1987 Jaguar XJ6

Reader Question: Hey,

I have a couple questions regarding the automatic transmission in my 1987 Jaguar XJ6. I am pretty handy when it comes to cars, but I don’t really know much about transmissions in general.

I got it stuck on the side of an icy road, and tried rocking it from D to R to get it free. I eventually had to give up and have it towed. The next day when I tried to drive it, it would slip in R, just barely engaging at low throttle to move the car a bit before fully slipping, and in D it will shift smoothly from first to second, but refuse to shift into third.

I checked the fluid, it was a little high and due for a change, but did not smell burnt. I took the pan off the transmission, and though it was a little bit sludgy. I found almost no metal shavings stuck to the magnet that had been placed inside.

However, one of the screws for the filter had fallen into the pan, and one other one had worked its way almost halfway out. The filter appeared to be fairly clean after I removed it. Is it possible that just a loose filter could have caused this erratic behavior, or is this wishful thinking?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

Shane

Hey Shane,

You kinda got me there. I am not a Jaguar or a transmission mechanic. Shifting from Drive to Reverse like that CAN burn up a transmission. I should know I did it one year myself. You can try replacing the filter and see what happens. But I think you have some internal wear/damage and will need to see a transmission shop or get a used transmission from a junk yard.

There is not much you can do to a transmission externally except replace the filter, so the transmission will likely have to come out of the vehicle for inspection but being 20 years old and the fact you just punished it you will probably be looking at an overhaul.

Blessings,
Austin Davis