Thread: Gearbox oil change / steel pan or not?

MR are awesome, wish I still lived in Brisbane to be able to use them.

Changed the D4 auto pan at 90K kms using one of these kits Genuine ZF6HP26 Range Land Rover Automatic 6 Speed Steel Sump Conversion KIT | eBay oil was slightly darker than the new ZF Lifeguard6 [only done light towing]Front diff oil was like new,transfer slightly darker,but the 'E' diff definitely off colour[black]
Recommend doing the lot whilst the vehicle is up on the hoist.

rwise :

"The lubricant is a lot cheaper these days as you can now use the upgraded Dexron 6 that supersedes the original ZF spec."

Which brand of Dexron 6 do you use / recommend, and how much cheaper is it than Lifeguard 6?

Thanks,
Wasa

Dexron 6 is NOT suitable for ZF transmissions...
The additive package for lifegard 6 is not available to ANY other oil blender and as such reputable brands are not offering a fluid rated as suitable.

At one stage - back in 2010 Penrite had a compatible fluid (SIN ATF) but the additive supplier withdrew their product and no one can purchase it now.

Hi Wasa.
I live in Brisbane and use a local product called
Prolube Autosyn 6. It is a fully synthetic group 3 product that meets the latest DX6 spec.Most of the major oil companies now have this product in stock.
Shell originally had the license to produce this product exclusively for ZF, but the license has now run out,and the latest dx6 supersedes the ZF requirement.
And yes Penrite did produce a product that was supposed to meet the spec,but that was 5 years or more ago.Today things are different.
I,m not sure of the price but compared to the ZF branded product it will be cheaper

I'm really apprehensive on this...
Here is the Prolube
Attachment 93579

And the Penrite Specified equivalent
Attachment 93580

Note the warning:
Attachment 93581


If there is a genuine 100% equivalent then that's fantastic.

However multiple searches and contact with a few manufacturers has had only negative responses.

This may be the turning point!

Hi Simm Aus,
Steel pan is the way to go, not sure why people knowing what is widely known now would still consider the plastic option. You can get kits of Ebay at a reasonable cost, I got mine for $260 with the plug. My advice to you would be to stick with the Lifeguard 6 oil as per original. I have been tempted to change however then it comes down to how good the flush is, did you get all the old oil out and how much oil do you waste doing the flush, it isn't cheap.
The TDV6 is easier to do than the petrol V6, Diesel engine exhaust goes over the gearbox, petrol goes under. My opinion having done both.

Just purchased steel pan conversion, BMW type with drain genuine ZF (replaceable) filter and gasket, and mechatronic plug off ebay, and 20L Lifeguard 6 ATF from local Repco.

Total costs including delivery, and Repco discount, about 1 grand.

It would seem that some of the dealer / independent service prices quoted hereabouts are quite reasonable!

Now I will sleep a little more soundly when camped out the back of beyond.

-Wasa