Thread: Gearbox stuffing up

Get a filter then pull your old one apart see how much crap is trapped in the screen, if oil is dark in colour and smells burnt clutch packs are slipping, you are at the kms that point towards a reco.

You're lucky that you have some real ZF geeks near you. I'd just take it in to A&B

There is no governor on these boxes, but you can still get the same effect I guess.
I say this on every gearbox thread, but....

1/ Check all of your cooling hoses - even virtually unnoticeable leaks can make a difference to the pressure generated and, if you start to think of the auto box as a hydraulic system, getting any air drawn in can cause issues.
Passenger side swage is common issue, give that bugger a heap of abuse and see if you can twist it or anything.
2/ Oil level - check it first, engine running and after shifting through gears should have a bit running out of fill hole on level ground.

If these don't work then I'd suggest you do the change, but pull the cooler and clean it internally as best you can. New nice fluid may cause any gash in here to get dislodged and actually make your life worse (Ashcroft mention that unserviced boxes tend to go totally after an oil change).
If you are game you can also use the cooler return line off the box or cooler end and clean the remainder of the 9L (about 5L) from the torque converter in one go. You have it off and run for a few moments, get a litre or so. Stop, refill sump, repeat until it comes out clean.
It's a two person job though, I can't imagine being able to put the container somewhere and start/stop engine.