Thread: D1 Autos- how do YOU check the fluid level

NO, ALWAYS at the FULL mark, COLD idle in Park or neutral with the ZF trans. I have even been told to slightly overfill the D2 versions, by up to 500ml.

JC

Thanks JC
What do you think the long term consequences of setting the level hot would be?

I can see I am going to have to tell him that I will be setting as you describe - and as that is against his recommendations he will probably start talking warranty void.


Lindsay

depends on which dipstick you have...

if you have the one that only has 1 set of marks about 2 inches up from the end of the stick thats a cold check.

if you have the one that has 2 sets of marks about 3 inches apart at something like 2 and 5 inches on the stick then it doesnt matter, if its cold you use the lower marks if its hot you use the top marks.

you always do it with the engine running after cycling through the gears ensuring that its tried to drive in both forwards and reverse with the engine at idle and the box in neutral or park.

Gday Dave

Just the marks about an inch from the bottom of the stick - so for the cold check.

Originally Posted by Linds

Thanks JC
What do you think the long term consequences of setting the level hot would be?

I can see I am going to have to tell him that I will be setting as you describe - and as that is against his recommendations he will probably start talking warranty void.


Lindsay

Warranty void if it has too low a fluid level though, and basically the Landrover manual states to do it the way i describe, its even written on the top of the dipstick in some earlier RRC's.

The difference between low and high marks on this particular trans is about 500ml, but after a long drive and getting it to operating temp, you will notice the level will be about 10 to 15mm at least higher. This means that in order to fill the trans to the full mark when hot, you have about 10 to 15% less oil. I haven't yet seen ANY problems arising from being even 500ml overfilled, either towing or offroad driving in hot temperatures.

It is his call as a rebuilder I suppose, but I don't quite agree with the method.

JC

With a reco box fitted by the reco crowd I would have thought that if it leaked and then failed due to low tranny fluid then it would automatically be a proper warranty claim because it would be his workmanship and his gasket which failed. Autos can't burn oil like engines so it should stay at the level to that which it was filled - by him.

Thx Grumbles,

As pointed out by JC..his recommended level means there will be 10 to 15% less fluid than recommended by Landrover. I worry that this will be a problem expecially in extreme off road conditions. I'm not sure how he can come up with that...and Im not confident that that wasnt part of the reason why the previous box failed after being serviced by them. I understand your point of view though-from the rebuilder's perspective- if he is providing a warranty then his recommendations should apply.

But if he is just plain wrong..? Still havent heard of anyone else technically agreeing with the wisdom of the hot check..

update-I just did a cold check and the fluid does not register on the stick at all.

L

Put some oil in, get a copy of the workshop manual from an authorised Land Rover repairer and show this bloke, if he says it will void his warranty, go to the appropriaite authority and cover your arse and then find a gearbox builder that knows what he's talking about, Regards Frank.