Thread: Disco auto life expectancey

I had ours rebuilt at 250,000k, was having a look at the internals on it when it was apart (mates a trans builder), it was like new inside, no wear and tear, but we put new bits in anyway. Pulled it out due to the lock up in the converter giving up.

At 360,000 mine (300tdi) stopped dead 3hrs from home on the way back from Bendethera (fortunately got out there without issues). As it turned out the problem was stripped splines in the turbine of the torque converter, which I guess then is a "life" issue.
I stripped the box down anyway and fitted all new seals but mechanically there were no wear issues evident with all the friction discs etc OK.
Looking at high mileage car then I'd be checking the state of the ATF and maybe budgeting for a Torque converter recon ($280 and a 2day turnaround) - biggest issue is removal and replacement of box.

Ian

The car is very very cheap so there's scope for repairs if needed just so long as I know there not a time bomb like some of the other parts. What's the engine brakeing like in steep stuff in low range?

limited but reasonable with std size tyres.
But go 31 or above and it tends to run away where you dont want it to.

Mine needed a rebuild at 140k but this was due to excess heat when towing and sand driving etc. The ZF guy I spoke to reckoned heat is the biggest killer of these boxe's so all depends what sort of life the Car had and if it was used for towing.
Cheers
Mark

Regards engine braking - as Linds says, its reasonable. 1st gear low range was OK all through Bendethera but you do have to use the brakes a bit sometimes (gently), its a different technique to driving a manual. On cooling you'll find threads on here on fitting bigger coolers - I fitted a P38 cooler after having the transmission high temp light come on at Stockton and since then no problems.

Ian

The auto on my 300tdi has done 396 000 with no rebuild and yet I'd say a replacement or rebuild is around the corner as per another thread. Either way it is pretty darn good having done some towing through the Blue Mountains in that time.
IF you do get the vehicle, as others advised me when mine started playing up, change the filter in the auto and gradually swap out (dilute) the old ATF...seemed to have all but extended the life of my auto box.
As goes the low range down hill...it holds the vehicle back pretty well when locked in 1st- although I would say it is not as low as some land cruiser and a slightly slower low range 1st wouldn't be a bad thing. Also I've discovered the hard way the reverse is too fast and if you are on a steep hill, lose traction and need to abort, it can get a little difficult trusting the engine will hold you back rather than risk locking up on brakes.
Is the reverse in low range slightly higher speed than first low range? It sure feels like it is!

My Land rover specialist that I gleam info from reckons 350,000 km on average is what a well looked after and serviced automatic transmission should give you.