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[ChrisS]

Pretty sure this is a stock problem. I even bought some new lines to fit to cure the proble, but given it's such an arse of a job (10 hours according to the book), haven't got round to it yet.

Was underneath doing the oils & filters on Saturday and it's starting to get a bit messy under there with the increasing amount of ATF that's coming out of the lines, so, to the ponit...

Does anyone have a good shortcut method to cure the leak? I did wonder if it's possible to repair the offending flexible section and leave the hard lines in place.

Any experiences welcome!

TFL

[JamesH]

Trans lines on XJs have been repaired with hi-torq jubilee clips and replacement sections of rubber hose (normally they leak where there are pin holes on the hard section of the line).

Out of interest did you do the autobox fluid and what type did you use?

[frosty 1]

JK lines are just the same, I cut the entire section of flexy pipe out of mine when I fitted a extra cooler, including the joints, get a pipe cutter from a plumbers merchant, so you don't get any swarf or saw bits in the pipes, then get the correct type of pipe (demon tweeks), I jointed them with good quality jubilee clips, 2 at each joint. a messy job, but they don't leak any more, and a lot quicker than replacing the entire pipe assy, which will probably leak again in time. frosty

[ChrisS]

Thanks for that chaps - was thinking a replacement of the flexi section alone would be the way to go but wanted confirmation ideally.  I've got a suitable pipe cutter and getting some suitable pipe is no bother. Good to know it's a viable fix. The ones on our WK are leaking at the joint of flexi and rigid as far as I can tell. Annoying really given it's not got huge miles on it, and it's barely 6 years old. Wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't such a bitch of a job as well. I bought new lines about a year ago and had thought to do it at the same time I did the service...and have been putting off the gearbox service for that very reason, but I've still not wound myself into the job so thought I'd best get the service done. I've got a pipe flaring kit as well, so may look at the chances of doing that as well. Probably kidding myself, but access to the flexi section didn't look too terrible....

James - yes, I did do the 545 oil & filters. Got a set of bits from HC Car parts - a Jeep dealer from down south somewher. FOund them on Ebay then ended up dealing direct. Very helpful folk.

The fluid for the 545 was the OEM Mopar stuff, ATF+4, part number 05103527EA at an eye-waternig £14.76 per litre, back in '09 when I ordered the bits. The filters were bloody expensive too. £37 for the big one, £15 for the cooler return filter.

Used about 5.5l for the service. The book says about 5, and it was a tad low due to the leak, so 6l should be plenty for a 'normal' service. IIRC it was about 14 for a complete overhaul. I know it's normal practice, but I can't help wondering how effective only changing 1/3 of the oil actually is.

The oil I took out looked pretty good - still clear and only a wee bit discoloured. Only a very fine layer of metallic dust on the magnet too.

I was hoping the service might improve the sometimes very harsh 3-4 up-shift it gives on light loads, but doesn't seem much better.

The engine oil change has made a big improvement on the 'hemi tick' as well. In fact, it's gone away completely, which is interestnig really as the oil that came out looked pretty nice too.

An engine & transmission oil & filter change is NOT a cheap exercise is it!  7l of Redline 5W/20 and 6l of ATF, plus filters. Probably wouldn't get any change from £500 from a dealer for that job I imagine. Bad enough DIY.


This might be useful. http://www.centerforqa.com/licensedatf4brands.html

[JamesH]

Mine's the CRD so different fluids but still expensive - I had all but the autobox done at TCJ in Northampton as part of a big service and it was over £500. They didn't do the autobox because it's a 'sealed for life' Merc box but that idea doesn't sit well with me so I'll do it myself.

[ChrisS]

Our Alfa 166 has a sealed for life auto box as well. A ZF job used in a range of cars...some of which have a dipstick and fill tube...makes no sense and feels wrong to me too, but there aer stories of folks having problems after doing a fluid change so who knows.