Thread: Surge in revs before gear change

How long since the last fluid change?

Flaring on shifts would indicate not enough line pressure or a worn out trans.

Fluid was changed about 25,000kms ago according to the service book, I have only owned the vehicle for the last 10,000kms.

I cracked the fill point on gearbox and dark red fluid seeped out, didnt have a noticeable burnt smell or anything.

I will change out the fluid and filter and see how that goes, any recommendations for AT Fluid? Happy to spend for quality but can't afford liquid gold

Hopefully not worn internally, it has just passed the 200,000km mark and I'm hoping its got plenty of life left in it yet!!

Look for fine metal particles on the magnet in the sump, can suggest wear. Does sound like the clutch pack to me though. Ask your local autotrans outfit what they think and what it will cost. If it is big dollars ,next contact ZF in sydney for a price on a swap over recon job, much less expensive than a rebuild at most auto shops but still big dollars.

If it is something like the clutch packs it may well be a couple of years before you are forced to do something about it. I think I drove another 20 000 before I did something and that was mostly so that I could feel it was not going to let me down rather than it actually going bang. Towing a van would be difficult but otherwise no big deal for quite some time. I changed the fluids a couple of times and this helped but did not eliminate it and in the end I went for an exchange unit. Had it changed over by an auto shop for me and they used synthetic ATF when it was filled.

A common fault with servics is the autos not being filled completely. Too little fluid. Not enough fluid in the box will do this. Not enough fluid will do other bad things too.