Steel sump / Plastic sump ( trans )

[Ean Austral]

Gday All,

Is the steel sump being fitted only for ease of the next oil change and the filter being changeable ( from what I read ) or is it because the plastic one breaks when changing the fluid seeing it was originally assumed to be filled for life.


Cheers Ean

[101RRS]

The former.

I agree that everyone seems to think the gearbox is supposedly sealed for life but actually not so - service interval actually 240,000km - ok one leg short of one foot in the grave.

Garry

[Tote]

Only for the ease of changing the filter, I can't think of any other reason.

Regards,
Tote

[IvanR]

I had the oil and sump changed on this week and opted for the steel sump
because;
1. The steel was only about $20 more than a replacement plastic.
2. you cant replace the plastic anyway without lifting the motor etc because of the cross member.
3. Makes future oil changes easy and cheaper.
As a matter of interest the oil was only $23/litre.

IvanR

2005 Disco3 TDV6S 11300 kms

[Neil P]

......As a matter of interest the oil was only $23/litre.

...

What did they supply you with ?

[steved01]

1. The steel was only about $20 more than a replacement plastic.

Where is this ?!

I have been quoted twice - one was an extra $200 and one was an extra $300 !!

[unseenone]

He didn't tell you how much they quoted him on the plastic one however, it might have been overpriced. They are available here, imported from Germany at 285.00 USD for the metal pan kit.

The Oil is another issue, but there are deals to be had here on it.

[IvanR]

Costs for the Transmission service are as follows:

Steel pan (including bolts) $210.80
Pan Gasket $17.80
Filter $35.70
Auto Trans fluid $141.00
Enviromental levy
Total parts $410.3 plus GST
Labour $120
The plastic pan he thought was about $180.
The work was done at a specialist auto transmission service in Shepparton Vic. recommended by my normal mechanic.
It was not the only one he has done and was fully aware of the issuses.
He stated that the cost of the oil has come considerably in recent times and the price he charged was his cost price.

IvanR

[Ean Austral]

Reading the posts I have, there seems to be a big difference in the price people pay for the steel pan...

So is it because some are buying the Ford product and others a aftermarket brand... or are there many places that now sell the steel pans..Would be surprised that I will locate 1 in Darwin for some of the prices quoted.

Cheers Ean

[TerryO]

I had a steel pan fitted recently and from memory it cost about $240.

Given the popularity of fitting alloy protective plates to protect sumps and auto's etc on D3's that are often used off road I would have thought that a steel pan is also more resiliant to damage than the original plastic item, anyway that is the conclusion I came to so that in part is why I had one fitted apart from the long term cost saving.

I still intend to replace the plastic under body covers with alloy protector plates though at some stage but I will still feel more confident off road with a steel pan than a plastic one.

cheers,
Terry