D3 Transmission Service - Necessary?

[Leecewah]

G'day,

Got some good advice recently to take my D3 to Rovertech in Perth for the next service, called them today to book it in and they recommended that i get the transmission serviced noting it has done more than 80K kms, first I have heard of this requirement and it is around $1100 to do. I was told that if not done the transmission would not last beyond 160K ks. Does anyone know anything about this? Was taking the car to Rovertech as they are reported to be cheaper than Southern Land Rover...nasty shock to hear about the transmission servicing. Any info would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Chris

[unseenone]

The transmission fluid is rated for about 60k miles, per ZF. It would be good preventative maintenance to service it. I assume by service it, they mean change the pan/filter and fluid.

[justinc]

i actually recommend servicing these transmissions at 60,000km if towing lots, and after the first service the oil pan doesn't require replacement again, just oil, filter and pan gasket.

the price you were quoted is about right.

jc

[BobD]

Rovertech usually uses Transmissions R Us in Balcatta to do the transmission service. You can save a bit by taking it there yourself. They did my D4 at about 90,000km and they just did the 50,000km oil change that both Rovertech and Transmissions R Us recommend after the initial service and steel pan installation.


I think that the consensus of opinion on the forum is that the transmission should be serviced as Kevin has suggested to you, although a few people disagree.




Bob

[jonesy63]

There are now tens of thousands of these gearboxes out there - in Falcon taxis, etc. If you can find a large, competent auto transmission shop - you may find a much better price. For example, there is a large auto shop close to my home - has about 8 hoists!) and they quoted me $695 to replace ATF and install a new steel pan and filter. $1100 to $1300 sounds like LR labour rates to me! :o

[holsd90]

Had mine done first time in my RRS in Joondalup recently - $800

[alpick]

Do it! Do it Now!

[Rich84]

$600 to do myself, flushed with 12L ZF Lifeguard 6.


Definitely something you will want to do.

[gasman]

Your being screwed my friend and whilst it is a necessity, find another shop.
It should be around $600 for the service or at least that is what I paid in Sydney.
Tell them the mining boom is over.

[Tote]

i actually recommend servicing these transmissions at 60,000km if towing lots, and after the first service the oil pan doesn't require replacement again, just oil, filter and pan gasket.

the price you were quoted is about right.

jc

+1 a transmission service is cheaper than a new transmission by about $5500.00

Regards,
Tote

[BobD]

Your being screwed my friend and whilst it is a necessity, find another shop.
It should be around $600 for the service or at least that is what I paid in Sydney.
Tell them the mining boom is over.

Regardless of the mining boom this is not Sydney and prices are much higher here than you have quoted. There's no way you will get a full flush (not a partial flush) plus a steel pan for $600 in WA.


Bob

[Fatso]

Regardless of the mining boom this is not Sydney and prices are much higher here than you have quoted. There's no way you will get a full flush (not a partial flush) plus a steel pan for $600 in WA.


Bob

I sorta doubt you will get the metal pan at approx. $400 + all the fluid at around $38 a ltr + labour at around $110 an hour to do the job for $600 in Sydney either .

[discotwinturbo]

I sorta doubt you will get the metal pan at approx. $400 + all the fluid at around $38 a ltr + labour at around $110 an hour to do the job for $600 in Sydney either .

Have to agree with that.
It's like some peoples fuel economy.....some quotes seem far too low to be possible.
Brett....

[101RRS]

Have to agree with that.
It's like some peoples fuel economy.....some quotes seem far too low to be possible.
Brett....

I suspect what they are getting in addition to the metal pan (less than $300 from ZF) is just a basic oil change not the full monty.

Basic change - drain through the sump plug and then refill through the filler (about 4 litres) vs a complete flush and change (12-16litres) there is a big difference in price even at a best price of $30 a litre and a usual dealer price of up to $90 a litre.

I am doing mine soon and will do it myself - expecting to pay $280 for the pan and about $550 for 20l of atf - hopefull will only use about 12-13litres and use the rest for basic changes at regular intervals.

Garry

Garry

[Grappler]

$600 to do myself, flushed with 12L ZF Lifeguard 6.


Definitely something you will want to do.

Where did you source the kit and oil to do the job? Was a mechatronic connector included?

Ive read elswhere the connector is prone to leaking and should be changed out when the pan is off

[Fatso]

G'day,

Got some good advice recently to take my D3 to Rovertech in Perth for the next service, called them today to book it in and they recommended that i get the transmission serviced noting it has done more than 80K kms, first I have heard of this requirement and it is around $1100 to do. I was told that if not done the transmission would not last beyond 160K ks. Does anyone know anything about this? Was taking the car to Rovertech as they are reported to be cheaper than Southern Land Rover...nasty shock to hear about the transmission servicing. Any info would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Chris

I had mine done at Transmitions r us at Balcatta at 135000k , he has a good system to full flush the trans , plus fit the new metal pan & filter and knows landrovers . When mine was done the trans oil was reasonably clear and no metal or crap In the plastic pan that came off after normal driving not towing or bush bashing etc . $1100 sounds fairly accurate , don't get into a panic about this just just research and do in own time.

[josh.huber]

Just had my d4 done at 80k at land rover spares in mackay, cost me $1200, got a flush a new genuine steel pan and filter, they kept a sample of the old oil and she definatly needed changing I bought the car with 70k on it and no idea of what they did before me, I worked on buses that did high milages with ZF trans in them, we always serviced them and they never give an ounce of trouble, Grahame did warn me that people are getting steel pans put on their cars but when he goes to service them they don't even have a drain hole so you probably wanna go genuine ZF, after that you can service it yourself

[discotwinturbo]

I visited a new client tonight, and he is a mechanical lecturer and deals with ZF transmissions.
I told him about my Touareg and a Disco both having 6 speed ZF's and the sealed for life attitude of the manufacturers.
He told me that ZF official line is 60k service.....no longer. ZF will not warrant any of their transmissions if this is not strictly adhered to by the manufacturers.
Manufacturers are prepared for loses purely to make their cars look more economical to maintain for sale purposes. Makes sense I suppose as cars have a short life span these days.

Brett....l

[Diverre]

I umd & ard for a while but finally bit the bullet and got the transmission done. I picked up my D3 V8 7 months ago with 104000 on the clock. Having read all that there is on both this site and disco3.co.uk I decided just having piece of mind was enough to get it done. I got quotes from ZF in Sydney for the complete metal pan $326 and 20l of lifeguard 6 $510 plus about 20 bucks delivery to Qld. So ended up taking it to my local trusty Indy ( mr automotive) and they let me watch all done for $880. So my reckoning is I lost out on having 10 litres of Lg6 for the same job. I am not completely sure of history but oil was not too bad at all and no real obvious difference in the drive but as I say it was piece if mind. It also confirmed that no additive had been added in the past so fairly happy all round. Point to note was the V8 has a little more protection on the underside and one bolt for that protection is too long to get out without moving the drive shaft. Fortunately for me someone had been there before and cut that bolt short??? Maybe the previous owner did an oil change without bothering to do the metal sump pan?:confused:

[Grappler]

What gasket sealant is recommened for the fibre gasket on metal pan?

I changed mine recently and there is a small but annoying leak from the gasket. I used Permatex aviation sealant because I didnt want silicon RTV inside the hydraulics. The sealing face was unmarked and the gasket went in and lined up properly

Ive checked and retorqued the shorter torx screws that came with the kit to 10Nm. 3 times now. They nipped up a little each time and the leak has got less.

Anyone had a similar experience.

Also does anyone know the size of the o ring under the level/fill plug?
This is not leaking but will need replacing next time its out

[justinc]

I have gone to not using sealant. Had a few leak slightly, and the loctite stuff I was recommended to use caused the gasket to actually split slightly. I fit them dry now and not had an issue since.

JC

[josh.huber]

I use multi purpose grease on all my gaskets just a smear to hold them up seems to work

[Grappler]

I have now re-torqued the screws for the fourth time and the leak has stopped.:D
The gasket must compress and take the tension off the fasteners. Anyway good news but will keep an eye on it.

I was getting to the point where it looked like I would dump the oil :mad:and start again

[josh.huber]

Torque wrenches are for pros trust your wrist and you will be leak free ;-)

[Grappler]

I think you are right Josh

I think the trick is to over torque the screws from the get go
Otherwise, like me, you will retorque them 4 times to get a seal.
The ones up front cant be accessed with a tq wrench anyway as they are blocked by the front chassis spreader

Anyway all's well that ends well. She took the sport for a long run today and still no drips:)

[vbrab]

Have serviced my D3 trans a few times (and a couple of friends trans).
Have always coated sealing surface of pan, and both sides of gasket with Hylomar.I use brush on (more control of where it lands) , but they also make spray on.
Let it dry/tack off and then just bolt it on, and do it up tightish, and you may have to re-tighten later as well, but it will seal with Hylomar.
You can do a couple of coats on the upper surface of the gasket (as the bottom side will have 2 coats if you have already coated the pan) to make sure you get a good seal.
Have found MOTOSPECS (do a web search as not sure I'm allowed to put up a link) to be best no fuss supplier/good price of pan kits and fluid.
Hope this helps.

[Bluepippa]

Your being screwed my friend and whilst it is a necessity, find another shop.

It should be around $600 for the service or at least that is what I paid in Sydney.

Tell them the mining boom is over.


Where in Sydney did you take it?
Thanks

[alpick]

PM sent

[Grappler]

[Have found MOTOSPECS (do a web search as not sure I'm allowed to put up a link) to be best no fuss supplier/good price of pan kits and fluid.
]

Yes, Motospecs is where I got genuine conversion pan kit, mechatronics connector sleeve and oil.
Good to deal with but phone first as they are a warehouse.

[Grappler]

Found this handy guide, for servicing ZF ATs

The reference to torque sequence is good value. Note the higher tq for metal pan




http://www.thectsc.com/images/pdf/thectsc_mechatronic_replacement.pdf

[snapperhead]

$600 to do myself, flushed with 12L ZF Lifeguard 6.


Definitely something you will want to do.

Is it difficult to do yourself?

Belay that, just realised there was more than 1 page to the thread :)