Disco 3/4 Automatic Transmission FAQ - 6 Speed

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Originally Posted by winaje

Good questions.
First: I am advised that the oil is not untested, but has undergone years of lab/bench/field tests, that have been completed in the last year. They state that they have specifically tested a 50/50 mix of SYNATF and LG6, as the majority of users will do a service refill not a full flush, and have found that there is no degradation in transmission function or wear. They do recommend a complete replacement if possible, in line with ZFs suggestions.
Second: Someone has to take the risk and see if the strangehold of ZF/Shell can be broken. I have not seen any RECENT trials of Nulon SYNATF.
Third: I got my D3 for a stupidly cheap price and it's out of warranty, so I have less financial risk.
Fourth: I hate, really hate, getting gouged by a company, and if I can find a way to get the same result for 1/4 to 1/3 the price, I get a certain perverse pleasure in going out of my way to take business off the company that's exploiting us.
Fifth: I'm happy to change Nulon fluid at 50k @ $12/L, rather than change LG6 fluid at 100k @$48/L which is the cheapest I can buy it as a consumer.
Finally: I'm nuts.

I have not got a guarantee from Nulon, but really, is ANY company going to guarantee a 311k box? I do feel sufficiently confident in the experience of the guys who I spoke to though, to take the calculated gamble.

I'll let you know what happens, good or bad.

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You've thought it out.
Considered the options.
Weighed it up.
Kinda like what I do.
Reckon you'll be fine, the others will then follow suit...

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Originally Posted by sheerluck

Yep, light red/pink with a smell like burnt condoms.

No eau de cat at all. I'd rather have burnt condoms than cat ****.

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When I first bought my RRS I did a double flush with the best ATF I could get my hands on. Was a Penrite fully synth one. At the time I read that the ZF6HP26 needed ZF TE ML 11 spec oil, which the Penrite oil seemed to adhere to. Falcon/Territory owners with the 6HP26 all seemed to sing its praises too.


So once I'd done the flush it was great - extremely smooth shifts, still a slight burring noise from the torque converter that I only I could notice, but all good. UNTIL the trans started adapting to the new fluid. Then it started behaving quiet badly. Jerky shifts, audible squawking between gears and additional noise from the drivetrain. I bought 5 litres of Ford badged LG6 the next day and did two double flushes with the new fluid. After that, with the exception of the slight noise from the torque converter, the car drove perfectly and has done since, which is 50K down the track.


Not saying your experience will be like this, in fact I hope it won't be (I was worried I'd destroyed my trans for a while) but that was mine. I have since read on Penrite's website that their ATF is *Specifically* not for ZF 6 and 8 speed automatics.

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Originally Posted by Rich84

Not saying your experience will be like this, in fact I hope it won't be (I was worried I'd destroyed my trans for a while) but that was mine. I have since read on Penrite's website that their ATF is *Specifically* not for ZF 6 and 8 speed automatics.

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I hope it won't either, will know by next Tuesday night as the D3 will be driven 250kms before I get in it, so will know immediately if there's any issue.

I've been verbally advised specifically by Nulon that their SYNATF IS compatible with the 6HP26. The proof will be in the drivers seat, will report back in instalments lol...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rich84

When I first bought my RRS I did a double flush with the best ATF I could get my hands on. Was a Penrite fully synth one. At the time I read that the ZF6HP26 needed ZF TE ML 11 spec oil, which the Penrite oil seemed to adhere to. Falcon/Territory owners with the 6HP26 all seemed to sing its praises too.


So once I'd done the flush it was great - extremely smooth shifts, still a slight burring noise from the torque converter that I only I could notice, but all good. UNTIL the trans started adapting to the new fluid. Then it started behaving quiet badly. Jerky shifts, audible squawking between gears and additional noise from the drivetrain. I bought 5 litres of Ford badged LG6 the next day and did two double flushes with the new fluid. After that, with the exception of the slight noise from the torque converter, the car drove perfectly and has done since, which is 50K down the track.


Not saying your experience will be like this, in fact I hope it won't be (I was worried I'd destroyed my trans for a while) but that was mine. I have since read on Penrite's website that their ATF is *Specifically* not for ZF 6 and 8 speed automatics.

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Rich, I've read enough on Disco3 and other sites to say that the Fuchs ATF works OK in the 6HP26.

I guess I'll see how it goes. Similar to Will, my D3 is of an age where there is little to lose.

This thread prompted me to have a chat to my local auto transmission specialist. He clearly knows the vehicles and had some interesting comments and views.

He has rarely seen any with terminal failure.

He has seen plenty that have had a rock through or cracked plastic sump - causing fluid loss. So a metal bash plate might be the go offroad.

Not seen any Landies or BMWs with coolant ingress due to the cooler being in the radiator but has seen plenty of Fords. He put it down to crappy radiators in the Fords - not corrosion related failures but fatigue cracks.

Says the metal sump is a must - for protection and ease of servicing the filter.

Does not recommend a mega flush but does insist on oil testing and changing oil on the the basis of the results.

Normal change is just a basic change as long as the test is OK. He indicated that if you leave the car up on the hoist for a couple of hours with the drain and filler holes open then you will get an extra litre or so out the drain.

If he does have to do a mega flush he does not support the drain and fill a few times method but uses the oil cooler pipe method and does the lot in one go.

He believes most of the major oil companies have ATF that are suitable for the gearbox BUT he only uses and recommends ZF 6 - he supplies the local Landrover, BMW and Ford dealers with ZF 6 when they run out.

He charges $46 a litre for ZF 6 which is a bit expensive.

He recommends that the metal sump is a must, for most cars a basic change is only needed as long as the test is OK, then a basic change, test and filter change/clean about every 50,000km.

His cost for a metal pan and 5 litres of ZF6 with labour - is $850. If a mega flush is required - there is an additional $110 labour charge and $46 per litre of oil over the 5 litres.

Garry

I got 2 prices yesterday. One for $850 plus GST (metal pan, fluid change) and another for $1100 plus GST (Metal pan and full flush)

The first said no need for a flush - it's cheaper to come back in a year and change fluid again if required. Latter said they don't do it without flushing.

We're not short of options anyway, plastic/steel, flush/no flush!! That's before the fluid comes into it...:confused:

Had the metal pan installed and a flush yesterday. Pan is a BMW one with drain and fill holes, 5.5 litres of oil (ZF LG6) was replaced.

Oil was very clean and the filter was clean at 112K km. I got the car at 92K and it was obvious it had been babied, I doubt that it had ever been off road and the towpack was as new in the original bag.

Cost was $700.

I used this transmission shop to rebuild my D3 ZF box which had severe shudder, metal and torque converter clutch particles in the filter when he checked it at 250K. The transmission had been serviced previously on the D3 as it had a metal pan, I just wish I had done it when I first got the car at 192K.

As I tow a fairly heavy camper I intend to have mine serviced every 40K in future, at a cost of $400.

Hi all. Have got the D3 back with the new steel pan and Nulon ATFSYN. First impressions are very good, shudder completely gone as well as the hunt/surge. Vehicle has done 300kms so far, feels much smoother and shifts a lot quicker. I'm happy at this stage. I'll update the thread with any changes. Total cost was $678 for steel pan, full service, labour, and 20L of Nulon ATFSYN. Work carried out by Steve at Goulburn Valley Auto Transmissions in Shepparton.

Guys, try Gulf Western ATF, my auto shop has been using it for some time. I have now done 50k with it and it's much smoother than my first service with ZF oil. I was initially apprehensive because they didn't tell me and I found out later. Shop said all ford ZF owners are using it now

Just read your posts today about gearbox shudder and ATF...


After picking myself up off the floor from a quote of just over $1000 for a service, flush, special sauce transmission additive, new metal pan cover and removable filter, I figured that I needed to do some hunting around.


Picked up a replacement filter through EBAY for a ZF6HP26 box. It was listed as a for XR6 Turbo/XR8 versions from an independent supplier. Looks identical to LR3 variants, but scored it delivered for $130......from a supplier at Geebung in Queensland!!!!


As for the ZF Lifeguard 6 ATF, REPCO offer it at $34 per litre...less than half price for the genuine version, but instead (accepting that I may need to do a double flush and waste a lot of transmission fluid....) I invested in the Nulon Full Synthetic. Todays price at REPCO for the NULON product was $56 for a 4 litre bottle (20% off sale ends July 31 for RACQ card holders...).


Anyway...just wanted to say thanks for the advice sharing so far guys and if this works out better than I can wish for, I will share the outcomes!!!