The Borg-Warner model 65/66 transmission was fitted to the 1980-1987 XJ6. In the U.S, this transmission has developed a reputation for unreliability and short life. Interestingly, in the U.K. this transmission has developed a reputation for dependability and long life.
In the U.K., car owners are trained (practically from birth) to regularly service their cars, including transmission fluid & filter changes. In the U.S., with 100,000 mile service intervals on the new cars, regular maintenance has received less emphasis.
Hmmmmmmm…… There’s a pattern here. What we can learn from this is that when regularly serviced, including a fluid flush and filter change every 30,000 miles (just like it says in the owner’s handbook) these transmissions can give a long and dependable service life.
Running the transmission with too much fluid or too little fluid can also cause erratic behavior, so check your transmission fluid level regularly.
These maintenance precautions will extend the service life of every transmission, not just the Model 65/66.
See our Jaguar Parts Store Catalog to order parts.
