Thread: L322 td6 GM transmission oil & filter

ahh I meant GM not ZF sorry

Originally Posted by Camo

Gave my local Auto service shop a call regarding my trans.

The guy said the filter is identical for the RR and X5.. He said the sedans are different. Will give him that I guess.

He was dead set sure the Maxlife is fine for the RR ZF box. They rebuild them and use that fluid. He said the box is identical to aussie GM.

Got me beat. Would love to show him info why we need Dextron VI. Why is that anyways? Valve body different?

Camo

Just goes to show that he does not know what he is talking about.
L322 td6 runs a GM tranny whereas the petrol v8 runs a ZF tranny.
Both trannies need different spec ATF.
Do a google search on what happens to the L322 GM transmission when the incorrect ATF used. There is plenty of experience in GB where these trucks have now done 300k km and what happens when you run them on the incorrect spec ATF. You are better off leaving it as is with the factory sealed ATF than replacing it with the wrong spec ATF.

...Just a quick follow-up, I did about 300k's on the weekend and all is good, It has always been a really smooth and snappy transmission, and it still is.
It's just nice to know that the fluid in it now is all new, and it has a new filter.
The old fluid was a little brown, and had a small amount of particles, but nothing abnormal as far as Chris said....all good news!

Originally Posted by fraser130

...Just a quick follow-up, I did about 300k's on the weekend and all is good, It has always been a really smooth and snappy transmission, and it still is.
It's just nice to know that the fluid in it now is all new, and it has a new filter.
The old fluid was a little brown, and had a small amount of particles, but nothing abnormal as far as Chris said....all good news!

Great news Fraser - how did you find Chris and his service? I was impressed by him, but I'd like a second opinion. Did he say anything about another Rangie in his workshop - I don't think he gets them in there often, but he sure liked mine when he drove it - did he take your for a test drive?

I am even more concerned about my car now.

I got under it and had a good poke about, and found a "remanafactured" sticker on the top of my transmission.

Checking the paperwork, the transmission was stated as "fitted new replacement transmission" on the job sheet by a reputable landrover dealer. I took this as a brand spanking new unit when I was doing my research on purchasing the car.

Its got just on 40k on it now so its got another two oil changes before I put it in for a filter and fluid change.

Originally Posted by jsp

I am even more concerned about my car now.

I got under it and had a good poke about, and found a "remanafactured" sticker on the top of my transmission.

I think that this is just part of the 'green agenda' adopted by all EU manufacturers these days.

It's similar to the EAS air compressor which has to be exchanged when you purchase a new one from your LR dealer. The old one is returned and "re-manufactured".

If a LR dealer did the work then the "re-manufactured" unit will be as new.

If you've done 40k on the transmission and it is behaving properly then all should be OK anyway.

This is taken from a US GM Auto rebuilder, the US rebuilders have a there own oil preferences and service advice.

"BMW X5 and Land Rover Discovery’s with the 5L40E transmission are known for failing due to over working the transmission. As they are classed as a sealed Transmission the oil often goes off like milk left in the sun and causes the internals to fail. Transmission Rebuilders recommend servicing these transmissions every 20,000kms or 12 Months which every accrues first."
Recommended Oil is Dexron 111 however there are better oils available now.

Valvoline Dexron 6
Valvoline Maxlife (Synthetic)
Castrol Transmax (Full Synthetic)

Originally Posted by Laurie

This is taken from a US GM Auto rebuilder, the US rebuilders have a there own oil preferences and service advice.

"BMW X5 and Land Rover Discovery’s with the 5L40E transmission are known for failing due to over working the transmission. As they are classed as a sealed Transmission the oil often goes off like milk left in the sun and causes the internals to fail. Transmission Rebuilders recommend servicing these transmissions every 20,000kms or 12 Months which every accrues first."
Recommended Oil is Dexron 111 however there are better oils available now.

Valvoline Dexron 6
Valvoline Maxlife (Synthetic)
Castrol Transmax (Full Synthetic)

Neither Castrol nor GM recommend using "Transmax" - in fact Castrol strongly warns that you do not use any of their products for this transmission.

"US ... rebuilder... recommend ...20,000 kms...." - in US they do not use kms for measuring distance so this reference is a bit sus.

Also if they recommend "Dexron III" they definitely do not know what they are talking about. I don't know about milk going off in the sun as that is a bacterial reaction but Dexron III does not have the correct chemical properties for the metallurgy in this transmission.