Thread: ZF 6HP26 Maintenance

No, this is not a urine test gone wrong!

I took the D4 in for a service at Graeme Cooper Automotive and asked to have the transmission fluid changed. He pulled these samples out to show me the condition of the fluid he had collected from another vehicle. The sample on the right shows the condition of the oil after 65K km and, of course, new fluid is on the left. Stuart said the sample he got was not the dirtiest as he didn't get the initial oil that flowed out as he was not prepared with containers on hand.

If any one is in any doubt as to whether or not they should have this service performed then, hopefully, this will help you to make up your mind.

By the way, GCA recommend changing the fluid every 50K km.

Brilliant. Thanks for posting.

I have often pondered this 'lifetime' stuff and what it means for the 'ordinary' driver of vehicles using these sealed systems.

I tended to agree that the claims from car dealers and oil companies of the oils/fluids actually lasting the lifetime distance were true but that it is the contaminants derived from internal mechanical wear which causes the expensive failures.

Originally Posted by Grumbles

I have often pondered this 'lifetime' stuff and what it means for the 'ordinary' driver of vehicles using these sealed systems.

While the oil change interval is a long time - it has never been claimed it is sealed for life - is an urban myth.

In normal use the Landrover service interval is 240,000km/10 years and when used for towing or offroad use - much less. Now this is still way too long but it not sealed for life.

ZF, the gearbox maker claim 90,000km in normal use and half that for arduous use.

On changing the oil - the gearbox temp need to be between 35 and 50 degrees. When putting the new oil in, how are people heating it to get it at the required temp - in the missus' oven to heat it up??

Obviously if outside temp is above 35 then not an issue.

Garry

I changed my pan and oil at 96000 1st time, the oil that came out was no different to that that went in appearance wise, both honey brown.
The vehicle lived in the mountains behind Brisbane and towed a 2 horse float every other weekend, I understand not very far 20 odd klms from home and back.
The transmission is definitely not as smooth as before and changes differently, used oil supplied by ZF.

Interestingly the top auto shop here warned me not to change the oil until they had taken a sample and had it tested, most did not need a change this side off 240000, but they always tested the oil first. Most problems start after an oil change.
L/R dealer and the specialist LR shop up here both said change it at 100000 if towing.
Personally I would not change it if I had the choice again but would get it tested and be guided by that.

DD

Glynhouse - I did my own oil change - basically a small amount more went in than what came out. I used the Ford ZF fluid which was cheaper than getting it through LR. It's the same stuff. I noticed the shifts were smoother, some of the TCC lockup shudder has gone. I also noticed though that on the whole, the box seems a tad noisier. I notice the TC turbine seems noisier too. I also notice a small amount of vibration at idle, but I'm bit OCD with my cars so I'm not sure how much is down to just paranoia.

It's interesting that your tech said that many problems start after an oil change. I'd be interested to hear what he has to say about it.

My fluid was quite dark. Not black, but much darker than the new fluid. Compare the photos above.

An update on my service today....

Stuart at GCA said that the fluid in mine did not need changing having checked its condition. My D4 has now done 80K km.

Bought my 2007 RRS last may with 128000k on the clock & not sure if it did any towing or not , after reading so many posts re ZF trans i decided to service the trans for peace of mind so fitted metal pan etc and a full flush oil change , the trans runs just the same now as it did before with no problems other than a growl noise at approx 80kmh on excelerating up which was there originaly . The oil that came out was just a shade darker than the new sample above and the filter was relatively clean , if i had my time over i would not have worried with the oil change etc . What i should have done was drain a sample out to check it ( oh for a dipstick ) if clean carry on if black change it ,also would not worry about the metal pan either . Just my thoughts, Al.

Originally Posted by garrycol

While the oil change interval is a long time - it has never been claimed it is sealed for life - is an urban myth.

In normal use the Landrover service interval is 240,000km/10 years and when used for towing or offroad use - much less. Now this is still way too long but it not sealed for life.

ZF, the gearbox maker claim 90,000km in normal use and half that for arduous use.

On changing the oil - the gearbox temp need to be between 35 and 50 degrees. When putting the new oil in, how are people heating it to get it at the required temp - in the missus' oven to heat it up??

Obviously if outside temp is above 35 then not an issue.

Garry

Gday Garry,

Interesting, as the way I read the oil top-up proceedure was to fill the sump till it just started to come out the fill plug , then start the car select each gear, and using a reader of some sort let the oil heat up to a temp between 35-50 degrees. Then top up until the oil just trickles out the fill plug. Not have the oil at that temp prior to putting into the gearbox.

Mine was as black as at 79,000ks(from memory) and I changed it again 1000ks later (still very dark) then 1000ks later again ( was close to the original new oil colour )
I have enough oil to do a final change, and will likely order another filter, and do the filter and oil next time, then just check it 50,000ks later (if I still have the car)

Cheers Ean