There is a guy in NC who manufactures Oil Dip Sticks for the 5 speed transmission and from the reports from some of those who have purchased them, I became interested and contacted him.

He has developed all the necessary components for the 6 speed, but needs someone to provide a car for the final fittings.

So if your in the NC area and would be interested, contact him at: "tematmeurosport.com" for details.

I'm in no way associated with [meurospot]. My interest is only in trying to get him a car so he can do the final [whatevers] and then I'll be able to buy one for my car/s.

Transmissions that are sealed for life/some say death, do not appeal to me. How any manufacture, of any car, can use one in their car without a transmission dip stick is way beyond me.

Cheers
Garfield
05/XJ8L & XK8 Conv.

Submitted by vineyardman68@… on Mon, 08/18/2014 - 13:07

Thank's Steve, always glad to hear your view points.

My intent with the dip stick post, is that from what I've read, they are well made and provide those with questions about fluid levels-- after they have made a oil pan/filter and what little oil they can get from this type of service---a "feel good" feeling.

From what I can sumise from the comments made you get only 5/6 quarts of oil out this way. How that mixes with the other 6 or 7 quarts still in there is anyones guess.

The dip stick info was just passed on. It sounds like a pretty good idea, if for nothing else-- peace of mind. Depending on coast, I may buy one myself. If I ever sell the conv. it may be a good selling point.

Thanks again Steve, and as always---Cheers.

Garfield
05/XJ8L & XK8 Conv.

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Sun, 08/17/2014 - 15:12

Edited on 2014-08-17 15:17:07
Hello Steve, we have done hundreds of transmission fluid and FILTER changes. I have never had a problem because of it, Just this past week we did it on a (308 (2001) XJ8 with 106445 miles) as it had odd driving problems. The filter was fairly badly blocked. The feed back thus far is, NO noises> My experience has been that, if the filter gets blocked enough it will reduce the flow to the box, a lack of fluid will further damage the friction surfaces. As for a dipstick, for what? If the unit hasn't had a leak it will stil be full.

regards Bill

Submitted by stevejag@sbcgl… on Sun, 08/17/2014 - 14:24

Garfield, in 1960 I would have wholeheartedly agreed with you, but today I'll have to split with you. Below is a post I made elsewhere relating an encounter I had with a ZF Technical guy:

************************
Well, since opinions are like you-know-what, and everybody has one.......here goes.

I'll stick with the 'Filled for Life', mostly because, as you have yourself noted, the ZF fluid is an extremely high quality fluid. Today's fluids just do not break down and oxidize as fluids in the past.

Second, and I have mentioned this before elsewhere, a ZF technical fellow once made a case that I have yet to find a way to dispute. Transmissions operate with clutch packs that are stacks of alternating steel and friction disks or plates. Hydraulic pressure presses them together to hold various gears, and allows minor slippage during gear changes. Obviously friction plates wear over time, and this shed material goes into the fluid. His contention is that this material, suspended in the fluid continually circulates with the fluid and keeps coming back the the party and plays a roll in the friction packs. These are fully adaptable transmissions that adapt to the friction properties [or the changes in friction properties] over time. By flushing and exchanging the fluid, you in essence flush out a good bit of 'friction modifier', his words, right out in one fell swoop. This causes an immediate change in friction property within the transmission. He said, "Ever heard of a trans inexplicably acting strange after a fluid change?"
Made me ponder......I've lived by that ever since.

***********************

Barring a leak, a hard failure or an electrical component failure, I pretty much leave the trans fluid alone. Most odd shifting noted in the 6HP 6 speed trans, can be addressed with diagnostic equipment and clearing the trans adaptions. Adaptive transmissions can sometimes "learn" some bad things, and that adaption has to be erased.

Just my opinion, and not necessarily that of the management. :-)

Cheers,