Hello, I'm new to the forum and unfortunately got carried away on the intro section and posted my problem. My apologies! I would have edited it my self but not possible yet.

Here is my problem poste din the correct forum:

Just bought an XK8 yesterday, a private sale. Has 63500 on the clock but only travelled 375 miles in the last 3-4 years, stood most of the time in the guy's back yard. He said it was bought out of impulse as it looked lovely and he was a jag fan for years. He was 65 when he bought it and could not get used to it. When I saw it the car had been mot'd a few weeks prior and had advisories on the brake discs, nothing more. I was told the gearbox slipped once on the way to the mot centre, but he stated it was put into park and then back into reverse and no more trouble!
I travelled 300 miles to see the car and it was fine on the test drive. I took it easy travelling home never above 70mph. After about 150 miles on the A1 motorway at 70mph in cruise, there was a shudder from the car and its speed dropped. The instrument panel displayed " Limited performance " and flashed to " gearbox fault ". Not being in any rescue service I checked the manual and it stated if the warning light was yellow, and it was that it was usable, so I had no alternative but to continue on the journey but at reduced speed ie 60mph. RPM's were around 2500 but engine power was akin to a 1300cc vehicle.
I have read the threads and posts on this and other sites about the " sealed for life " jag box, which need the oil changed at 60/65000 miles.
Do you think its to late for an oil change to rectify the fault?
If so any suggestions for who could be trusted to repair the fault in the North East are of England.
Any other suggestions appreciated, but scrap it wouldn't. LOL's.

 

Same thing happened to me when I ferried my XKR home from the purchase! Do you have access to an OBD code reader or a friendly garage who will get the codes? These will tell you what the problems are and will guide the diagnosis/repair.

My fault was low gearbox oil 'cos of a weeping seal on the side of the gearbox. The previous owner had over-filled the gearbox and that, too, caused problems. I had the seal replaced for £400. I got the car more cheaply than otherwise because I suspect the previous owner thought a new gearbox was required (which would be ~£6000).

Hope this helps. Good choice of car!

Best wishes, Colin

 

Changing the ATF is certainly not going to hurt but may not fix the problem unless the issue is low fluid level. The Jaguar spec ATF is VERY expensive but any fluid that meets the ESSO LT71141 spec if fine. Here in the colonies a quart of ATF meeting that spec can be had for $5 compared to Jaguar's $40.

There are a number of threads on the change procedure available in the sticky above or by a search.

I would suggest that you start with having the OBDII codes read and see if there is further information there. Jaguar should provide a code reader as a necessary emergency item like the spare tire.

Speaking of tires . . . you might check the manufacture date on the sidewall. Tires have a safe life in years in addition to tread depth.

It would help if you would put your vehice info into your signature as the transmission changed from '02 to '03.

. . . and welcome to the forum and to the wonderful world of Jaguar!

 

Hi, aardvark64 & test point. Thank you so both so much for taking the time to reply. Your support and info is greatly appreciated.
While I was looking over the car today a friend who has a garage not far from where we both live ( about 20 miles away) stopped for a chat about the car and suggested I ring a guy over Newcastle way ( about 30 miles away) who specialises in auto box's, I was unaware there was such a place. SO I am going to take it to him to get an idea of what the problem is. Its £35 for a check and then he will let me know the cost of the repair based on that info.
Update about 30 minutes ago I finished cleaning her up, and thought I would see if the warning was still showing, put the key in the ignition and turned the key, system check etc then a clear board, no fault indicated. I am not thinking this has disappeared but keeping my fingers crossed the fault is not as bad as first feared! Would be over the moon if it was just an oil change job!.
Thanks again guys and I'll let you know the result.

 

P.S mine is the same colour as yours test point!

 

The vehicle has stood outside with little use for 3-4 years. Probably the worst way to keep a Jaguar from a reliability point of view.

Before throwing money at it or assuming the worst on the transmission, I'd get the codes read. Note them down carefully and post them back here - the actual codes. They'll give a lot more information about the vehicle than the vendor would!

Graham

 

Hi GGG, thanks very much for your input on the problem. I'll try and get it booked in for Tuesday, ( Monday bank hols ) and let you know before committing myself to shelling out more hard earned.
Thanks again,
Arty

 

Hi guy's here is an update of todays events. Took the car to our local auto box garage, had the reader plugged in and the engineer put it through a thorough test. He thinks it the drum that is at fault! They suggested it was best to leave the car for further tests and a recommendation as how best to proceed. Was shown the typical drum from a failed unit and I can see how when it disintegrates it can obliterate your whole box. Also found out when the car goes into limp home mode the pressures in the box are greatly increased and can/do blow the top of the regulator ( if I remember correctly, head spinning at this point ) causing irrepairable damage, and a treble costing.
So completely spoilt my XK8 experience, but what can you do? Could not get the codes yet as it was tested with a generic reader and I was told they are all different, so I will wait until next week for the bad news, and a costing.
When the engineer was going through the test procedure I saw the car move forward as he changed through the box. It was a bit of a surprise as getting to the garage the car performed well without any bumps or issues. I asked if it was beyond a straight oil/filter change and was told it also had a problem with the linkages or something similar, selecting the gears position in the J gate but I was punch drunk then so it may be incorrect.
Indications are it could be around £2k to repair.
I will update when I have more info.
The garage is very well thought of in our area and if it is within the rules I will let you know its location ( so you can google it ) or can post their website addy or name should anyone have similar problems.

 

Could be worse - could be a whole new gearbox. Ouch.

But I'm not sure I like the line you've been fed about the codes. The whole point of OBD was to standardise the list of common fault codes across vendors. For example, see:
On-board diagnostics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There are vendor-specific ones for each make, obviously, and not all vendors implement all the possible codes. However, I understand Jaguar implement most of the applicable ones for our vehicles. Next time, ask them for the Pxxxx codes and post them. Someone will look them up for you.

Best wishes, Colin

 

aardvark is right, I distrust any one unwilling to divulge codes.

 

Don't think that applies in this case - but I would make a point of asking them to note the codes and let you have sight of them next time.

Or get yourself an OBDII reader and have a play:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/g...14/#post686109

See what you're paying £35 for each time.

Best wishes, Colin

 

If the A drum has failed that most likely means that the valve body has failed. There are a number of threads on the relationship. Some have even changed the valve body out as maintenance work. It is done without removing the trans, just the pan which has to come off for a filter change anyway.

Not providing codes and 2k (don't have the pound sign on my keyboard) for a linkage issue is really suspect. For 2k (US$3300) you should be able to have the A drum and the valve body replaced but there is no indication yet of you needing that.

 

First let me say a big thank you to aardvark64 and test point for your comments and advice!
I am now in a quandary, when I took the car in it was late on a Saturday morning and there was a limited number of staff, this is a holiday weekend so I know the car will not be looked at until at least the middle of next week. So how to proceed?
My position is I have just bought the car and after having shelled out for the vehicle and thinking it needed a gearbox service which I estimated would be around £500 give or take, I find myself in a position where this cost has risen by a factor of 4 or maybe 5 times. I think I will give the garage a ring tomorrow and ask for the codes again, which he said would be given, and decide if I should risk taking it home to store over the winter and then take it back next year for the repair. This would give me more time to save up for the eventual bill and give me some breathing space. I have to say I have every faith in the company as they are highly thought of. I was given the low down of how the assessment would go but it seems there is no easy way around the problem. Once the box is removed and checked ( £300 ) the results are then given to me and its a case of if the cost is agreeable they go ahead, if not I get the car back with the auto box in bits in a box as they cannot and rightly so reassemble a damaged unit.
I have to say the guy went to great lengths to show me the work area where the same type of box was being repaired ( all in component parts ) and showed me the little clutch rings which are amazingly made out thin metal with a paper coating with a water based glue which I was told is susceptible to moisture ingress and could cause other problems.
So big decision to make in the next 24 hours........

 

Hope things work out for you. Hope we haven't added more confusion than solution.

 

Really feel for you, it's a horrible position to be in. Wait for the codes and then see what transpires?

Best wishes, Colin

 

Once you let them remove the transmission for investigation, you are irreversibly locked into a rebuild.

Options then become:

1. write a large cheque almost immediately and get the car back running
2. take a part dismantled vehicle home to store whilst you think and save

Getting it home in Option (2) isn't straightforward. With the transmission out, the rear of the engine needs supporting just to be able to move the vehicle. The prop shaft also has to be disconnected at the diff. Suitable storage is then needed for the vehicle and removed parts.

I still think that without evidence from the codes, the necessity for a rebuild is unproven.

Graham

 

You hit the nail right on the head there Graham, think I will opt for taking the car away and storing it over the winter and take it from there. Obviously I will try and get the codes before leaving so I ( or members can ) can have a better idea of what is going on.
Thanks again for taking an interest.
Arty

 

Hi guy's, quick update, picked the car up from the garage and asked for the codes. Was told, as the fault is a mechanical one no codes would have shown, and anyway we did not take a printout, cost £35 ( which in all fairness could have been for a 25 mile ride home and 3 days storage ).
At least now I do not have to worry about an open cheque to these guy's. I asked if it would be O.K to drive home and was told, the worst that could happen is it will go into limp home mode, or it could last another 10k miles. The drive home was uneventful and I really enjoyed it, no signs of the fault.
Well that was an experience.
Got the car booked into an indi on Thursday who said he would check the car out with jag official gear and would give me the codes, I will ask if I can watch and see what transpires, as I am not working I have the time ( hence this project ).

 

Just a few more thoughts, if the gearbox is damaged, who would you recommend takes on the repair job, or would you go for a recon unit from which reputable supplier? I have been quoted about £350 for the remove and replace of the gearbox, and allowing £2k for a refurbished unit at least puts a ceiling on the job.
However one bridge at a time. Thanks for all the advice.

Regards,
Arty

 

1) If it was going into limp mode I expect it would show a trouble code.

2) Do not trust any garage until they have a proven relationship with you.

3) Get a code reader, not sure if the cheap ones will read Transmission codes, someone else who has one may be able to comment.

4) Check to see if there are any signs of transmission fluid leaks and check the level, and think about a fluid change anyway.


Does the transmission give any whooping sounds?