for life (that sometimes must be cracked open)” trans…

ZF states this as their official view on oil change needs for these modern gearboxes:
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5-, 6- and 8-speed as well as 4HP20 automatic transmissions:
ZF 5-, 6- and 8-speed as well as the ZF 4HP20 automatic transmissions are filled maintenance-free with specially developed partially synthetic ATF oils. Maintenance-free fills are intended for normal operating conditions. Especially driving at very high operating temperatures can result in accelerated aging or increased wear of ATF oils.
It is recommended, in the event of severe operating conditions, such as:
- frequent highway driving in top speed range,
- offensive, sporty driving style,
- frequent trailer operation,
Being above average, oil purification (oil change) on automatic transmissions is recommended between 80,000 km (~50k miles) and 120,000 km (~75k miles), or 8 years, depending on the load.
In each case, only released ATF oil may be used for oil changes. And oil changes must be performed in accordance with the relevant specifications.
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From the history of my particular car, seemed the tranny started squawking at around 25-30k miles, I may base my future oil changes on this factor or wait for it to let me know by squawking at me again!

My local Jaguar specialist will perform the fluid change for me for $90 (their hourly rate), anyone with experience care to chime in to let me know if they’d say it’s worth it to pay the pros at this price tag or should I familiarize myself with the procedure and get my hands dirty?

 

Offensive, sporty driving style?

Hahaha!

 

So how did things turn out for you MCleod?

I replaced just 5 quarts of Lifeguard 6 in my tranny, I assume 6 did not drain out due not removing the oil pan. And after hundreds of test miles on freeways and streets, long drives and quick runs, and yes even plenty of “offensive, sporting driving style” my transmission squawk is a thing of the past, not one bark, skook, or chirp!

$90 for fluid, $6 for new plugs, and $90 for labor (it was too cheap to resist), a deal in my book for a buttery smooth and quiet as a clam gearbox. Now I actually even use the j-gate shifter without worry, that thing is pretty fun!

I hope you fared as well with your machine J