Auto oil alert

[Wasa57]

I was surprised to see how grotty my filter
and magnet ferrous crap-catcher was during a recent auto box service (at 265000K). There have been no issues, I just felt it was time to have a gander at the state of the oil, just as well. The oil wasn't as fresh as a daisy either!
It was last changed at 200000K, but only one flush (instead of two.)
So at the moment 25% of the oil installed at manufacture is still floating around in there! (12 years later.) Not good.

I will be doing another flush, without filter, next week, will be interesting to see what the oil looks like.

Maybe we should be changing our auto box oil and filters more regularly?
It's relatively cheap preventative maintainance.

[Chilly]

Hi,
Just changed my oil and filter at 223000. First known change. Magnet looked good. Filter dirty as to be expected.
Will do second oil change next week.
Gearbox seems smoother and changes better.....pretty happy.

I used Castrol Tramsmax Z.

[infrno]

I've just had to shell out for a changeover motor and I'm dealing with front drive shaft issues as well, the trans is my next thing on the to sort list. Want to get it serviced and checked before I'm replacing that as well....

[OffTrack]

Absolutely. The most recent LR service schedule (2006) indicates that if you are using an D2 in arduous service conditions you should change the transmission fluid every 20,000km. The standard interval is 40,000km between fluid changes.

For the transmission arduous service conditions are:

- Extended period of driving in hot conditions above 35ºC
- Driving on rough and/or muddy roads and/or wading
- Towing a trailer or driving in mountainous conditions

Seeing most people apply the arduous service schedule to engine oil changes, it seems sensible to do the same for the transmission.

cheers
Paul

[Wasa57]

Absolutely. The most recent LR service schedule (2006) indicates that if you are using an D2 in arduous service conditions you should change the transmission fluid every 20,000km. The standard interval is 40,000km between fluid changes.

For the transmission arduous service conditions are:

- Extended period of driving in hot conditions above 35ºC
- Driving on rough and/or muddy roads and/or wading
- Towing a trailer or driving in mountainous conditions

Seeing most people apply the arduous service schedule to engine oil changes, it seems sensible to do the same for the transmission.

cheers
Paul



Those short intervals for changing trans oil are an eye-opener for me, and I suspect others on here. My driving conditions score 2 out of the 3
criteria you have listed.
Yet another reason to visit this site regularly as a D2 owner, thanks.

[OffTrack]

Those short intervals for changing trans oil are an eye-opener for me, and I suspect others on here. My driving conditions score 2 out of the 3
criteria you have listed.
Yet another reason to visit this site regularly as a D2 owner, thanks.

I'd recently had my auto serviced by a local auto trans specialist and the parting words were "see you in a couple of years" so it seems even the experts basically expect 40,000km/2 year intervals.

I guess if you were doing straight tarmac driving in a cool climate there would be little reason to change from 40,000km intervals. But I'd think most Australian owners (or AULRO members at least) could tick off at least one or two of the arduous service conditions for the 20,000km intervals.

cheers
Paul

[infrno]

Every 20,000 - 40,000.... wow. More work to do.

I'm loving these forums, the things you learn ahead of time hopefully before things go epically wrong is extremely valuable.

[Fluids]

Hi Paul.

I'd tick off one box for me, maybe two. Items 1 & 2. I have encountered item 3, but infrequently. I always attempt to run the box with the TC locked .... so I'll select 3rd and let it lock, rather than stay in 4th with the TC doing it's heating routine. I'll speed up to get TC lock then drop back to the speed limit where possible. 3rd locked at 60 is nicer to the auto than 4th generating heat.

At 120k I did a filter, and drained/filled the auto about 4 times over 500km. Just used Valvoline DX-3 ATF. For the last 40k it has run like clockwork. It was much nicer to drive than prior to the fluid change. The fluid drained wasn't burnt, but it was a yucky brown .... :(

At 160k I did the next service. No filter, just drained & refilled (with Transmax Z & Nulon ATF treatment). The oil that was drained was almost the same colour as when it went in .... so for 40k of mixed driving (and having some mechanical sympathy for the auto) I think the distance between changes is OK ... if it was constant heavy towing, then maybe 20k, but using a better ATF (like Transmax Z) should negate shorter changes .... Trans' Z is rated at 100k changes :eek: .... not in my ZF :p

... I'll still go 40k using Z .... then see how that lot looks at the next oil (& filter) change ... at 200k.

... AND it drives/changes soooo much nicer with Transmax Z than the Valvoline DX-3 :)

[rover-56]

Hmmm...
I had to fit a reco auto last year at 230000km.
That is despite regular 40000k oil + filter changes and sympathetic driving.
PO did the same at 90000km, but he towed a van.
Local Rover specialist says he does TD5's regularly, 5 cyl vibrations apparently destroy something in the torque converter and the bits get circulated thruout the auto, says the same trans behind a V8 lasts heaps longer.
Guess the diesel fuel savings go into auto replacements.:mad:
Cheers,
Terry

[twr7cx]

Local Rover specialist says he does TD5's regularly, 5 cyl vibrations apparently destroy something in the torque converter and the bits get circulated thruout the auto, says the same trans behind a V8 lasts heaps longer.
Guess the diesel fuel savings go into auto replacements.:mad:

V8's have a different larger torque converter. Perhaps this is also a reason for their better reliability?

[rick130]

[snip]
I used Castrol Tramsmax Z.


Hi Paul.


[snip]
but using a better ATF (like Transmax Z) should negate shorter changes .... Trans' Z is rated at 100k changes :eek: .... not in my ZF :p

... I'll still go 40k using Z .... then see how that lot looks at the next oil (& filter) change ... at 200k.

... AND it drives/changes soooo much nicer with Transmax Z than the Valvoline DX-3 :)

One of the all time great ATF's, and it's on the ZF approval list ;)

[jwb]

Anyone got any experience with the Penrite full synth product?

thanks

[Fluids]

He's since departed these parts, but Tombie used/uses it I believe.

Try a search filtering by user name Tombie ... you might get lucky.

[BIG O]

Wow,, cant believe some leave them go sooo long. Every year oil, every second year oil and filter. An auto box is an auto box,, holden, ford, toyota, landrover, they all needregular service, especially in australia.

BIG O
2003 D2 Td5 Auto
1999 D2 Td5 Auto ACE

[Wasa57]

Just finished 2nd flush of auto box, drained fluid much cleaner.
Don't put it off as I did!
"I feel better now!"

-Wasa57