Gearbox oil change - is the truth out there?

msdmjb44

New member
Folks, as a newbie(ish) to the FType I am struggling to understand what is required for the gearbox transmission fluid change.

The web is full of commentary along the lines of
- "don't mega flush" yet there are some businesses (with solid reputations) that solely specialise in JLR gearbox flushes.
- "replace the sump pan as it includes a filter", the UK main dealer I spoke to says they don't (and they don't megaflush) yet the French main dealer I spoke to insists it has to be replaced (I live in France but spend time in the UK)
- the standard approach to the oil change is less than 50% of old oil is drained .... if I did any oil change on any machine and 50% old oil remained I would question what was the point! I would seriously question the need if that much old oil remains in situ.
- "ZF don't recommend a flush" however for the last few years ZF are accepting to a flush (albeit without additives).

Ironically I will probably get the UK dealer to do it yet I know if there was a gearbox issue down the track they won't support me given the age of the car.

I expected this forum to be full of commentary around it as there should now be quite a few cars older than 10yrs old or perhaps like mine that oil change is still o/s despite the car now being 12years old.

Doing it myself isn't an option unfortunately so am relying on people who have the experience to do it right.

Anybody any experiences of gearbox issues and if they had changed the oil at 10yrs per schedule or any other comments?

Thanks for reading!
 
The dealer service schedule for my V6 was at 160k miles / 12 years, but I had it done at 80k miles (7 years), as per ZF recommendation, including the gearbox electrical connector and along with the supercharger oil, auxiliary belts and tensioner pulley.

The filter is part of the plastic pan so is changed out as an assembly and the connector was a recommendation from my trusted indy.

Total cost for the parts was £272 in Feb 2021.
 
just make sure the people doing the work are auto specialist , as i understand it is complicated to get correct
 
See https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=8135&start=1

As I understand it, ZF recommend a drain & fill, not a flush as this can possibly dislodge debris & cause further problems.
 
Thanks folks for the input.
A couple of Jaguar main dealers said to me yesterday they do not replace the plastic pan by default, only if the filter is at least partially blocked.
ZF have updated their advice to now say a flush is OK providing no additives are used.
It looks pretty simple to do tbh, I still can't get my head around approx 50% of the oil being changed!

@Lunar - do you mind giving me your specialist's name please?
 
Not at all - it’s Tom Lenthall.

Can’t recommend this place highly enough - if you phone them and have a chat with Adam I’m sure you’ll think it worth the drive to them for the advice and service provided.

I’ve used them for servicing, several items of warranty work (they take care of everything with the extended Jaguar warranty, if you have one) and ECU & pulley tuning.

Just watch the speed bumps on entrance to the area.


https://www.tomlenthall.co.uk/
 
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