I’ve a 3.2 X300 which now has just over 70k under her belt (40k
when I bought it). Not too long after I bought it, it developed a
harsh shudder when shifting from 3rd to 4th gear (ZF auto). This
happens at all RPM points (although if anything, I’d say it was
better under stress - say 4k RPM) and speed isn’t an issue either.
It’s intermittent, but only in that every 1 in 10 times, it DOESN’T
do it. It spoils an otherwise smooth ride. The change out of 1st
gear at anything over 2K RPM is extremely harsh, but I believe that
is normal on these all-mechnical 'boxes.
So far, one garage blames a clutch in the gearbox, and another
blames the timing chain (it has a slight start-up rattle cold or
warm) slipping slightly (but couldn’t explain why it only happens
on gear changes, and yes, it is the revised tensioner).
Fluid has been changed regularly, and arranged for two consecutive
changes, but to no avail.
I’ve yet to find anyone willing to remove the transmission for a
reasonable charge, and I don’t see that it’s worth spending too
much cash on.
Anyone with any suggestions on this? - the transmission really lets
the car down, and from cold, the vibrations and shudders are so bad
at around 2k RPM, that I find myself sticking to under 1500rpm on
my way to the office. Help!–
Daniel McAllister
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from Daniel McAllister sent Sun 12 Sep 2004:
You have the following, in my opinion:
An abnormal-shifting car, even for a non-electronic box.
A persistent transmission problem, either major or a minor one
liable to become major for want of attention.
Bad advice from the garage suggesting it is a timing chain issue
An urgent need to visit a transmission specialist
A possible chance to sort it out by cleaning the valve block and
thorough testing/adjusting (see item 4).
A timing chain/tensioner refurb in your future.–
Peter Crespin 94 X300 Daimler / 66 2+2 ‘E’
Buxton, United Kingdom
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from Peter Crespin sent Sun 12 Sep 2004:
Hi Peter,
Thanks for the response. As you say, I think I’ll have to find a
transmission specialist, rather than trying Jaguar independents.
I’m wary of spending an awful lot on it - I’m hoping to find either
an X300 XJR, or a 4.0 XJ8 before too long - I find the 3.2 a little
sluggish, and the transmission very poor (although I’d imagine mine
is particularly bad, because I can’t believe they were like this
new!) Then again, it’s going to take a naive buyer to buy the car
privately if I was to try and sell it as is!
I’ll have a look in the yellow pages tomorrow and on google, and
see if there’s a promising transmission company in North West UK.
Daniel.–
Daniel McAllister
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from Daniel McAllister sent Sun 12 Sep 2004:
I hate to hijack this thread, but I was reading some
informaiton that these cars use plastic timing chain guides…
Is it recommended these are changed?? Is the I6 an
interference engine…???–
Wes
Anderson, IN, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from Daniel McAllister sent Sun 12 Sep 2004:
Sorry to read about your problem.
I have a 3.2 XJ Sport. This car has 110,000km on it now and runs
very smoothly and is definitely not sluggish, quite spirited in
fact. You definitely have a trans problem. The ZF 4 speed box
used in the 3.2 has negligeable problems compared to the electronic
version in the 4.0l.
Go to a trans specialist who is used to working on ZF boxes.
Shouldn’t be hard to find - as bimmer use them as do a number of
other marques.
In reply to a message from Daniel McAllister sent Sun 12 Sep 2004:
Daniel,
You write that the problem occurs when shifting, but you also write
that it keeps you from driving over 2K. So it also happens also
when driving say about 120 kmh?
I have had similar rumbles when shifting(4.0L). The mechanic
thought there was a problem with the drive-axle, wich now has been
replaced, but not completely solved the problem. The two tubes of
the axle are vulcanized together and the rubber has losened causing
the rumble when shifting gears, but also unbalance when driving.
Now there is still a problem when shifting while in a left turn,
possibly caused by the differential.
My next step will have to do with the differential/trans-axles.
Please let us know what your findings are.–
The original message included these comments:
harsh shudder when shifting from 3rd to 4th gear (ZF auto). This
happens at all RPM points (although if anything, I’d say it was
the car down, and from cold, the vibrations and shudders are so bad
at around 2k RPM, that I find myself sticking to under 1500rpm on
–
drewes55
Valkenswaard NL, Netherlands
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from elwesso sent Mon 13 Sep 2004:
The upper timing chain tensioners for the X308 V8 are plastic
coated and can fail. This is likley what you heard about. The I6 is
an interference engine. Frankly, I don’t know of a modern engine
that is not. In order to compete in the markeplace these days,
engines need a high specific output. Large angled valve openings,
multiple cams, big valve overlap timing and high compression
contribute to the interference design. The engines that were not
interference were like the old BMC A-series engines where the two
tiny valves opened straight down and the things ran 6.5-1
compression, so the piston at TDC was a mile away from the valves .–
Brian Caro
Newport News, VA, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from drewes55 sent Thu 16 Sep 2004:
Hi,
The problem I was referring to happens only during the 3rd
to 4th change. However, what you say is highly interesting,
because another issue is a vibration which can be felt
approaching 50mph, but not at lower or higher speeds. So you
may well be right - I’ll ask someone to take a good look at
the axles and diff. I’ll let you know what they say.–
Daniel McAllister
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–