2.7 diesel ZF automatic gearbox fault

[PVBarri]

Sorry if this has been raised before but new to the forum and I couldn't find any topic directly relevant so raising a new one.

I have a 2.7 diesel, auto (ZF box I believe) in an S-type that I have had since new (December 06). I do around 8,000 a year - mostly motorway driving - and the car has been brilliant............ right up until Monday, when the ABS fault light ("disc not available") came on and, in what I believe is a separate problem, the day before yesterday when the gearbox fault light came on. With the latter the car seemed to be stuck in one gear because when I took it to the dealership in Chichester yesterday it stuck at 3000 RPM at 50 MPH along a dual carrageway. Dealership plugged it in and the verdict, based on the diagnostic printout, is that I have a mechanical problem and the cure is either a: a replacement 'exchange' box from Jaguar at a shade over £4000 or b: sending it off for a gearbox refurbishment at a shade over £3000. Have gone for the former, which I have been assured is essentially a new gearbox in the old casing, because of time (its quicker and I need the car (and they don't have a loaner at such short notice)) and because I am hoping that if there are any inherent faults with the ZF auto box; they have been 'developed out. However, can't help but wonder about the need for a replacement/full refurb based on a software diagnostic......

Anybody had similar problems? 

Any comments welcome.

[Old Peter]

Welcome to the Club, Paul.

 

I am sorry to hear about your gearbox fault.

 

I have not come across the fault and having the same gearbox, I hope I don't.

 

Some months ago there was an invitation to visit an automatic gearbox specialist to which some of our members went.  I would have gone but the venue was in Scotland, which is a bit far.

 

Some those who went might be able to tell you something.

 

I will look up the name of the company and get back to you.

 

Regards,

 

Peter.

[PVBarri]

Much obliged Peter.  I may be stuck with the dealership option because I do need the car but I believe the info you are trying to get will be useful because;

 

1. heaven forbid........... I'll need their services again!

 

2. it may be of help to other members - I have been getting hints of problems with Jaguar gearboxes but nothing difinitive about the ZF auto for the S-type auto. and

 

3. I am considering taking this further.  I.e. asking Jaguar (rather than the dealership) for a reason for the cause of the problem.  After all, if they are going to strip out my gearbox they must be able to determine what the problem was - even if it's too late to avoid the bill!

 

Paul

[Old Peter]

Hi Paul,

 

The Company which delighted many of our northern members is 

 

Mackies automatic transmissions

95 Causeway Street

Tollcross

Glasgow

G32 8LT

 

0141 778 4476

 

It is worth having a look at their website.

 

I don't get oily hands any more, but do like to know what is wrong if anything does go wrong.

 

The ZF gearbox seems to be well respected by many owners, but like all things made by humans can go wrong occasionally

 

Regards,

 

Peter.

[Martinkessy]

Hi Paul,

 

I have had a recent major problem with my S type Diesel auto box.

 

Like you I had a to have a major rebuild of the 'box to the tune of £3600 from an independent Jag Specialist in Derby. From what I gather I have now got a new 'box in the old casing and it works wonderfully.

 

The cause, apparently, was glycol from the antifreeze from the engine coolant system contaminating the Oil in the gearbox which in turn destroys seals etc. irreparably killing the gearbox. I understand that the original Oil cooler is part of the radiator and over time the alloy corrodes between the tow coolers allowing water and antifreeze into the gearbox, the water evaporates and the glycol does its damage.

 

As part of the gearbox rebuild Performance and Elite Jags in Derby fitted a new cooler with new piping so this particular problem can not raise its head again.

 

This seems to be a well documented problem with these vehicles on other forums etc. and appears to happen at any time, my Jag has only now passed 60000 miles and is a 2005 model.

 

This may not be the cause of the problem but if they have not got rid of the gearbox Oil it can be analysed for contaminants and this problem put to bed.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Martin

[PVBarri]

Many thanks for the company information Peter, and for your reply Martin. Just curious as to what the diagnostic indicator was? Or did you not go to a Jag dealership. They showed me the diagnostic result and the report / line that indicated a 'mechanical fault rather than a software one but, unfortunately, I didn't keep a copy.  I will be asking for it, however, when I collect the car on Friday.  As I said, for £4k I'm hoping for something a little more specific regarding the cause.

 

Paul

[Mercury RV]

Does anyone else have the same problem as my own car? (2006/7 S Type 2.7) During warmer weather, no problem at all, once the cold weather comes along, start up, pull away with anything other than tickover, then drops with a clunk into 2nd gear and stays there, once the gearbox Oil warms up just turn off the engine and restart and it is back to normal, failing that make sure the car is warmed up before you set off and everything is fine.  It sort of says to me that it may be an issue with gearbox fluid level being that this is supposed to be a sealed gearbox and never requires any interaction.  The logic behind this theory is that the fluid expands a fair bit when hot, as such once warm or warmer weather no problems.  Has anyone every found this may be the case or suffered the same issue?  Kindest regards, Simon

[Mercury RV]

Thank you Charlie, Mine has been like this for 2+ years now, as such I am just careful with it when cold.  I also have a Citroen C6 which has the Asin Warner gearbox, now these again are a sealed box with no need they say for any intervention, but I also know that they benefit from a gearbox flush/fluid change, which I am having done by a gearbox company in Dartford Kent after Christmas.  Perhaps this is the answer to my woes as well with the Jaguar.  I had an issue with the gearbox on my Daimler Super V8 some years ago coming up with a gearbox fault, Jaguar just changed the gearbox, but that was under warranty (can you believe at a cost of some £6000+) but that was a little excessive. Thanks again, Simon

[gr1]

On 11/30/2014 at 0:01 AM, Mercury RV said:

Does anyone else have the same problem as my own car? (2006/7 S Type 2.7) During warmer weather, no problem at all, once the cold weather comes along, start up, pull away with anything other than tickover, then drops with a clunk into 2nd gear and stays there, once the gearbox oil warms up just turn off the engine and restart and it is back to normal, failing that make sure the car is warmed up before you set off and everything is fine.  It sort of says to me that it may be an issue with gearbox fluid level being that this is supposed to be a sealed gearbox and never requires any interaction.  The logic behind this theory is that the fluid expands a fair bit when hot, as such once warm or warmer weather no problems.  Has anyone every found this may be the case or suffered the same issue?  Kindest regards, Simon

hi i have a 2006 s type diesel 91000mls have problem as above 50mph on motorway also when i put in drive or revers in clunks/bangs into gear

[gr1]

hi pv barri what was the outcome did you fix it as i have similar problem and yes main dealer told me the same over the phone they dont repair only relace

[Old Peter]

HI Gary and Simon

The ZF gearbox -- in most top end cars -- is supposed t be sealed for life.  However, there are quite a few members who have had the gearbox fluid changed at circa 75k miles with some improvement in the performance of the gearbox. 

Regards,

Peter.

[Mercury RV]

4 minutes ago, Old Peter said:

HI Gary and Simon

The ZF gearbox -- in most top end cars -- is supposed t be sealed for life.  However, there are quite a few members who have had the gearbox fluid changed at circa 75k miles with some improvement in the performance of the gearbox. 

Regards,

Peter.

Good morning all,  I did indeed have the gearbox flushed and filter replaced some years ago (whenever it was I posted my question) and it did cure the problem.  The company in Dartford Kent use a machine that links up to the pipework that goes to the Oil cooler and the fluid is sucked out and then replaced by the new fluid.  I recall it was around 250.00 to have it done, but it worked.  It is something that needs to be in the service schedule, however for wahtever reason Jaguar do not list it.

I now have a Jaguar XF 'S' and have asked the main dealer if it is part of the standard service procedure on the XF, however they still say it is not.  It WILL be something I will be doing again on the XF in the future rather than wait for the problem to manifest itself.  For what it is worth, I suggest it should be done irrespective of the fact that it is not really cheap to do, still a lesser cost than a gearbox.  Kindest regards to you all. Simon

[kpt]

Hi, My ABS fault light came on along with DSC not available. The car was due its MOT and failed because of this. I drove it to an electrical specialist who diagnosed a faulty abs Sensor on one of the rear wheels. I went to pick up the part from Jaguar and on the way a new light saying gearbox fault came on. The car clunked and jolted every time I put it into gear.

Anyway they fitted the new sensor and all problems went away with no new gearbox required. 

[PVBarri]

Hi all.

Apologies to gr1 for not answering (last year!). No excuses; just haven't been on the forum for a while.

Anyway, at the time, the 3 choices available to me were:

1. Get my gearbox fixed.

2. Jaguar, reconditioned replacement box.

3. New box.

I needed the car so chose No. 2. at around 3k. However, I always wondered if that was a mistake. In hindsight, I would have paid the extra £800 ish and got the new box and taken the old one back to have it refurbished later.  Why? Well, I was always highly sceptical about an indicator light and gear-lock safety function necessitating such major work (expecially in light of ktp's comments above!) and would have liked to know what the problem was. Also, given that it had only done around 60,000 'easy' miles and I dont want to change the car unless I absolutely have to, I may end up having the same problem with what I now believe to be a smooth but frail gearbox so, in theory, I would already have a box - though in reality I would probably have sold it having at least satisfied my curosity as to whether it was a mechanical fault or, as with kpt, simply a faulty sensor.

Ho hum.

 

[DPF]

kraken514@gmail.com

About 1 week ago had ABS warning with no DSC checked and diagnostic says nearside rear sensor fault have purchased new sensor but before it arrived had gearbox fault appear with clunk when engaging drive or reverse, reading this forum it seems this sequence of events is a common trait - will change abs sensor tomorrow and hope for the best

S type 2.7 diesel 2005 61k miles

DPF