2005 Jaguar XJ8L with 129k miles

Recently the transmission has been shifting harder than usual at times and sometimes it feels like the transmission is slipping every now and then. Now the Transmission fault light comes on after putting it in gear and moving a little; at first restarting the car would make it go off, but it go away after 3 tries last night. I have noticed some fluid where the car is parked and see a small leak at the front corner of the pan.

I've read through the forum and read that the light may come on when the fluid starts to get low. I purchased the fluid change kit this morning with extra ZF Lifeguard 6 fluid. My question is, would it be a problem to use a LT71141 alternative to top off the fluid until everything arrives next week and i can perform the fluid/filter change? Its not a bad leak, so maybe no more than 1 quart if that. I would like to see if i can get the fault to go way so it's drivable for the next week.

Thank you in advance for any help.

Ryan

 

Ryan, my 2004 x350 was almost six qts low before any warning lights came on, so act now to top it off with the correct fluid. Brandon

 

I concur Ryan - I'm tackling the pan/fluid change now on my 04 XJ8 and had similar symptoms, including the leak at the front of the trans pan. Based on the lack of fluid that came out of the pan - clearly the trans was low on fluid. I would not drive the car until you get the pan/fluid addressed. I would think your more than 1 quart low at this point... I hope your also planning on changing the rubber sleeve as well since you'll have the pan off. (Could be the source of your leak)

 

That's A LOT!

I had a similar problem where tranny fluid was leaking to the point where the tranny locked on 1st or 2nd gear. Nursed it home, parked it, replaced the pan, gasket, new upgraded pan bolts, new sleeve while I was at it and put fresh ZF fluid in it and never had the problem again in 10,000 miles, knock on wood.

 

I bought the car from a licensed dealer here in California. The car needed $3000.00 in repairs before I could drive it.... Licensed does not mean honest... Last car I ever buy from a dealership!

 

This is a common problem with these boxes leaking at the front of the pan not a bad job if you can get the car up in the air