Thank you, I want to ask the member (a real expert) from the .co.uk forum what may caused the failure on your gearbox, but I am also concerned if yours is older or newer than mine, to know what to expect.

 

I'm truly hoping for a complete and exhaustive description (in writing) of what needs to be fixed, plus I've requested that I get all my worn and replaced parts back. I'm going to tell him that it's because we're simply collecting data for the Jaguar community, where the real truth is I don't trust anyone! LOL

 

I keep checking back hoping to see this as fixed......fingers crossed it's a quick turnaround.

 

Today is the day -- the "kid" (as I've come to call him) is removing the transmission today! I'm like a nervous father - I want to be there to watch but I have too many other things to do (like get the windows tinted on my S-Type!). I'll have to trust him. He did tell me that he'll take a photo of the green plate and also promised me that he'll get me a very detailed estimate of exactly what needs to be replaced -- if I simply get "yup, needs to be rebuilt," I'm not going to be happy!

 

Well, I haven't heard back from the kid yet, need to find out if he removed the transmission today and took the photo as he promised. I stopped by to see him (and my car) yesterday and he assured me it would be removed either yesterday or today - I just sent him an email. Hope to hear from him before the end of the day.

 

I got this in my email today....would be interested in hearing what it means!

 

I am surprised at the age of this transmission in an 03 -- the revised transmissions have been reported 855863 and later introduced Nov 00. This tells me that Jag transmissions were bought ahead of need and sat on the shelf for years. All our 308s have units with older A Drums. Am I right?

 

How, if possible, can I find out if this is the transmission that was originally put in my car? Maybe it was swapped out?

He also took a pic of the vin tag and it's the same vin as my car.

 

The upgraded A drums are after serial number 355863, so yours may be after that, having 461667.
I see the type is 026, mine is 028, even if the serial number is 451950.
I will update my request in the .co.uk forum, I still don't have an answer there.

What's inside it?

 

I'm looking forward to hearing more - thanks.

I don't know what's inside it, yet. Should find out today or tomorrow. Things move slowly here in south Florida!

 

You can try changing the A drum , and check the valve body for cracks.

 

I'm kind of at the mercy of the transmission shop -- they're supposed to be giving me a complete and detailed estimate of the work that needs to be done. Thought I'd have it by now, but there's always tomorrow!

 

I got the estimate today -- the guy says that because the A drum and the drum assembly is damaged, they need to do a full rebuild. Here's the breakdown, not including the removal and re-installation of the transmission in my car which I had done at a different shop --- i.e. this is just for the transmission work...

Overhaul kit $390
Fwd A Drum $225
Fwd drum assembly $175
Labor $160
TOTAL $950 plus 6% sales tax

Plus the $700 the kid wants for taking it out and putting it back in, so I'm sitting at $1,800 or so. Not too bad, but I was hoping for better!

Am I getting totally raped, or what? I'm going to tell him in the morning what I want to do. I am very seriously considering telling him to go ahead and get it done.

 

Under the three grand that was your tipping point. Leaves some money to do some things the dealer suggested. Hopefully back in a few days. Reading thru some previous posts, this may solve some of the vibration issues as well.

 

Looks like a good deal.

 

You make a lot of sense - thanks! I am getting tired of this and need to get it behind me. I'm pretty sure it comes with a one year warranty as well, so that could be a good thing. I was hoping to drive to Connecticut next week, but to be safe I'll probably take the other Jag (S-Type) even though I prefer the XJ8 on the open road! I hear it's going to snow up there next week -- another good reason to not take the XJ8. I can probably get the car back before I leave, or if need be, the guy said I could leave it at his shop until after Thanksgiving and pick it up when I get back -- that might be the easy thing to do. More decisions!

 

I received an answer for your gearbox,it seems that it's upgraded for both A drum and valve body(?!).
Now I am really curious about your mileage and of course if you can have pictures for A drum. It seems that no 5HP24 is trouble free, sooner or later it's happening.

 

I'm going to try to get the broken A-drum and any other parts back. Sure hope they do what I ask!

I'm curious about the "overhaul kit" for $390 -- what might that be? Almost sounds like a "ghost part" that just drives up the price, because I asked for a complete breakdown of the parts that need to be replaced -- the A-drum and assembly are the only two things actually mentioned, but my mechanic says that a "complete rebuild" is needed. I don't know, I just feel like I'm getting hosed. I hate having people do work on my car that I know nothing about and I'm placed in this position to take them at their word.

 

Overhaul kit *sounds* like the soft plates and orings/gaskets- but you are right, better to know for sure.

 

^^Correct, wear parts and seals. The trans shop is giving you a very square deal for a bench job, the R&R seems high* to me but over all you'll pay less than this guy who shopped HARD.
* Does anyone have book time for this procedure?