Thread: Buying a 2005 high Km TDV6.

I'd say brave on this one especially the gearbox.
Factor in $6/7000 for that alone.
Changing the oil & pan at this stage is a gamble.

The transfer case weep can be fixed when the Auto gets done!

Brakes, Air compressor although they can add up in cost are general wear and tear items which you have to expect.

Rotary coupler no big deal as long as that's all it is.

Engine - check the service history for by the book servicing. If this has not been followed walk away. This is a major cause of lower engine failure issues.
As for the timing belt tensioner again check the service history to find out if it was replaced as it should of been.

Cheers Rich

I'd be very cautious if there is a leak between the auto and the transfer case. It could be easy and not that expensive, it might not and if it isn't then it could be very expensive. Same goes for the auto if it's never had at least one proper service then that is a worry.

Originally Posted by TerryO

I'd be very cautious if there is a leak between the auto and the transfer case. It could be easy and not that expensive, it might not and if it isn't then it could be very expensive. Same goes for the auto if it's never had at least one proper service then that is a worry.

The leak(Wet patch) is between the 2 halves of the transfer case, not the auto and transfer case. It isn't dripping, yet...

The auto has never been serviced :-(

Originally Posted by kelvo

The leak(Wet patch) is between the 2 halves of the transfer case, not the auto and transfer case. It isn't dripping, yet...

The auto has never been serviced :-(

Hi kelvo

Im also looking at a D3, though im looking at around the 100k km mark purely because of the transmission (people don't get them serviced cos they're told it's "sealed for life" ). If it hasn't been serviced at 260k km then its likely that its already worn too much and changing the oil will cause the problems to show up.

I am looking at higher mileage cars but of the auto hasn't been serviced then I'd be trying to get some money off it to fund a transmission rebuild. From what I've read they're $5-7k for a rebuild.

Cheers

Dan

D3s can have had the same problem I've had with my output shaft ie it wasn't lubricated by LR before bolting on the transfer. The result is the input gear for the transfer is also US. I agree if there is a tranny/transfer failure expect a cost of $7k.

If it's cheap enough it could be worth it.

The part number for the D3/4 6HP26 transmissions changed nearly every time LR put an order into ZF. That means quite a few changes were made to the boxes over the years. They were probably very minor changes but it could make fitting a used box problematic. The transfer box is the same as far as I can tell.

Originally Posted by rar110

D3s can have had the same problem I've had with my output shaft ie it wasn't lubricated by LR before bolting on the transfer. The result is the input gear for the transfer is also US. I agree if there is a tranny/transfer failure expect a cost of $7k.

If it's cheap enough it could be worth it.

The part number for the D3/4 6HP26 transmissions changed nearly every time LR put an order into ZF. That means quite a few changes were made to the boxes over the years. They were probably very minor changes but it could make fitting a used box problematic. The transfer box is the same as far as I can tell.

There was also a stator bush problem with earlier boxes. There is an upgraded part but to be honest I dont know all the details.

I dont know what used boxes are worth but by the time its all fitted it may not be worth the risk with these transmissions. You seem pretty handy though so if you can save money on labour it might be worth it.

Personally I'd get it professionally rebuilt. Removes the issues of a second hand box and means all the latest upgraded parts for your gearbox part number should be installed, and so it should work no problems.

Cheers

Dan

Hi Kelvo,
I'm selling my D3 at the moment, I have sent you an email, if you are interested give me a call. Mine doesn't have any damp patches..........new compressor, control arms done and has had the steel pan conversion done. Fully Synthetic oil used, LG 6 in the gearbox. Upgraded to a RRS only reason for selling.

My 2007 TDV6 has covered 326K, I bought it at 180k, nil ever trans service but oils changed every 10k.
If the trans has not been serviced at 250k, then you can expect no change from $8k for a full rebuild, which may not be far away.
Additionally, you would want to know if the oil pump housing on front of motor has been replaced with the upgrade pump housing, and while they are there they might as well do the front belts, idlers and tensioners.
Possibly $2+k bill for that, depends on parts prices and repairer.
You would also want to know when rear timing belt and tensioners done last.
(I think approx 160K is service interval for that).
Really all comes down to the details in the service history, from the leaks and such that you describe, seems this vehicle has had re-active services rather than pro-active services or repairs, so that vehicle would want to be very cheap, as you could easily spend $15k to just deal with the obvious.
I have spent $18K on pro-active maintenance on my TDV6 this year.
All I got for that was new full trans, all new hubs/brakes/discs, all belts tensioners/idlers, water pump, alternator, full aircon replacement, injector pump/pipes, just stuff that was likely due given the K's.
So be prepared to spend unless somebody can show you they have already spent.