Diesel L322

[cairnsrover]

Hi there

I have just joined this forum so thought I would say g'day.
Just bought a 05 diesel and will fly to sydney this weekend and drive up back here to the far north on the New England.
Looking forward to the trip the last long one I did was Brisbane to Cairns in a 1966 Citroen ID last September so this should be a faster trip.
Any basic repair things I should carry, I hear occasional stories of suspension collapse?
Any ideas and suggestions appreciated

[101RRS]

By any chance the very low km - 2004 - 05MY Blue one with white interior? Company directors wife's car?

[Bazzle218]

Welcome: Did the trip 4 moths ago, Victoria to Townsville via new England. I had my 300 tdi Fully serviced and all hoses replaced just in case. If your happy with vehicle service history perhaps carry just a set of hoses, some oil and coolant just in case. I carry these on any long trip. I and checked vehicle at every fuel up until i was happy that i knew its issues and then a first parade every day, check coolants oils lights.;)

[cairnsrover]

Yes that's the one. Strictly as I suspected not co directors car but father. Has not been used much so the long drive will do it good

[101RRS]

That was a nice looking unit and really low kms - was interested in it as well but with the stock market crash over the past week would have lost too many units in my managed fund if I made a withdrawal to buy it. When you get it tell us all about it so I can see what I missed out on.

This post of mine was prompted by my spotting your new Rangie. http://www.aulro.com/afvb/range-rover/104056-range-rover-td6-vs-rrs-tdv6.html

Good luck with it.

Garry

[cairnsrover]

Phew thought for a moment that you were going to tell me something terrible about it. Yes it drove well I was at first concerned about its very low mileage for its year but the explanation seems ok.

I will know more after doing 2600 kms in it in 30 odd hours bringing it up here!

[PAT303]

It'll do it easy,mines crossed from Kal to Sydney twice and will again in a month,it should do 30mpg without much drama. Pat

[cairnsrover]

Thanks Pat yes looking forward to the drive
tried local dealer for radiator hoses the bottom hose is avaialble out of Melbourne the top hose would have to come out of the UK so not much good to me for this weekend.
Its years since I had a hose go on me but nice to have on long drives.
Is that the usual story with parts for LRs ?

[Daniel]

I've had my 2005 L322 td6 since new - now have done 140k.

Forget about radiator hoses - they never go with modern materials used.
Check that the LR recall front diff has been fixed.

Other than that just avoid all the speed cameras on the NE Hwy.

[cairnsrover]

Thanks Daniel yes the front diff was fixed by Trivett in Sydney which was a relief to find out as dealer here claimed no knowledge of it.

Years since I did the NE Highway are the cameras anywhere or just near towns?

[Daniel]

Thanks Daniel yes the front diff was fixed by Trivett in Sydney which was a relief to find out as dealer here claimed no knowledge of it.

Years since I did the NE Highway are the cameras anywhere or just near towns?

Currently, all of the speed cameras in NSW are signposted.
There are 2 on the F3 between Sydney and Beresfield, and then another at Lochinvar (40 kph during school times), another in the 60 kph at Scone and then about 5 or 6 more up to the Qld border. Most of these are in open 100 kph areas especially south of Tamworth although there is one getting further on closer to Glen Innes.

All State Highway Patrol cars can be either marked or bright coloured unmarked Commodores all all carry mobile laser/radar units.

Check that Trivetts actually did the complete diff replacement. My 2005 had the diff repair done (replacement input flange) with LR Customer Care managment denying any issue although the local dealer had RRs constantly occupying one of the 2 reapir bays with diff repairs. And then a couple of months later had the complete diff replacment done under a factory recall.

I've recently heard that the GM transmission with sealed for life lubrication needs to have fluid replacement every 60k although LR does not do this.
I'm waiting for some kind knowledgeable person to tell me how to do this.

After my factory warranty expired I've done all the servicing myself - basically only engine oil & filters.

Have safe trip!

[F4Phantom]

I've recently heard that the GM transmission with sealed for life lubrication needs to have fluid replacement every 60k although LR does not do this.
I'm waiting for some kind knowledgeable person to tell me how to do this.
Have safe trip!

I have been looking into one of these and I was told this too, what a load of tripe. In the 90's bmw and mercedes tried this sealed for life thing out and people wound up with screwed trannys. (can I say that?) So I cant for the life of me understand how LR thinks its a good idea to seal up a completely normal transmission which is no different from serviceable units.

Anyway there is a kit available to refit the bottom to a serviceable unit.

[Daniel]

I have been looking into one of these and I was told this too, what a load of tripe. In the 90's bmw and mercedes tried this sealed for life thing out and people wound up with screwed trannys. (can I say that?) So I cant for the life of me understand how LR thinks its a good idea to seal up a completely normal transmission which is no different from serviceable units.

Anyway there is a kit available to refit the bottom to a serviceable unit.

Thanks for that - don't know if one can blame LR - gearbox is GM and vehicle put together by BMW - I guess its the green (or should I say red) revolution - save on that nasty polluting oil but don't worry about all the inputs into manufacturing a new replacement transmission! I'll just have to put the truck up on a hoist and have a look for the drain & fill plugs.

[F4Phantom]

Thanks for that - don't know if one can blame LR - gearbox is GM and vehicle put together by BMW - I guess its the green (or should I say red) revolution - save on that nasty polluting oil but don't worry about all the inputs into manufacturing a new replacement transmission! I'll just have to put the truck up on a hoist and have a look for the drain & fill plugs.

there is no drain and fill plugs (according to LR specialist yesterday) thats the whole point, they are unservicable from the factory. The kit you get changes the bottom end to a servicable unit. Alot of the 6 speeds are now stuffed or much worse for wear than had they been serviced. a rebuild is roughly 6k, which is not to bad.

[101RRS]

I thought the gearbox problem in the L322 was not with the TD6 and its GM box but the V8s and their ZF???? box (is not the GM box).

[Daniel]

there is no drain and fill plugs (according to LR specialist yesterday) thats the whole point, they are unservicable from the factory. The kit you get changes the bottom end to a servicable unit. Alot of the 6 speeds are now stuffed or much worse for wear than had they been serviced. a rebuild is roughly 6k, which is not to bad.

Yes that's my understanding as well - a lot of confusion out there - the td6 has the GM box and is 5 speed, the petrol V8s have the ZF box with 6 speeds. The newer models (Ford onwards may be different again?)

However the GM box still has a sealed for life attitude imposed by the green (red) eco revolution in respect of forcing people to replace components rather than change oil which the eco-nazis didn't want. As I understand it this was mandated by the green party component of the previous social democrats ruling party in the German parliament.

We would be facing similar stupidity from Krudd if it wasn't for the resurgence of Abbott's team!

[F4Phantom]

Yes that's my understanding as well - a lot of confusion out there - the td6 has the GM box and is 5 speed, the petrol V8s have the ZF box with 6 speeds. The newer models (Ford onwards may be different again?)

However the GM box still has a sealed for life attitude imposed by the green (red) eco revolution in respect of forcing people to replace components rather than change oil which the eco-nazis didn't want. As I understand it this was mandated by the green party component of the previous social democrats ruling party in the German parliament.

We would be facing similar stupidity from Krudd if it wasn't for the resurgence of Abbott's team!

Well that makes more sense, I thought they really were selling this idea that the sludge box would last, now we see that they know it wont last but they did it regardless for the sake of oil changes.

However what I would like to know is total lifetime output. EG you change the ATF a few times and thats it on the one half of the equation, and that ATF gets recycled. On the other side you change metal parts, seals AND the ATF (assuming they dont put the old ATF back in on a rebuild) and then add up all the carbon output costs of mining the steel, transport and discarding old parts, then see which side hurts the planet more. I am very green myself but you need to be realistic.

[cairnsrover]

Anyway there is a kit available to refit the bottom to a serviceable unit.

Does anyone know where this can be bought and what sort of cost

[PAT303]

I had mine serviced and the oil and filter changed so it must be able to be done,it made an amazing difference too.Now if someone would tell me how to change the fan belt?. Pat

[Daniel]

I had mine serviced and the oil and filter changed so it must be able to be done,it made an amazing difference too.Now if someone would tell me how to change the fan belt?. Pat

Tranny service - if a mechanic can do it then so can I - just need some advice first.

Belt change - I got one in as a spare from Paddocks - surely it mustn't be that hard??
Usually it's just a matter of slackening off the tensioner, slipping the old one off and slipping the new one in - have you tried?

I haven't but know that there is a clip on top fan guard that probably needs to be removed first to give better access, as with all modern vehicle designs.

[Daniel]

Well that makes more sense, I thought they really were selling this idea that the sludge box would last, now we see that they know it wont last but they did it regardless for the sake of oil changes.

However what I would like to know is total lifetime output. EG you change the ATF a few times and thats it on the one half of the equation, and that ATF gets recycled. On the other side you change metal parts, seals AND the ATF (assuming they dont put the old ATF back in on a rebuild) and then add up all the carbon output costs of mining the steel, transport and discarding old parts, then see which side hurts the planet more. I am very green myself but you need to be realistic.

I likewise consider myself as truely green as they come but let's face reality as least some of the time!

Yes but that sort of thought/logic requires thinking further ahead than 12 months and reflecting upon history back more than 24 months - doesn't it?

It's very similar to so called "renewable energy" from photovoltaic solar panels - if one calculates the green house gasses and all the other pollutants and the energy used to make a panel and then properly calculates the life span energy production then one would not be calling those contraptions "renewable energy" however green politics works miracles in all sorts of ways these days.

[PAT303]

Tranny service - if a mechanic can do it then so can I - just need some advice first.

Belt change - I got one in as a spare from Paddocks - surely it mustn't be that hard??
Usually it's just a matter of slackening off the tensioner, slipping the old one off and slipping the new one in - have you tried?

I haven't but know that there is a clip on top fan guard that probably needs to be removed first to give better access, as with all modern vehicle designs.

Mate you do yours first and when I come over to Cessnock in a months time I'll pay you a visit and you can show me how to do it!!!!. Pat

[cairnsrover]

short update. Left Sydney Sunday lunchtime, arrived Cairns early Tuesday morning.
Amazing vehicle totally impressed very economical and eats up the kilometers with excellent ride.
Only thing that would have been good would have been a bullbar a lot of kangaroos north of Goondwindi.
but here you have another convert to Range Rovers !

[Daniel]

short update. Left Sydney Sunday lunchtime, arrived Cairns early Tuesday morning.
Amazing vehicle totally impressed very economical and eats up the kilometers with excellent ride.
Only thing that would have been good would have been a bullbar a lot of kangaroos north of Goondwindi.
but here you have another convert to Range Rovers !


Great news! - glad to hear that you enjoyed your armchair ride to Cairns.:)

I have the factory nudge bar on mine and we've had some small hits but nothing big head on, although we've had a couple big hits into the passenger door. It surprising how strong the bumper supports are behind the plastic facade.

[neil 90]

short update. Left Sydney Sunday lunchtime, arrived Cairns early Tuesday morning.
Amazing vehicle totally impressed very economical and eats up the kilometers with excellent ride.
Only thing that would have been good would have been a bullbar a lot of kangaroos north of Goondwindi.
but here you have another convert to Range Rovers !

glad you had a great trip, dont forget the pics... :D

[cairnsrover]

glad you had a great trip, dont forget the pics... :D
Sorry no photos travelling on my own so couldn't take any selfishly I have the memories !!

[F4Phantom]

I finally got around to driving one of these for the wifes new ferry. Was fairly impressed overall but I was not happy about the finish rubbing off (rubber, aluminum etc) along with warped rubber on the drivers door handle. The materials may be high quality on the showroom floor but they dont look good in 5 years. Lower priced cars dont have these issues. The plusses was the power for such a small 3L diesel although it was a bit loud. At 100kph it felt smooth, and over all they are good value when used. EG a 130k car looks the same as a 50k car.

I hope you enjoy your ownership I may get one at some stage.

[cairnsrover]

I finally got around to driving one of these for the wifes new ferry. Was fairly impressed overall but I was not happy about the finish rubbing off (rubber, aluminum etc) along with warped rubber on the drivers door handle. The materials may be high quality on the showroom floor but they dont look good in 5 years. Lower priced cars dont have these issues..

Yes agree with that.

The one I have just bought has been a soccer mums car never off road etc and only 43K but the chrome handle on the centre storage box has come off, the door handles are starting to fade and there is a bit of chipping on the grey plastic on the centre console.
The Hyundai Getz ex rental I had at one time was wearing better.

Crazy on the part of LR but then it is an English car ! I can say that as I was originally from the old country!

[neil 90]

Sorry no photos travelling on my own so couldn't take any selfishly I have the memories !!

no worries, but try and post some of yours anyway, allways good to see another rangie :)