This is a 5 speed 5hp24 Not the later, troubles one 6hp26

 

Sorry about that! Thought it was the later 6 speed.
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Isn't there the risk of the replacement tranny being worse than the original?

Also, I'm not seeing used jaguar 5hp24 units for under $900 (including shipping) on eBay, is there a cheaper source for them? 900+labor is going to be in the vicinity of a rebuild but without the certainty of success.

 

Fyi, got a 3rd opinion, he checked the fluid while leaving the car in reverse (apparently that changes something) and still it was totally full. He also quoted for the rebuild double the cost of the other two mechanics, an absurd $3400... (and then asked me if I want to leave the car so he can get started working on it right now, lol)

 

He quoted for the rebuild? Did he tell you what is wrong with the tranny? Or just it needs a rebuild. You need to find out what the problem is that makes it need a rebuild. I just love blanket statements like this. It might be someting that doesn"t require a complete rebuild. Of cousre if you go that route then you should be good to go for a long time. Keep us posted.

 

Mechanic #1 guessed the issue is the torque converter, mechanics #2 and 3 say the A drum. They're all guessing based on symptoms since there are no codes and they won't open the case without expense of changing seals and such.

 

I would start there with correct filter and correct fluid.

 

Fluid is fine, and even appears reasonably clean, enough to still see the green color anyway.

 

I think all the guidance is right on. I'm thinking, based on experience, that you have an incipient A-drum problem being developed based on the well-known and understood valve body wear.

What happens (in most cases...but there's nothing you've indicated that it may be otherwise) is that you are in the beginning phases of the failure mode (valve hang up, which sends an unregulated pressure pulse which overstresses the A-drum...)and a gearbox fault code is in your future IF you don't address it now.

The choice is whether to spend the equivalent amount of time and $ tracking down the issue to end up at the same point as you would by just having the tranny pulled down (before it goes totally titsup) and overhauled for a car that is worth only about 2x what the job will cost.

I'd suggest, at a minimum, since you are in NYC and the best overhauler of the ZFs is only in CT, giving Ericcson Industries a call and talking with them--they deal with these boxen on an hourly basis...and can tell you a lot more about what is going on than taking it to garages and shops that may only see one or two of these a year.

FWIW, the same box is used in contemporary to your car beemers and audis...and they have the same issues. It's a well known sequence of events that happens internally...and the fix repairs it once and for all.

Just depends on how valuable the car is TO YOU, not what it's worth when you go to pass it on to the next owner (if any). If I had to count up what I have spent on mine...it's well over 2x the price I'm asking for it. But that's not the point...it wasn't bought as an investment, but as a pleasurable expenditure that gives me pleasure whenever I turn the key and take to the road.

 

I'm not sure if that does tell much of fluid's or filter's condition.

Considering cost difference between fluid+filter vs transmission rebuild I'd go with the cheaper one - although the damage can already have taken place.

 

BD hit the nail on the head. You can only decide what this car is worth to you. Can the repair cost at whatever price, be reasonably amortized over the time you plan on owning the car? Let's face it, car ownership is generally a money losing proposition, what matters is whether you can get the use out of the car. Making money flipping cars really doesn't happen like on the cable shows. You've already spent about a grand on the front suspension. A repaired or rebuilt tranny would give you years of added service. You either make a financial commitment to a car and use it, or just buy a new or nearly new car so that your dollar buys useful transportation. Jumping from one older used car to another, without any investment, is a crap shoot and a headache. Fix your car and at least you'll know what you have. My two cents.

 

BD touched on a very important point. I'm not planning on my car being an investment. I bought it because I enjoy it so putting money into it is not an issue to me unless it's catastrophic. These ZFs are beefy transmissions and can take a lot. I would take it to a mechanic that is a transmission shop, not a general mechanic as they will just tell you it's a "rebuild" instead of actually diagnosing the problem. It's not good business sense for them to do so since they are not specialists. I'd tell your $3400 mechanic good buy and no thank you, you don't need that kind of abuse.

 

Ironic misspelling, lol

All good information - thank you very much for guidance!

The 3 places were all transmission shops, not general mechanics.