2015 XF S Rear diff noise/leaking pinion seal replaced 2018
Discussion
My 2015 X250 XF 3.0D S had an advisory for a rear differential fluid leak on its first MoT in 2018 at 15,000 miles. A new seal was fitted by the Jaguar dealer in 2018 and I assumed the problem was fully resolved. However, I took the car in for a Jaguar dealer service today at 40,000 miles and was told there is a noise coming from the differential and that rear diff pinion seal is moist. The noise is very slight and I can only hear it from the passenger seat, it just sounds like the air conditioning fan is on at a very low setting speed. The car still drives 100% fine.
I've read lots of horror stories online about XF rear diffs failing and it costing a fortune to replace them. Can someone recommend the best course of action to take?
I've found a transmission/differential specialist not too far away and I was thinking they should be able change the diff oil and put a new seal on. However, if the diff is already making a noise is it already damaged to an extent that a diff oil change won't improve things?
Also, I've heard that changing the diff oil and seal involves rebalancing the diff and this is a tricky job and that the diff won't be as smooth afterwards. Am I best to take it to a transmission/diff specialist rather than the Jaguar main dealer? I can't imagine the Jaguar dealer has that much experience of changing diffs unlike the specialists that work on transmissions and diffs every day and the Jaguar dealer wants £132 just to look at the problem again!
Am I best to get the diff oil and seal changed at a specialist and hope that the noise is resolved by this. Which is the best type of diff oil to use and am I correct in saying 0.85 litres should be used?
In the very worst case scenario, if the diff fails in the future, I have seen a few second hand diffs on eBay for around £250 - how much would it cost to get a used diff fitted and is it possible to fit a used diff without losing the smoothness of power delivery associated with the XF? I've read online that it can cost several thousand pounds to replace the diff but as I say there are always quite a few used diffs on eBay and I can't imagine that the labour would be thousands of pounds at an independent garage.
Ideally, I'd like to keep this car for many years to come - aside from this diff issue, everything is 100% fine with it but I am worried that this rear diff issue will be a persistent pain.
I've read lots of horror stories online about XF rear diffs failing and it costing a fortune to replace them. Can someone recommend the best course of action to take?
I've found a transmission/differential specialist not too far away and I was thinking they should be able change the diff oil and put a new seal on. However, if the diff is already making a noise is it already damaged to an extent that a diff oil change won't improve things?
Also, I've heard that changing the diff oil and seal involves rebalancing the diff and this is a tricky job and that the diff won't be as smooth afterwards. Am I best to take it to a transmission/diff specialist rather than the Jaguar main dealer? I can't imagine the Jaguar dealer has that much experience of changing diffs unlike the specialists that work on transmissions and diffs every day and the Jaguar dealer wants £132 just to look at the problem again!
Am I best to get the diff oil and seal changed at a specialist and hope that the noise is resolved by this. Which is the best type of diff oil to use and am I correct in saying 0.85 litres should be used?
In the very worst case scenario, if the diff fails in the future, I have seen a few second hand diffs on eBay for around £250 - how much would it cost to get a used diff fitted and is it possible to fit a used diff without losing the smoothness of power delivery associated with the XF? I've read online that it can cost several thousand pounds to replace the diff but as I say there are always quite a few used diffs on eBay and I can't imagine that the labour would be thousands of pounds at an independent garage.
Ideally, I'd like to keep this car for many years to come - aside from this diff issue, everything is 100% fine with it but I am worried that this rear diff issue will be a persistent pain.
I would totally disregard anything a Jaguar Main Dealer Service Department told me Hal , I would find yourself a good Independent Jaguar Specialist and ask his opinion and advice and dont mention anything about what the Main Dealer has said . As regards fitting second hand diffs I think that could be a potential minefield and for the obvious reasons .
Depending on what the Jaguar Independent says I would then be making my decisions , if its big money I would be getting rid whilst there is still some value in the car .
Depending on what the Jaguar Independent says I would then be making my decisions , if its big money I would be getting rid whilst there is still some value in the car .
Edited by reddiesel on Saturday 12th March 07:38
reddiesel said:
Its a pretty well known issue amongst XF Owners to be fair Steve so nothing unusual .
The fact it's a known issue only makes it worse though. Making a diff seal last longer than 15k miles can't be that much of a challenge as most other marques seem entirely capable of managing that.
Jaguar steve said:
The fact it's a known issue only makes it worse though.
Making a diff seal last longer than 15k miles can't be that much of a challenge as most other marques seem entirely capable of managing that.
Stop being silly Steve. I’ve had worse from my German cars at 1 day old. Making a diff seal last longer than 15k miles can't be that much of a challenge as most other marques seem entirely capable of managing that.
fatboy b said:
Stop being silly Steve. I’ve had worse from my German cars at 1 day old.
That hardly makes it acceptable though does it?I'd expect perfection from any car in that price bracket and mileage and not one with a repeatedly failing oil seal or enough play in the 'diff to cause gear or bearing noise noise and the seal to weep.
Jaguar steve said:
fatboy b said:
Stop being silly Steve. I’ve had worse from my German cars at 1 day old.
That hardly makes it acceptable though does it?I'd expect perfection from any car in that price bracket and mileage and not one with a repeatedly failing oil seal or enough play in the 'diff to cause gear or bearing noise noise and the seal to weep.
Jaguar steve said:
Don't worry I won't.
I've read enough about the XF's reliability to draw a line through it rather than under it if I ever think seriously about replacing my XJ on any potential car shopping list.
I think a lot of these reliability issues can be Model Specific Steve when it comes to the XF . As regards it being a suitable replacement for an XJ personally I think you would be disappointed though plenty have made the transition successfully . What sort of mileage are you covering annually ?I've read enough about the XF's reliability to draw a line through it rather than under it if I ever think seriously about replacing my XJ on any potential car shopping list.
reddiesel said:
What sort of mileage are you covering annually ?
Hardly any in the XJ over the last couple of years which is why I'm toying with getting shot of it.Dilemma is though it's a very well maintained low miles example with all the X308 issues attended to. I've had it for a very long time and apart from needing a new headlining and a good clean there's nothing wrong with it at all and I know for sure if I do get rid unless I pay silly money now I won't find another one as good.
A X350 won't fit in the garage so that's out and the vast majority of XFs are 4 cyl diesels and that's a bit of an ask coming from a lush V8 petrol - and on top all that Mrs JS is always ready to point out that we don't really need three cars between the two of us at all.
So it continues to sit in the garage covered in dust...
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