Jaguar XK8 Gearbox service part 1

I Service the gearbox on my 1996 XK8 convertible. In Part 1 I do the prep. If you are going to do a similar job on your car, then ensure you get the right parts oils and tools for your specific model and year. The non standard tools I use and the parts im using for my service are linked below for your interest.
Torx T27 socket
amzn.to/40V3CG6
Oil Syringe
amzn.to/42crgil
Penetrating Oil
amzn.to/41SGskW
Service kit for a 1996 XK8 gearbox
www.britishparts.co.uk/jaguar...
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[@davidball9815]

Hi John, very informative as always. My car has only done 38,000 (2004 XKR) so I shall wait a while before tackling this project. The beauty of your videos is we can all see the bear traps/ pitfalls before we blunder in!!!

[@ToTheGarage]

Glad they help a little David. Thanks for taking the time to comment👍

[@stevenslight2607]

Thanks John 👍👍

[@ToTheGarage]

Thanks Stephen

[@UdoIBress]

Hi john, I watched your video with great interest. As always very informative. Thank you for the effort you have made. Greetings Udo

[@projectsinthebarn]

Hi John, another great and well informed video buddy. I did this task myself on my 1996 XK8 a few years ago. I hope it goes well for you buddy, a very worthwhile piece of preventative work. All the best mate 👍

[@JCP1152P]

I have this job to do in my 2005 XK8. It only has 33,000 miles but 18 yrs old and I'm getting older myself and want to do it while I am able. Thans John for the video as always. Jack

[@ToTheGarage]

We can all learn together Jack👍

[@drewframson7495]

Just did my 03 XKR with 130,000 miles. Shifts like new now. Bought a great kit in USA from Blau Parts.

[@ToTheGarage]

Thanks Drew. Not heard anyone mention Blau before👍

[@drewframson7495]

@@ToTheGarage a terrific kit, which includes all new bolts and a pump to refill the Ravenol brand fluid.

[@alexanderthegreat6480]

Drew, could you share the link to the kit please? Thx

[@cirquedumike]

Just did mines on my 2000 xjr. Gasket was leaking so just did the full job. Hope you are well Mr! 🥰

[@ToTheGarage]

Im great thanks, Michael. Congrats on curing the leak👍

[@user-sf7kl9uh7k]

Nice chap, subscribed

[@cambridgemart2075]

Project Farm is the channel name that you were trying to remember. This is one of the jobs I'm going to have to do when I start getting my XK8 roadworthy again.

[@jonathanslade2358]

Hello John, Great video again, I read somewhere that ZF recommended 60k miles to change the oil and filter , I did mine at 102k! Also the threaded holes the T27 studs screw into aren't blind so you can squirt penetrative fluid up around the top of the studs it should help if done a few days in advance of doing the service. When I bought my service kit it came with chunkier headed studs to replace the old studs , I bought a genuine ZF kit. Cheers, Jon

[@kingfisherdecor2.073]

Hi John, brave man doing this on your own. I wrapped a fibre glass insulating tape around that exhaust pipe to keep from getting burned. Fibre glass wleding sheet would work too. You also want good dexterity when trying to get that fill bung back in when that pipe is hot and there's oil pouring out. Thin gloves and cover that pipe and I got the bung back in on the 1st go. God Bless. ps. Your also going to need a laser thermometer as the refill requires the trans to be a certain temp.

[@ToTheGarage]

Good tips Kingfisher Decor 2.0

[@moyadapne968]

I took my XKR to a garage, who flushed the entire trans ATF, which cleans out the torque convertor too. Then I got them to fit a new filter, as the process catches all the crud in it. A 'service' only does the pan fluid.

[@nathanlozada5469]

3 weeks and still no part 2 of the gearbox service- waiting… thanks John!

[@ToTheGarage]

I Know. Two weeks working away and then this week I've been in bed until yesterday with the mother of all colds. Only got my Voice back on Friday night🤧

[@kevincapes4266]

Just did the gearbox oil change on my mid 2001 built XKR (89,000 miles). Not too bad a job but can be quite messy. Luckily I have a car lift, which made it easier. However, there's still a lot of oil in the sump after draining due to the sump bung being inset into the sump (no idea why they did this). So lifting the sump down needs a very steady pair of hands. As mine's a later model it has the Mercedes box so refilling is done via the dip stick tube. You have to be slow and cautious so it doesn't gulp back up the tube and mess your floor up. Took it for a run afterwards. Then checked and topped up the oil. Last check for leaks and job done. I must say that the gear changes do seem a little smoother since the oil change.

[@Ridley2907]

Got mine changed at 78k a couple of years ago. From memory it cost about £250 and I think a large part of that was the oil.....not cheap!

[@Gazza3501]

You’ll find the oil level considerably higher than the fill hole at any temperature. During the final oil fill-up stage the engine is running, this pumps oil around the transmission thus lowering the level. When the engine is stopped, more of the oil returns to the sump which will ultimately be above the fill hole.

[@ToTheGarage]

My fingers got excited and my brain was too slow to stop them Gazza3501 Thanks for the comment👍

[@Gazza3501]

@@ToTheGarage helpful video though John. I did my oil change before seeing your video. I spent quite a while looking for the filler hole before seeing you point it out clearly. 👍

[@kees-tanis]

Wondering abt your choice of trans oil. ZF NL were quite pedantic about me flushing the tranny with another brand when I contacted them about some issues emerging after the flushing.

[@jagvette1]

Love the Finger trick I have used it may times, but sometimes the wife objects, I am still not sure if she is a Talks, Hex or just a nut splitter.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 When to change fluid as an old school mechanic I would say EVERY 50k MINIMUM.

[@clivestanton9190]

hi john love the channel new to it think i have watched most of your secrets new to me my 2002 xk8 one owner love it just wanted to ask you i have a clunk think its comeing from the back only when i slow down then speed up thimking of puting it in the garage by me as i dont have the space to look my self just to say could it be from the prop shaft ide like to go to the garage with a bit of an idea of what im taulking about so not to get rip off yours keep the vids comeing cheers clive stanton

[@alexanderthegreat6480]

Clive, there's a tsb on that.. Share your email and I'll send it to you if you'd like.

[@t.alanblain6313]

Thanks John. This video is very relevant as it is next on my list of preventative maintenance on my 2004 pussy cat which has done 58,000miles. I notice that British Parts do a replacement aluminium transmission pan for the 6-speed box rather than the existing (and normal replacement) plastic one. Any thoughts?

[@ToTheGarage]

Hi Alan. And nice to see that your comment appears to be sticking around this time. I never did work out the mystery of the others? Yes I have noticed that. The original on the six speed is plastic with an integrated filter. There is no doubting that the alloy version looks better and will be a better heat sink. I don't know if it has a replaceable filter element though? If I had a 6 speed i would be tempted to get one just for the interest of trying an 'upgrade'

[@glengray4207]

Hi John: Comments and questions... after a hard winter my shift cable seized up. the rubber boot over the linkage at the trany was cracked and broken, allowed water snow salt in and I first lost j gate then eventually hard to put into drive. ordered replacement. used as dealer said new not available. photos later... installed shifts better than ever. BUT... still got gearbox fault. in limp mode.... I clear codes no ,change. I found that gearbox drippy with oil. screws not tight. I suspect oil low. I am going to do the service but while I have it open, any recommendations on if there is anything else I should look at??? I do NOT want to do this again..... Thanx - love the show

[@simonjewry1542]

Hi John love your channel, iv'e had a gearbox fault since late last year come up on my XK8 and says "incorrect gear ratio" i cleaned the rear wheel abs sensors, changed the the rotary switch, the gear lever appeares to be aligned ok, i just done a gearbox service with a oil change and new filter i also removed all the valve selonoids one by one and checked their function and ALAS still got gearbox fault, could this be the TCM, i already done the caps in the ECM, does the transmission need replacement its a 97 model with 135,000 on the clock, you opinion would be well apreciated, mant thanks. Simon

[@daven6357]

Nice video John, very clear as always! Not having a lift as yet (or pit) I chickened out and had the local (non franchised!) garage help me out with this at about 100k kms having sourced all materials myself. It went well the refill and temperature of course being key. On the subject of lifts would you mind giving me your thoughts on clearance above your xk8 - i.e. closest collision point in your garage ceiling to usefully use a lift such as yours (with the boot closed of course :) !!) Thanks for sharing. DaveN

[@ToTheGarage]

Hi Dave. I can fully liftthe jag (boot closed)😔. which i think gives me a little over a meter of space below the car to work in. The platforms mask off a little of the sill area as on a 4 post lift, but thats no great hardship. I have a mod in mind to fit a false floor around and between the platforms so that I have a completely smooth surface to use my crawling board on rather than having to avoid the two synchroniser bars at ground level

[@daven6357]

@@ToTheGarage thanks John - that sounds ideal… So to give you that 1m under car how high is your roof truss (or lowest point in roof) off your floor?

[@skelejp9982]

Hello dear John! I have a question! I am a frequent user of the J-gear. After 2 years of owning an X308 XJ, I started using the J-Gear way more, and I love how it improves handling, while also saves the brakes.. Anyway, I was wondering, what is the best way to maintain that J-Gear? Greetings!

[@markrutledge66]

I was also trying to do what you are doing I have a 98 308 also wondering how the best way of taking out a fuel pump is anybody out there to help for suggestions? Love the show

[@Gonzalez_garage2]

Hola amigo , me gustan mucho tus videos , tengo un jaguar xk8 98 hace poco menos de un mes me empezó una falla ( gearbox fault) ( performance restricted ) (stability control fail ) me gustaría, si me pudieras ayudar con el conocimiento que tienes ..

[@rossord]

Can you tell me where to find part 2 of this video?

[@annamariam1175]

I a 97 xk8, I think the same as you’re car. What are the specs for the oil. Italy is not auto trans friendly so it is hard to find an acceptable oil. Thank

[@user-ui6bo3bm8g]

Hi John.. it's the 1996-2002 XKR Supercharger same transmission!?? Help

[@ToTheGarage]

Hi Early Super charged cars (XKR's) had a mercedes gearbox