I just sent the shop an email asking for more information and details, including exactly what needs to be rebuilt and why he decided to do that. I also asked him if the rebuild price is the full price or if the shop that does the rebuild can come back with "gee it looks worse than we thought, now it's going to cost more!" If that's the case, I'll just retrieve my car and move on! I am not interested in giving anyone a blank check.

 

I did buy the gasket set for the first repair.
I bought some sheet gasket material for the BH to case gasket for subsequent repairs.

The drum 'O'rings Might be re-used if they are in good condition but there are places to get them. I use Purvis Bearing and seal, just bring the new ones to match up. The old ones might work for match-up but they will be slightly deformed.

The clutchpack piston 'O'ring usually tears when the piston comes out the out of it's bore.

bob gauff

 

Bob -- any advice for me? I'm still waiting for some answers from the transmission shop but since I'm not well-versed in this area, I might not be asking the right questions. My main concern is having them come back with "whoops, it's more extensive than we thought now it's going to cost more!" What can I ask them to get to the bottom of it - I've already asked him to tell me that the $1,250 for the build is the full and final price and asked him to explain to me exactly what it entails. I haven't received his answer yet. He did suggest that if it was up to him he'd opt for a used transmission (he found one with 85k miles and a 3 month warranty) for $1,200. I asked him why would I want a used transmission for $50 less than a fully rebuilt one! He needs to answer these questions before I make any more decisions.

 

Mike, be calm, ask if the A drum edge is damaged, simple. You want the updated A drum from ZF fitted and the trans tested and warrantied.

There are literally hundreds of threads on this problem, not just Jags so plenty of info on the types of thing to ask. All you want if clear detail of their rebuild process.

This should help you!

 

I am calm, that's not really the issue. I'd just like to put this behind me -- so, maybe I need to have my car towed to a different shop, one that does it's own rebuild. I could swear this guy said he did, and now he's talking about sending it out. I have my doubts that he really knows anything beyond "transmission doesn't work!"

 

Ok, now I'm not so calm! LOL

I got another email (finally) from the transmission shop - they are now suggesting that I pay him for removal of the transmission plus $150 diagnostic fee to the transmission shop (what? I thought I was dealing with a transmission shop!) and they'll tear it apart and tell me exactly what needs to be done. I guess this means that the $1250 is just an estimate based on a P0733 code and some metal in the fluid, and not any actual eyes-on diagnosis. I'm ready to just have the car towed to my house and I'll think about this for a while.

 

Ya... once it is out, there is (IMHO) a 98% chance the customer is just gonna approve whatever the bill is. Maybe you could source your own trans and have him install? There should be shops in your area that will do a core exchange instead of rebuilding yours. (that way the price will not change based on the damage to yours)

 

I've been looking around, but haven't had any luck finding a shop that'll do that locally. Maybe I need to broaden my horizons!

 

Im wondering, it may be cheaper than what you guys are thinking to just send out Dave's trans to you? Have you guys priced it?

Chris

 

I think I might have alienated the transmission shop guy -- I sent an email asking him to tell me who the shop was that he planned to have my transmission sent to for rebuilding and also asked him if he did anything other than test drive my car and then decide to send the transmission out. I reminded him that I called before having my car towed to his shop and told him that I was looking for a transmission mechanic/shop who could diagnose the problem and zero in in the true issues and not just replace or rebuild the transmission because that's the easy thing to do. I asked him if he thought that maybe it was time for me to take the car to a transmission shop --- the inference here is that he does not have a transmission shop. I feel like he misled me and maybe even out and out lied to me about his services. Live and learn. Glad I don't need the car fixed right away -- I still have the luxury of time! Can't wait to hear from him today. I wish I had the time to go over there today, but I don't, so I'll have to communicate with him by email and phone.

I'll report back when I get some answers, but I doubt that I'll get any real answers. He now is suggesting (as I said before) that I pay him to remove the transmission, send it to the transmission shop and pay them $150 for diagnostics which would be applied to the rebuild price if I choose to do so. At this point, I don't think I trust him or the shop that he's sending it to enough to do that.

 

Geez Mike, I feel bad for you.
It doesn't sound like your "trans shop" has diagnosed anything. This is so typical. An overhaul covers all bases why bother to diagnose. You'll likely be hit for extras(hard parts) once they tear it down and make an actual inspection.
If you can't get a firm diagnosis, get everything in writing as to what an "overhaul" will consist of and the price of the usual hard parts that aren't generally included.
This reminds me of the old Aamco commercial with Claude Akins; "Your transmission might not need an overhaul" ...but we'll sell one anyway
If you were in Chicago I could steer you to a good shop that won't sodomize you.*
Good luck
* I found this shop by asking at a local independent import shop who they farm their trans work to. Mentioning the referring mechanic by name and paying in cash saved me a bundle by the way.

 

Ross....I agree about no diagnosis and more cost once it's apart. Where are the honest mechanics?

I'm about ready to order a rebuilt one online and have my mechanic install it. Will cost more but at least I'll know what I'm getting...theoretically!

 

I like your idea of a re-man box with R&R by a local shop so called the fellow who did mine to see if he could help you. Since he has no core and buying one outright is expensive, not to mention shipping, he can't help. He does advise you to change the A-drum AND valve body.

My guy says a ZF factory re-man is pricey, hopefully there are other quality ones available. A good one is a must as you could eat labor or deal with the blame game if the job goes south.
Is there a local independent Jag specialist near you that would be on board with such a plan? Oh, BMWs use that same unit and they have active clubs all over that could recommend an indy shop who perhaps could steer you straight.
Perhaps a used trans that's already been rebuilt with updated bits will surface.
What part of Fl.? I can ask around with the BMW guys

 

I'm near West Palm Beach, Florida

It's been 24 hours without a word from the shop -- funny how he suddenly stopped communicating with me when I asked for the name of the trans shop that he's going to sublet the job to.

I'm about ready to go get the car.

 

What an ordeal. I think getting the car out of there is definitely the next step.

 

I agree, you have time on your side now. Find a shop that will do the job right the first time.

Chris

 

I finally got the name of the trans shop that he subs to. Tomorrow I will call them to see what they do! The guy who has my car said that he he can take the trans out and have the trans shop diagnose the problem and if it's just the A-drum or (as he said) the clip that holds it on, they will repair it and apply the $150 diagnostic fee to the job. If that shop has the ability to do that, I would be willing to let them. So, if the shop checks out, I'm probably going to let this guy remove my trans and send it over there. I do want a warranty, and the guy told me that his 1 year parts and labor warranty covers this job.

I'm going to call the trans shop and ask them if they rebuild Jaguar transmissions and will get back to this thread when I find out! This is getting comical, in a way.

I reminded the guy that I told him when I dropped off the car that I wanted a diagnosis before any work was done, and I understand that I will have to pay for that, I don't mind. My only real beef is that I feel like he misled me as to what he was going to do -- the fact is, he's going to pull the trans and have someone else do the diagnostic, which is okay with me so long as I know who's doing the work.

 

Looks like this guy has a spare trans on hand;
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...e-swap-105859/

 

Why not just get it out of the shop it's in and go directly to the(or another) trans man? Seems this shop is desperate to get a piece of the pie. If the subbed out trans job goes south I can see the blame game commencing.

 

I just talked to the trans shop and now I'm talking to the other guy to decide my next move. I could just take it to the other guy directly, but I didn't get the impression that it was going to save me any money doing it that way.

BTW Is it unreasonable to request/require all replaced parts to be returned to me if they do a rebuild? Or, am I just asking the trans rebuilder to give me old parts he has lying around the shop?