I was doing the pan/filter change on the new to us 2004 XJ8 and discovered something unusual.

It appears the mechatronic electronic connector has been epoxied into the replaceable sleeve.
Part of the reason to do the change was that there is a small leak from the trans, all of the pan was wet on the outside, and there was fluid on the mounting, etc. So not clear if it was leaking from the pan or the connector or elsewhere as yet, but due a fluid change at 81k miles, and boy was the fluid black not amber, but only a fine covering on the magnets.

Normally you would rotate the tab on the connector to release it, but that is not going to happen with all the epoxy on it.
I do have the spares car, crushed by tree, but fine below the waist line.

So, the question is, how bad could this get? Assuming I kind of chisel away at the connector/epxoy, what are the likely outcomes?
The epoxy falls away as it was applied to a wet connector and did not have a great hold?
Or the connector on the car remains serviceable, does no damage to the connector on the trans and I replace the sleeve/seals and all is good?
Or the connector on the car loom breaks (how does one change that connector/wire, where does it go back to, where does it plug into, one or multiple connectors, can I get to them with the trans in place (this would need to be done on four axle stands in the garage, no lift, no fancy equipment))
What chance I damage the connector/hole on the trans side, leading to the need to swap the transmission? (pretty much beyond my current capabilities)

 

Hoping that the epoxy did not bond well, would be your best outcome.
Wishing You Good Luck.

 

+1 to Wingrider's sentiments, otherwise your looking at an engine harness replacement... is the locking tab ring still intact?

 

Ugh, that really sounds like something I am not wanting to do.

Luckily the cardboard under the car looked pretty clean and dry this morning, possibly one little drip.
I will keep monitoring and see if that was the last from the splatter around the trans and the new pan has sealed the leak, or is there still a leak.
Fingers crossed.
102 F here today, too hot to do anything on the car.

 

Putting it together the easiest way it looks like that was the best.

 

Thinking about it today, if I drop the pan and release the sleeve retaining clip, then would I be able to pull the connector and sleeve out of the transmission as one unit, rather than the typical procedure of releasing the connector, then the sleeve later (presumably yes on an unmolested transmission)?

So, if needed, I could do that, then start chiseling away at any epoxy that might be bonded to the metal of the transmission if the parts do not want to move initially.

Once out, I would have a better chance of teasing the connector from the sleeve, favouring damage to the sleeve and keeping the connector intact, hopefully?

We will see if there are any drips visible under the car tomorrow. Fingers crossed none of this will be necessary.

 

Don't try this at home - I never have!
How to Dissolve Epoxy Resin | DoItYourself.com