Auto Transmission Flush on High Milage Vehicle

[Screamingkiw]

Hi Guys,

Talked to a Rover guy the other day and they said there is a risk in changing the fluid on vehicles with high kms - mine has done 200km. He said that if it hasn't been changed there is a risk of dislodging debris that can clog things up.

What are people's thoughts on this? At 200km I think the risk of not changing the oil and filter is probably high as well?

Cheers

[loanrangie]

200K isn't what i would call high but yes there is a risk of making it worse or just not doing anything, i did mine at about 170k and it didn't help with my issues.The ZF box will be on the downhill slope unless its had regular fluid changes previously.

[woko]

What I've found is that the sealant on the separator plate starts to breakdown when oil is changed on high km transmissions and blocks the solenoids. Now I change the separator plate when doing the oil change. I usually install a zip kit also, while I have the metatronics apart as the accumulators will be worn out

[Discodicky]

Hi Guys,

Talked to a Rover guy the other day and they said there is a risk in changing the fluid on vehicles with high kms - mine has done 200km. He said that if it hasn't been changed there is a risk of dislodging debris that can clog things up.

What are people's thoughts on this? At 200km I think the risk of not changing the oil and filter is probably high as well?

Cheers

Yes, I recall about 5 yrs ago the local LR Dealer told me they experienced problems changing the oil when it was very old and not been changed regularly. It introduced some slippage.

If I were in your position I'd be inclined to take the risk and change it. There is a product called Dr. Tranny which many people on this Forum have used successfully.

I used in in my son's D3 which had a slightly slipping TC and it fixed it for some time. He sold the car about 30,000 klms later as he needed a Dual Cab ute, but the tranny was still functioning well.

FWIW I use Penrite BMV auto oil and have had excellent results for past 80,000 klms. Much cheaper than ZF oil.

[DiscoDB]

I would be getting advice from a ZF transmission specialist.

The advice you have been given is consistent with old school thinking with automatic transmissions - either change the fluid regularly or not at all but then be prepared to change out the transmission.

But transmissions and oils have improved a lot since then (and cost a lot more to rebuild or replace if you don’t look after them).

If you did go ahead (and I probably would), consider getting a double flush. And with the Penrite BMV oil sounding like a good viable alternative you could do a double flush now, then run it for another 10-20K, and repeat.

But first - see what a ZF specialist has to say.

[Gravy]

I purchased a D4 with no identified service history with 120K on the clock. Amongst a long list to address the lack of servicing I exchanged the auto transmission fluid and filter. I used components available on Fleabay and Penrite fluid. No problems were created doing this other than I had to over tension the pan fasteners to provide a leak free result.

There is a level of difficulty to remove and refit the pan fasteners, with some dexterity it is doable without removing the cross member.

I will admit I was naïve regarding possible damage to the transmission as a result of this action however the benefits I identified out weighed the possibilities of damage. My intent is to duplicate exchanging the fluid every 50K.

If you proceed ensure you comply with directions to fill the transmission to the correct level.

[Screamingkiw]

Yes, I recall about 5 yrs ago the local LR Dealer told me they experienced problems changing the oil when it was very old and not been changed regularly. It introduced some slippage.

If I were in your position I'd be inclined to take the risk and change it. There is a product called Dr. Tranny which many people on this Forum have used successfully.

I used in in my son's D3 which had a slightly slipping TC and it fixed it for some time. He sold the car about 30,000 klms later as he needed a Dual Cab ute, but the tranny was still functioning well.

FWIW I use Penrite BMV auto oil and have had excellent results for past 80,000 klms. Much cheaper than ZF oil.

Thanks for the info, I'll give Dr Tranny a go. It's Mardi Gra in Sydney tonight, I wonder if Dr Tranny will have a stall there?

[loanrangie]

Thanks for the info, I'll give Dr Tranny a go. It's Mardi Gra in Sydney tonight, I wonder if Dr Tranny will have a stall there?

Lots of trannies, doubt any are real doctors though [bigrolf]

If you dont have any shuddering then i wouldnt put in dr tranny in, i bought some but having 2nd thoughts about using it since my issues are elsewhere in the trans.

[josh.huber]

Hi Guys,

Talked to a Rover guy the other day and they said there is a risk in changing the fluid on vehicles with high kms - mine has done 200km. He said that if it hasn't been changed there is a risk of dislodging debris that can clog things up.

What are people's thoughts on this? At 200km I think the risk of not changing the oil and filter is probably high as well?

Cheers

I doubt it. I mean, autos don't generate allot of contaminants, worst case scenario would be another filter change earlier then expected. All you can clog up is the filter. Worse off. Don't change the oil.. You are guaranteed issues

[DiscoDB]

Dr Tranny is more of a Hail Mary - so wouldn’t use unless you are getting shuddering problems.

When you get to the point of needing Dr Tranny I guess that is when you start saving up for a rebuild.

And if you do spot Hail Mary and Dr Tranny in the parade tonight, tell them the Disco Fanboys send their love! [emoji3]

[101RRS]

So how does a fluid change dislodge contaminants etc that the normal operation of the gearbox would do anyway with fluid being pumped around at high pressure as the vehicle is being driven along.

Sorry not following the logic.

[DiscoDB]

So how does a fluid change dislodge contaminants etc that the normal operation of the gearbox would do anyway with fluid being pumped around at high pressure as the vehicle is being driven along.

Sorry not following the logic.

It really shouldn’t with modern gearboxes and fluids. It is very much old school thinking from a time when an auto would only last 200-300,000kms in the first place.

Of course if you don’t change the fluid in the first 200,000kms and then change and wonder why it failed very shortly afterwards you should be able to work out what the real problem is.

[Davetd5]

So how does a fluid change dislodge contaminants etc that the normal operation of the gearbox would do anyway with fluid being pumped around at high pressure as the vehicle is being driven along.

Sorry not following the logic.


The old school logic in my time in the trade was that ATF (Dexron at the time) has detergent properties, and so if you put new ATF in a worn old tranny in a Valiant or Falcon etc then the crud holding the seals in place would be dissolved and 1) cause the clutches to slip or 2) block up the oil galleries in the valve body. In any case, a trans in this condition is on its last legs either way.

[Lazza]

My experience:
I purchased our D4 at approx 170k. Couldn’t find any transmission related work in the service history. I got the transmission fluid and filter changed at 180k. Up to 250k now - so far OK. We tow 2t camper for leisure, and also use the D4 as a daily driver to get to work and back.