Greetings all. As I have documented here, I have been doing my best to re-animate a zombie like (living dead) 1997 XK8 coupe.

I got the thing running – not terribly well, but it doesn’t smoke. Needs some proper routing of vacuum lines and tinkering is my – and my Indy technician’s assessment.

But it needs other things as well…frozen front brake caliper…dead dashboard…These things I can tinker with and with diligence, fix. In other words, these items need attention, but aren’t a stake in the heart of the zombie.

But here is kicker. Having no interest in lying on my back underneath a leaky 4,000 pound block of steel, aluminum and rubber, I brought it to an independent Jaguar specialist that I trust, because the transmission poured out fluid after I got the thing running. (It will go backwards and forwards and the brakes work – all to a limited extent.)

Anyway, the technician tells me there is no way of knowing what he is likely to find, but in his view, he expects the worst – a toasted tranny. It is possible, that a seal will stop the leak, but that, he says, is $1,000 or so with no guarantee. He’s figuring on $3,500 for just the transmission, and then I still have a car that needs a lot of tinkering.

Anyway, is this cat ready to be chopped into parts (it’s got the double five wheels and a workable motor) / or sold to a do-it yourselfer with a lift?

Or do I try my luck and a thousand bucks on a seal replacement?

Any other ideas?

 

Can you be more specific? Where is leaking from? There are lines to the oil cooler on the left side of the radiator. There is the bottom pan. I assume there are a number of plugs, electrical connectors and sensors. Then there is the bell housing. Each origin would point to a very different diagnostic, and a very different cost of repair...

Best of luck, keep us posted.

 

I am told it is in the "pump area" which I assume (I can ask) is inside the bell housing or inside the transmission case...Basically he said that he could replace the seal, but the problem could be deeper...possibly a bushing around which the A Drum rotates or worse. The technician said he would either like to tear into the tranny and rebuild / replace what is needed. Walk away...and/or possibly ask a transmission guy he knows to take it on.

 

You don't say how many miles are on the car, but considering that the most common problem is A drum failure I would expect that, at least. I just sold my 97 in excellent condition all around, including new seat leather, for $5K, so go from there.

 

I've got a 97 XK8 rconvertible parts car with a transmission that I believe is good. Plus lots of other parts that you might like. The engine has a blown head gasket, but it does run. Unfortunately I'm in upstate New York, but let me know if you are interested.

 

Just a thought...
One of the oil cooler lines that fmertz mentioned has a hose section that runs across the top of the transmission.

If you're losing oil quickly, perhaps the hose has let go? I'd expect a leaky seal to be more of a run than a pour.

 

I had my sleeve replaced and then the transmission re-sealed. Unfortunately, I had this done on separate occasions (sleeve by dealer) re-seal by Tranny Shop. The labor to drop and replace the unit is around $1000. Once the unit is out, the sleeve is cheap and trivial, the other bits can get pricey. If the unit is dropped for any reason, they should replace the sleeve.

 

Re: michaelh My hope was that it would be a hose, but the tech (who is also a co-owner of the shop) said he cleaned the transmission thoroughly and that the unit is leaking internally....aaaaaggghhh !

Re: DSD - what is the sleeve? If I could get away with a $1,500 bill, I'd be all over it. $3,500 is more than I have in the entire car.

The shop owner/tech mentioned he knew someone who might be able to do the repair (as he really doesn't want to take a "band-aid" approach to the problem). I'm assuming that means the original shop would pull and replace the transmission...

My plan (which could change in the blink of an eye !) is to see if I can get to some semblance of affordability. If not, I'll drag the car back to my (not an auto repair) shop and either sell it, or see if I can't get the engine and electrics in tune for a reasonable sum, then revisit the transmission conundrum.

At present, I'm gutted because I thought I could see the light at the end of this project. I believe that I will go home and curl up with my usual enemy, the cat, as my wife, who has been verbally sympathetic, is at the same time eyeing me with an expression some know as the Resting Bully Face !

 

I believe it's the valve body sealing sleeve. It connects the transmission north, as I understand.