Gearbox oil change / steel pan or not?

[SimmAus]

Hi all

D4 is on 50k and I've decided to change the gearbox oil, and all the others, before a long trip.

Mechanic has said that its not necessary to change to the steel pan...I understand the steel pan is better from a protection / future oil change (if you get the one with the plug) position...but is there any other reason I'm missing?

Cheers

[Plane Fixer]

The plastic pan has the filter integral to the pan and is a major job to remove and refit the plastic one, due a large crossmember.
The people who did mine cut the pan in half and then removed the filter. They then put a new separate filter in and slid the new pan and gasket in under the crossmember so it will be cheaper and easier next time.

[SimmAus]

The plastic pan has the filter integral to the pan and is a major job to remove and refit the plastic one, due a large crossmember. The people who did mine cut the pan in half and then removed the filter. They then put a new separate filter in and slid the new pan and gasket in under the crossmember so it will be cheaper and easier next time.

So, the pan gets changed to allow an easier replacement of the filter, that's understandable. Mechanic did say that if filter needs replacing then the gearbox has bigger issues. Seems weird to change oil and not filter ?

[Wasa57]

Have just ordered a steel pan myself.
It is the BMW type with fill & drain plug (be aware some types of metal pans do not have the drain plug,) genuine ZF filter and gasket. Also ordered the mechatronic plug because my D3 is getting close to 240K.

-Wasa

[DiscoDB]

So, the pan gets changed to allow an easier replacement of the filter, that's understandable. Mechanic did say that if filter needs replacing then the gearbox has bigger issues. Seems weird to change oil and not filter ?

If the mechanic does not want to do the preventative maintenance you want and will pay for, then I think you have a bigger problem. There are still plenty out there who don't accept that the Auto should be serviced.

[Ean Austral]

So, the pan gets changed to allow an easier replacement of the filter, that's understandable. Mechanic did say that if filter needs replacing then the gearbox has bigger issues. Seems weird to change oil and not filter ?


Does your mechanic have the same opinion of the engine oil filter ?


The whole idea of this is that people have realised that the transmissions are NOT sealed for life as once believed. So with the removable steel pan allows the filter to be changed and the pan re-used, the original is a 1 piece moulded pan that has the filter as part of it.


I am about to change my oil for the 2nd time with the car just clocking over 125,000ks, my first change was at 72,000ks and the oil was the colour of a bottle of coke , the new oil is the colour of cooking oil.


I wouldn't risk the box for the sake of a few hundred bucks extra which is about what it would cost for a filter and the labour to replace it.




Cheers Ean

[rwlse]

Gooday all.
I'm not new to this site but I haven't done many posts.
Now retired I have more time.
It is important to have a sump with a drain plug,as the oil gets very hot and oxidizes (goes black like Coke) it also breaks down the chemical pack that does the lubrication.
I had the oil change at 50,000 kls and the lab report was not good.and the oil was yukkk !!same with the oils in the diffs and transfer case.
There is a new DX6 grade oil available that meets the ZF standard if not exceeds it ,and is available from most Lube blenders.And not so expensive. I think is a better product than the original ZF spec.
Last year we did the west coast with our 3 ton caravan,and clocked 18,000 kls on the trip,using the DX 6 product .
I had the oil change when we got home and to my surprise it was still in a reasonable good condition colour wise.
Richard

[winaje]

...Mechanic did say that if filter needs replacing then the gearbox has bigger issues. Seems weird to change oil and not filter ?

I'd be changing mechanic FIRST, then putting the steel pan on.

[Stuart02]

What kind of money has it been costing folks to do the whole transmission flush, metal pan install process?

I've just acquired a 2010 RRS TDV8 with 175000km, and am keen to give it some love, but one independent said it could cost in the order of $1300???

[AnD3rew]

Mine cost roughly $1200 for the flush, change and new steel pan and filter.

As others have said for the extra couple of hundred bucks I wouldn't even consider putting the plastic pan back on.

[rwlse]

Mine cost $500.00 at MR . in Redcliffe. and I supplied the lubricant.The lubricant is a lot cheaper these days as you can now use the upgraded Dexron 6 that supersedes the original ZF spec.
If you are towing or want a good life out of your gearbox it is imperative that you change the transmission regularly every 50,000 kls seems to be the norm.
At the time I changed mine,I also did the diffs and transfer box, and they were badly oxidised and showed up very average in the lab tests.
Richard.
2010 D4 with jewelry.

[Stuart02]

MR are awesome, wish I still lived in Brisbane to be able to use them.

[eddy]

Changed the D4 auto pan at 90K kms using one of these kits Genuine ZF6HP26 Range Land Rover Automatic 6 Speed Steel Sump Conversion KIT | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Genuine-ZF6HP26-Range-Land-Rover-Automatic-6-Speed-Steel-Sump-Conversion-Kit-/141233715934) oil was slightly darker than the new ZF Lifeguard6 [only done light towing]Front diff oil was like new,transfer slightly darker,but the 'E' diff definitely off colour[black]
Recommend doing the lot whilst the vehicle is up on the hoist.

[Wasa57]

rwise :

"The lubricant is a lot cheaper these days as you can now use the upgraded Dexron 6 that supersedes the original ZF spec."

Which brand of Dexron 6 do you use / recommend, and how much cheaper is it than Lifeguard 6?

Thanks,
Wasa

[Tombie]

Dexron 6 is NOT suitable for ZF transmissions...
The additive package for lifegard 6 is not available to ANY other oil blender and as such reputable brands are not offering a fluid rated as suitable.

At one stage - back in 2010 Penrite had a compatible fluid (SIN ATF) but the additive supplier withdrew their product and no one can purchase it now.

[rwlse]

Hi Wasa.
I live in Brisbane and use a local product called
Prolube Autosyn 6. It is a fully synthetic group 3 product that meets the latest DX6 spec.Most of the major oil companies now have this product in stock.
Shell originally had the license to produce this product exclusively for ZF, but the license has now run out,and the latest dx6 supersedes the ZF requirement.
And yes Penrite did produce a product that was supposed to meet the spec,but that was 5 years or more ago.Today things are different.
I,m not sure of the price but compared to the ZF branded product it will be cheaper

[Tombie]

I'm really apprehensive on this...
Here is the Prolube
93579

And the Penrite Specified equivalent
93580

Note the warning:
93581


If there is a genuine 100% equivalent then that's fantastic.

However multiple searches and contact with a few manufacturers has had only negative responses.

This may be the turning point!

[Nomad9]

Hi Simm Aus,
Steel pan is the way to go, not sure why people knowing what is widely known now would still consider the plastic option. You can get kits of Ebay at a reasonable cost, I got mine for $260 with the plug. My advice to you would be to stick with the Lifeguard 6 oil as per original. I have been tempted to change however then it comes down to how good the flush is, did you get all the old oil out and how much oil do you waste doing the flush, it isn't cheap.
The TDV6 is easier to do than the petrol V6, Diesel engine exhaust goes over the gearbox, petrol goes under. My opinion having done both.

[Wasa57]

Just purchased steel pan conversion, BMW type with drain genuine ZF (replaceable) filter and gasket, and mechatronic plug off ebay, and 20L Lifeguard 6 ATF from local Repco.

Total costs including delivery, and Repco discount, about 1 grand.

It would seem that some of the dealer / independent service prices quoted hereabouts are quite reasonable!

Now I will sleep a little more soundly when camped out the back of beyond.

-Wasa

[xoph44]

Had mine converted to a steel pan and fluid replaced by Damian and the guys at Peninsula Rangie for around $800. Shudder gone, performing fine after 20K, vehicle at 208K, still grinnin' :)
-Chris

[vbrab]

Have found Motospecs (do net search for local branch) to be easiest and reasonable price one stop shop for Lifeguard 6 and steel pan/filter kits.
Imparts automotive (do web search) also have BMW steel pan (same) at good price. 20L drum seems best price option for fluid buy.
What you don't use of a 20L drum of fluid (after bit of a flush) will be used next service, but keep lid on tight.
And Toyota gasket sealant is voted best option to prevent leaks on sump (not cheap, but it works).

[DiscoClax]

For what it's worth, Nulon Australia claim their fully-synthetic ATF is compatible with the ZF 6HP26 and they reference the ZF equivalent spec (Lifeguard 6).

Refer - ZF Lifeguard Fluid 6 *# - Nulon Products Australia (http://www.nulon.com.au/support/specifications-list/198/)

A mate of mine flushed and refilled his FG Falcon (same trans) with this oil and has put quite a few miles on it now without any issues. But that's hardly an endorsement, just that the trans didn't go strange after getting this oil.