MY15 D4 at 60,000km update

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Originally Posted by mr_squiggle

Hi Rob, the transmission pan & filter can be done easily without an engine lift to get the pan out, you just need the right tools. Have a look at the post I did in the 8 speed transmission section of AULRO.
I do agree that it's not a cheap exercise though, the parts & fluid (genuine ZF) were about $500 & that was trade.
Not knocking how you did it, just pointing out that it can be done a different way.

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Thanks I just quoted what the service guy said. I have read the trans stuff in detail as part of making the decision to get it done so I was well prepared for the cost. In the greater scheme of things it is fine as far as I am concerned. In the first instance this is a OE dealer undertaking the work and within the warranty period. For me that is vital. This becomes a forma (JRA)l record of me being prudent in servicing the car. So when we do need to take the extended warranty I have every right to get annoyed if they take me on as not keeping up with service and maintenance.

If I was outside warranty yes I would have had it done by PCB of course. But the duty cycle of our car is quite high compared to a lot and that has been the case since we started buying 4WD's over 20 years ago. So with that in mind I am always prepared to take a preventative approach to service and maintenance rather than simply following the log book

Given we spend 4-6 months a year on the road, towing and averaging 15,000km off bitumen each time I like to be as prepared as I can be

Rob

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Originally Posted by RobA

David take a deep breath. Labour, fluids and a replacement pan and filter (comes as a kit) was a smidge over $2k. Yes I know my man at PCB could have done it for less but this car is still under warranty and I want our service record to include this just in case for the future. It is a big job as they have to lift the engine as I understand it to get the pan out. Included a software check which I demanded to ensure all was correct. As I have said it does feel better but with the turbo problem to be sorted I reckon some of the trans behaviour is linked to that as well

Rob

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Rob.
Was the $2k including the general vehicle service too???
I'm at 42000K,coming up to its 3rd service.Havent done lots of heavy towing yet,5000km max.
Andrew

I am looking into a simple drain and refill without pan/filter change. Fair bit cheaper and I think an effective balance between cost and proactive maintenance. Plan to do same again but with pan/filter change as well at around 120k. This plan gives relatively fresh fluid at approx 60k intervals but not full flush. From what I've read of 8 speed fluid changes they all seem to be in good condition at least visually when drained.

I've towed a 1.7t (loaded) camper trailer about 20k km and the other 40k not towing.

Scott

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Originally Posted by LandyAndy

Rob.
Was the $2k including the general vehicle service too???
I'm at 42000K,coming up to its 3rd service.Havent done lots of heavy towing yet,5000km max.
Andrew

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Andy no it was just for the trans service. My car is under their fleet plan so NC whilst under warranty

Rob

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Originally Posted by LRD414

I am looking into a simple drain and refill without pan/filter change. Fair bit cheaper and I think an effective balance between cost and proactive maintenance. Plan to do same again but with pan/filter change as well at around 120k. This plan gives relatively fresh fluid at approx 60k intervals but not full flush. From what I've read of 8 speed fluid changes they all seem to be in good condition at least visually when drained.

I've towed a 1.7t (loaded) camper trailer about 20k km and the other 40k not towing.

Scott

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Scott yes it is an interesting space. I have heard widely varying reports on the drain process from it went OK to it was terrible. A mate with an RRS, first version, had a drain done and the thing was worse. It was explained to him due to the chemistry of the fluid mixing even a small amount of old with the new can have negative impacts. This was at a time when you could not get the full kit outside of warranty but things have changed a lot since then. As well his was the old 6speed

About the only other thing we found was that outback road travel destroys the plastic panel protecting the spare. So looking to get Gordon to make me up something metal

Rob

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Originally Posted by LRD414

I am looking into a simple drain and refill without pan/filter change. Fair bit cheaper and I think an effective balance between cost and proactive maintenance. Plan to do same again but with pan/filter change as well at around 120k. This plan gives relatively fresh fluid at approx 60k intervals but not full flush. From what I've read of 8 speed fluid changes they all seem to be in good condition at least visually when drained.

I've towed a 1.7t (loaded) camper trailer about 20k km and the other 40k not towing.

Scott

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Can I ask what is the recommended replacement schedule for the filter? Personally I wouldn't skimp on changing filters.

dont get hung up on the internal filter - most trans pickup filters are only good for around 60 microns at best - which wont stop any of the smaller particales that cause damage. I'm looking at installing an external filter to my D3 6 speed from the cooler line as after 24,000km on the new box the oil has a lot of contamination already (our gearboxes at work on a mine site have cleaner oil).

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Originally Posted by RobA

Scott yes it is an interesting space. I have heard widely varying reports on the drain process from it went OK to it was terrible. A mate with an RRS, first version, had a drain done and the thing was worse. It was explained to him due to the chemistry of the fluid mixing even a small amount of old with the new can have negative impacts. This was at a time when you could not get the full kit outside of warranty but things have changed a lot since then. As well his was the old 6speed

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Rob, I've been closely following the topic on Disco3. There's a few high km 8-speeds over there now. Reading there, it seems that the 8-speed is a better proposition than the 6-speed regarding issues and the process of partial flush via drain/fill has been done by quite a few. It does get tricky sometimes separating 6-speed from 8-speed experiences. I have been quoted $2600 for a double-flush c/w pan & filter change (dealer labour rates & expensive ZF8 fluid even compared to ZF6) so that's pretty much in line with your experience, give or take a few dollars. I don't think there's a right & wrong answer here, just different factors to weigh up.

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Originally Posted by RobA

About the only other thing we found was that outback road travel destroys the plastic panel protecting the spare. So looking to get Gordon to make me up something metal

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APT has a transmission protection plate:
APT Transmission Guard | Discovery 3 and 4
Integrates with the sump guard.

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Originally Posted by RobA

Well after close to 2.5 years we have rolled over 60,000km so after its service yesterday I thought I would share the findings.

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Apart from the transmission topic, thanks for the report. I'm at about the same time frame and same km's although, less of them offroad. I love the vehicle and am looking to be proactive for long-term retention. And I also have experienced very few problems (touch wood). It's in for an Interim service today and the warranty issues are a minor buzzing from door speaker and the windscreen lower cowl to be replaced (uv damaged plastic that seems to affect all).

I did have the front LCA bushes replaced at 50,000 as warranty without question. I've been getting oil changes at better than half the 26k schedule and have replaced the air filter a couple of extra times during or after long dusty trips. I seem to go through brake pads relatively quickly, having changed the rears once and fronts now pretty low. I put this down to stop/start city driving but also I've been told that towing reduces rear pad life. Wheel alignment has been an issue, including the aligner used by the dealer. I have simply persisted until I found someone that could achieve straight alignment rather than keep going back to someone who didn't get it right. I can put the vehicle in the correct mode myself so it's not that.

So no major issues and many hours of happy travelling, whether away on a trip or around town commuting.

Cheers,
Scott

Scott thanks yep agree on the trans issue. A friend has a D3 and I always get at least a 15% better fuel consumption and sometimes up to 30% when loaded and towing. So yes I reckon the 8 speeder is better there and also a much nicer drive when you back to back test them.

Will follow up on the trans protection plate as the underside has taken some pretty big hits from rocks and with the spare wheel protector destroyed I really need something decent underbody

I am relaxed about the turbo seal issue. It can happen to anything so as long as it is warranty and on my service record I have a recourse if something happens in the future. Or at least I hope so

Certainly have no regrets regarding the ownership experience at all and yes we will be keeping ours for quite a while. I will wait and see what the new Defender looks like before I make a change

Regards

Rob

The 8 speed also looks after itself better.Full lockup in the gears,when I came back from my Xmas camping trip into a heavy head wind with a 2 tonne camper trailer it spent a lot of tome in 6th and 7th,its choice in sport.
Andrew