2015 Grand Cherokee Overland gearbox leak

[GLC]

Not sure if anyone has experienced this problem. My gearbox is leaking and apparently all seals and gearbox sump need to be replaced. This is coming to R25k.

I have the Titanium AA warranty and it won't cover this repair as it is seals and not a component failure. Painful but true. See the seals comment on attached.

Has anyone else had this issue ?
Attachment 724249

Good morning,

Could you provide more info please?

Where is the leak originating from? Have you de-greased the area and attempted to check after a good drive?

I would suggest start there, most likely its only the sump gasket, but that also does not make sense as these gearboxes are "lifetime" and would not be opened by the dealer unless leaking.
I suspect that someone that is not the dealer attempted an oil change (gearbox) on the Jeep and either reused the old gasket or did not tighten the bolts correctly. (Ysters lieg nie )

I would do this myself if I were you...

Transmission oil pan

And the VICTOR REINZ 711917000 at rock auto dot com $12

Hope this helps!

[GLC]

Also, are you sure its not the oil cooler leaking. Fairly common issue and has a upgraded after market part for the 3,6.

Trips down the V of the engine and comes out at the top of the gearbox so can be hard to diagnose.

The transmission cooler is integrated into the condenser, you will clearly see the oil stain on the face of the condenser with a flashlight.

[Alwyn777]

Good morning,

Could you provide more info please?

Where is the leak originating from? Have you de-greased the area and attempted to check after a good drive?

I would suggest start there, most likely its only the sump gasket, but that also does not make sense as these gearboxes are "lifetime" and would not be opened by the dealer unless leaking.
I suspect that someone that is not the dealer attempted an oil change (gearbox) on the Jeep and either reused the old gasket or did not tighten the bolts correctly. (Ysters lieg nie )

I would do this myself if I were you...

Transmission oil pan

And the VICTOR REINZ 711917000 at rock auto dot com $12

Hope this helps!

With the emphasis on the quotes around "lifetime", because it sure as hell ain't

[GLC]

Are you connected with ZF? I think that I might have to get my Stevio's box checked out, she sometimes has this delay and then jump into second gear, as if she forget that we were still driving, when I decelerate and then start to accelerate again and she's starting this more often now. Is there a ZF specialist in Randburg?

Hows your oil levels in the box?

Low transmission oil levels are known for delayed gear changes and other gremlins.

Or it could also be software related.

[DEEZ]

Also, are you sure its not the oil cooler leaking. Fairly common issue and has a upgraded after market part for the 3,6.

Trips down the V of the engine and comes out at the top of the gearbox so can be hard to diagnose.

Took it for a second opinion and this seems to be it. It's a plastic unit.
Not sure if it is this and another leak. Have to fix this first and then check if more.
Apparently good chance of warping/breaking when removing to change gaskets. To replace is R9500 from agents

[DEEZ]

Took it for a second opinion and this seems to be it. It's a plastic unit.
Not sure if it is this and another leak. Have to fix this first and then check if more.
Apparently good chance of warping/breaking when removing to change gaskets. To replace is R9500 from agents

R 9500 for spares that is.

[DEEZ]

Good morning,

Could you provide more info please?

Where is the leak originating from? Have you de-greased the area and attempted to check after a good drive?

I would suggest start there, most likely its only the sump gasket, but that also does not make sense as these gearboxes are "lifetime" and would not be opened by the dealer unless leaking.
I suspect that someone that is not the dealer attempted an oil change (gearbox) on the Jeep and either reused the old gasket or did not tighten the bolts correctly. (Ysters lieg nie )

I would do this myself if I were you...

Transmission oil pan

And the VICTOR REINZ 711917000 at rock auto dot com $12

Hope this helps!

I will try. Not mechanically binded except on basics and using info given from people assessing the vehicle.

Oil cooler needs to be tackled first. Will then clean the area and reassess if more leaks. I am hoping not.

[Quiksilver]

Took it for a second opinion and this seems to be it. It's a plastic unit.
Not sure if it is this and another leak. Have to fix this first and then check if more.
Apparently good chance of warping/breaking when removing to change gaskets. To replace is R9500 from agents

OK, please read here. There is an upgraded part. Probably worth changing the oil pressure sensor and another sensor while you in there.

https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum...-Version/page5


https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-926-95...itle_auto?th=1

[Jeepiscool]

Hows your oil levels in the box?

Low transmission oil levels are known for delayed gear changes and other gremlins.

Or it could also be software related.

Interesting and thanks, can one check the oil level? I doubt it has a dip stick. I didn't see any gear box data on my obd2 scanner

[DEEZ]

OK, please read here. There is an upgraded part. Probably worth changing the oil pressure sensor and another sensor while you in there.

https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum...-Version/page5


https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-926-95...itle_auto?th=1

Thanks a stack for this info. Appreciated

[GLC]

Interesting and thanks, can one check the oil level? I doubt it has a dip stick. I didn't see any gear box data on my obd2 scanner

No dipstick, and no way to check. If you do still want to check... be ready to refill with new atf as there is also no drain hole. (On the GC at least) Not sure on the Stelvio

I could suggest that low trans oil levels could have the following symptoms:
1. Higher than normal trans temps under normal load.
2. Sluggish or delayed gear changes in automatic or in "manual" sport mode.

Only way to drain trans oil is to loosen the trans sump pan bolts enough without taking them out completely while someone holds the pan in place, once all bolts are loose enough the fun starts.
Allow the pan to tilt so the oil can start running out on one side, you can remove the bolts once there is just oil left in the pan itself. Remember to try and remove it while it remains in the same position to prevent any spills.

PS: Before doing all the above, first check if you can loosen the filler bolt... if you are unable to, at least there will still be oil in the box

Its a messy job but its doable with a big enough oil catch can, preferably one that is bigger than the diameter of the trans sump pan itself.

[Jeepiscool]

Thanks, but that doesn't sound like something that I should attempt in my garage, one would need a lift for that. And, I doubt it's the oil level as I've not leaked any oil, she's dry underneath and have always been except for the engine oil leak on the turbo oil line. I'll investigate the software upgrade, or else get her to the specialist. Might be that running her in Dynamic mode and banging up and down the gears did something

[DEEZ]

Oil cooler changed a day ago. Driven 50kms ....no other visible oil leaks. Mechanic will check again tomorrow. Really hoping it's just that.

Thanks for the advice and comments.

[DEEZ]

A few hundred kms done now. No issue.
Big thanks especially to Quiksilver. I would have not asked for 2nd opinion and pointed out oil cooler common fault

[Quiksilver]

How much did it end up costing - roughly, just so we have that forum knowledge?

[DEEZ]

How much did it end up costing - roughly, just so we have that forum knowledge?

Keeping the Jeep another year or 2 so put the locally available spare in. Cost me R7k.

[backmarker]

The Wk2 with the 8sp ZF box had two different pan filters, ( the earlier models 2013 to 2015 ish has a cheaper part) the later models (from some time in 2015) had a more expensive unit.
My 2014 Wk2 gearbox leaked, when hose that links the gearbox to the transmission cooler a/c condenser came loose after a long-distance drive. It came loose due to the one engine mount that had failed, and caused movement and vibration of the engine and gearbox assembly (the fluid leaked out of the engine mount)

These mounts normally fail after 140k kms.

Check the mounts, you will see a black or brown fluid stains round them, you know they need to be replaced.

Take the vehicle to ZF and they will do a complete diagnostic and software update.

Another note: The fluid is not normal ATF, it's very specific. I used Liquid Moly top tec 1800 when they refilled the box after the leak. Unfortunately, the box did need a flush and fluid replacement after about 40k kms. I would recommend that you let ZF do the flush and use the ZF fluid, it will last longer than the Liquimoly toptec 1800.

You also can't really fill this box at home, unless you are willing to put it on jack stands, get it 100% level and then cycle the gear box under power. (Should be done on a lift) and with a scanner to determine the correct temperature of the oil when you follow the filling procedure as per the Jeep workshop manual.

In short, take it to ZF!