Auto box: "How long, Doc?"

[Wasa57]

2005 tdv6 auto @ 250,000km:

* Slight slippage (about half a second) when going into 4th gear only when cold, no shuddering.

* When overtaking, hard acceleration, speed 120km/hr+, box goes from 6th to 5th gear, "transmission fault" registers, all back to normal with next ignition cycle.

* Otherwise box is smooth and quiet, when it warms up the slippage is not apparent.

Is this the dreaded "beginning of the end" for the box? Should I start budgeting 8 grand for a reco now?

I have done X4 gearbox flushes since ownership in last 20,000km, and fitted the steel pan and new filter recently. The slippage was evident since I took delivery, perhaps it is more noticeable now. The oil at first drainage was not burnt or smelly, and did not feel gritty.

I can live with the problem as it is, just want to know if others have had similar experiences, and how it ended for them.

To sum up: "How long have I got, Doc?"

-Wasa

[rar110]

If it's just the tranny it won't be $8k.

ZF Sydney do a full rebuild for $4400 + removal and refit of about $1k.

[Disco-tastic]

I would also suggest adding some Dr Tranny to the oil. It seems to have worked for others here and on the UK forums.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/171728-dr-tranny-auto-shudder-fix.html

A quick google search and you will see places to buy online. Not sure who sells it in Oz.

Cheers

Dan

[gandalf]

DR Tranny available from BURSONS auto parts
Used it in my Transmission, it did improve the shudder, but its still there although seems to be mainly when cold. I wonder if it might be low oil level ?

Les

[Wasa57]

Thanks all, I have consulted Dr Tranny, and filled my script for X2 tubes (from US.)

I will also check the fluid level at the same time. I recently done the steel pan and new filter concersion, and used LG6 (read: Liquid Gold Six Hundreds!!)

The problem is brief smooth slippage, not shudder, ie the engine revs up without corresponding traction, but only for about half a second, and only when going from 3rd to 4th when cold.

However I will obey the good Doctors orders in the belief that the medicine is safe to administer.

I will post feedback in a few weeks.

-Wasa

[DiscoDB]

Given the unknowns before you bought, 250k life is probably reasonable. From what I have read (and yes done plenty of reading up on this auto given I now have it in 2 cars), Dr Tranny is good for sorting the shudder problem. Yours though sounds more like a mechanical valve block or solenoid issue.

So yes, hope for the best, but plan for the worse.

[Wasa57]

Thanks Disco DB. Your reply, in part, should become standard advice for all Landrover owners and potential buyers:

"So yes, hope for the best, but plan for the worse.[/QUOTE]":D

Thanks for your advice on solenoids / valves also.

Cheers, Wasa.