Changing auto fluid TD5

**Pinelli** · 29th June 2011, 10:20 AM

Ok, what gives. First auto fluid change I've done on the disco (and possibly the first at 160k

Got my 9.7L of fluid at the ready as per manual. Follow the instructions, only takes about 5L of the new stuff. To be fair, it only dropped 5 of the old. So have I just wasted my time here? Old stuff was pretty dark. Have I missed something?

The disco still drives fine. Took it for a short trip just now and heading into town this afternoon - about 25km round tripshould test it enough.

**Xtreme** · 29th June 2011, 11:13 AM

I think you have to drop the auto sump to do a complete auto oil change - good idea anyway to replace the filter while at it.

Not sure though if this also drains the oil from the cooling radiator as well - I'm sure others will advise soon.

**Pinelli** · 29th June 2011, 11:28 AM

Cheers.
While at it, I tried to replace the transfer case fluid and found the refill plug impossible to get at. It seems to be stuck behind the handbrake drum. Is this right? Is there a trick to getting a socket on it? Do I have to remove the handbrake cable first?

Sorry about the noob questions. I'm not a novice mechanic, but new to Land Rovers.

**OffTrack** · 29th June 2011, 11:37 AM

RAVE lists 9.7L as "fill from dry". There is no fluid capacity given for a refill. There is fluid retained in the gear box, torque convertor, hoses and oil cooler so you'll get substantially less out of the box when draining.

www.discovery2.co.uk / Automatic Gearbox Oil and Filter Change

cheers
Paul

**OffTrack** · 29th June 2011, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by Pinelli

Cheers.
While at it, I tried to replace the transfer case fluid and found the refill plug impossible to get at. It seems to be stuck behind the handbrake drum. Is this right? Is there a trick to getting a socket on it? Do I have to remove the handbrake cable first?

Sorry about the noob questions. I'm not a novice mechanic, but new to Land Rovers.

Bookmark Urban Panzers website NOW.
It is an invaluable reference for D2 maintenance.

www.discovery2.co.uk

or specifically

www.discovery2.co.uk / Transfer Box Oil change

Now because of where the fill plug is, you cannot get "straight" onto it with a half inch extension / ratchet, I used a small 1/2 " drive "wobble" extension, this allows you to get on the plug at an angle to undo it.

**Xtreme** · 29th June 2011, 12:28 PM

Re the transfer case filler - use a 1/2" extension bar to easily access it.

**Bundalene** · 29th June 2011, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by Pinelli

Cheers.
While at it, I tried to replace the transfer case fluid and found the refill plug impossible to get at. It seems to be stuck behind the handbrake drum. Is this right? Is there a trick to getting a socket on it? Do I have to remove the handbrake cable first?

Sorry about the noob questions. I'm not a novice mechanic, but new to Land Rovers.

Yes, another oversight by Land Rover IMHO. I use a wobble extension bar to undo the fill plug, You only need a little offset.

The site below should give you an idea on these if you are unfamiliar with them.

3/8" X 3 "Dr WOBBLE ENTENSION BAR 3620 | eBay

Erich

**Xtreme** · 29th June 2011, 01:10 PM

Erich's correct.
I was thinking of the Defender transfer - hope I didn't mislead you.

**Pinelli** · 29th June 2011, 02:32 PM

Thanks again, all. I did try a wobble bar, it still seemed awkward but if thtas what others have used I'll give it another bash.

Disco survived the trip to town, so I think it's survived my mechanicking for the moment

. Damn I love this car.

**Fluids** · 29th June 2011, 03:31 PM

For the transfer case I used a sliding T bar (1/2" drive). It fits in perfectly.

For the auto, being that it's impossible to fully drain it, I use the following logic.
(I only went to the 3rd drain/refill - Using Valvolene DX-3 ATF, so it didn't cost and arm & a leg ... If I was using Transmax Z it's be a different story).

10.2L in transmission
1st - Drain 4.5L & refill
Now 4.5L NEW fluid & 5.7L OLD fluid
44% new / 56% old

Changed the filter too (pan off)
Drove for 20km.
================================================== ======================================
2nd - Drain 4.5L
44% (2L) of fluid drained was new / 56% (2.5L) of fluid drained was old
Leaving 5.7L of fluid in the transmission of which
44% (2.5L) is NEW / 56% (3.2L) is OLD
2nd - Refill 4.5L
Now transmission is holding 2.5L of NEW fluid + 4.5L of NEW refill = 7L of NEW fluid
AND there is still 3.2L of old fluid left in the transmission.
68.7% NEW / 31.5% OLD

Drove for 500km
================================================== ======================================
3rd - Drain 4.5L
68.7% (3.1L) drained is NEW fluid / 31.5% (1.4L) is OLD fluid
Leaving 5.7L of fluid in the transmission of which
68.7% (3.9L) is NEW / 31.5% (1.8L) is OLD
3rd - Refill 4.5L
Now transmission is holding 3.9L of NEW fluid + 4.5L of NEW refill = 8.4L of NEW fluid
AND there is still 1.8L of old fluid left in the transmission.
82% NEW / 18% OLD

I stopped at this point. Used approx' 15L of trans' fluid.
================================================== ======================================
4th - Drain 4.5L
82% (3.7L) drained is NEW fluid / 18% (0.8L) is OLD fluid
Leaving 5.7L of fluid in the transmission of which
82% (4.7L) is NEW / 18% (1.0L) is OLD
3rd - Refill 4.5L
Now transmission is holding 4.7L of NEW fluid + 4.5L of NEW refill = 9.2L of NEW fluid
AND there is still 1.0L of old fluid left in the transmission.
90% NEW / 10% OLD
================================================== ======================================

To do the 4th drain/refill only gains another 10% new fluid over the 3rd drain/refill. Law of diminishing returns.

The oil was a bit brown & yuk at my 1st drain (120,000km), hence the good flush/drain/refill. Next service at 40,000k will be a single drain/refill using Transmax Z.

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