Thread: Disco 3/4 Automatic Transmission FAQ - 6 Speed

My 2010 D4 has done 123,000 km with about 20,000 towing 2.3tonne van. No shudder, no transmission attention. No hard and fast rules methinks.

Originally Posted by Tombie

The steel version has a separate (but in same location) filter that is replaceable.

The plastic version is bonded into the moulding.

I am sorry, but I was confused with the auto transmission's "sump" and the engine's sump.

There are changes that Land Rover specified for their version of the engine, when compared to the other users of the V6 Ford/Peugeot "Lion" diesel (Jag, Ford Territory, Peugeot, Citroen I think). Those have shallower sumps without out extra baffles (evidently) and have less thorough sealing for dirt / water ingress proofing and are not designed to safely operate at 45 degrees angles.

The auto tranny's sump though, likely is much the same function across all vehicles that use it. I don't know why LR compromised on something so important for heavy users ie ease of changing the tranny fluid.

On another issue, I know with Landcruisers (Prado and others) that its very common to add a more efficient tranmission fluid cooler. But it doesn't seem to be something that LR users add.

Originally Posted by Melbourne Park

I am sorry, but I was confused with the auto transmission's "sump" and the engine's sump.

There are no baffles in the plastic LR auto sump, just as there are none in the ZF metal one.

Originally Posted by Melbourne Park

I don't know why LR compromised on something so important for heavy users ie ease of changing the tranny fluid.

LR don't care - their recommended FIRST change of ATF is at 240,000km - well out of warranty. Cynics could say this is to reduce cost of ownership for the majority of owners, who renew their cars while still under warranty. Note that even extended factory warranty won't cover to where the first ATF change is recommended by LR.

Hi to All - have been reading these threads very closely and seriously ! Luv my disco 3 - however, it has 399,982 km's and I have gone through all the 'sealed gearbox' issues with my mechanic who is a LR lover and we changed the oil and sump at about 180,000km's and no drama, bout another 50,000km it started to shudder - ouch ! Dropped the oil and flushed and started again with a computer update and has gone like a dream !!! Only a couple of months ago, with the high km's we all commented on how good the gearbox was going !!! And then last week we did a further service, tie rod ends (both sides), and a computer update and 600km's into the adjustment time I get 'gearbox transmission fault' and 'special programmes not working' - mmmmm Back to mechanic urgently - redo computer programme and now we are told gearbox is NO GOOD NO more !! Does this sound 'normal'??? Would love to know who else has had a replacement gearbox ?? Always used ZF product ! lotsa highway and outback road driving - no offroad to a great degree and no towing !!! HELP please - your thoughts would be encouraging !

I have a RRV with the same ZF 6 speed with 240,000 km. It had a tranny service at 130 & 230,000 km. it was going great until recently when it stripped the output shaft spline. It simply wore out.

I spoke to ZF who indicated most 6 speeds (which are mostly in Falcons in Australia) last about 180,000, although have seen them last up to 700,000km.

So it sounds like you've done pretty well. ZF Sydney will do a full refurb for $4400.

Hi all,
Could anybody recommend an Auto transmission workshop in the Hunter region to do a Oil Change, fit Steel Pan service on my D4 TDV6?
Thanks, Swampy.

Originally Posted by LuvDisco

Hi to All - have been reading these threads very closely and seriously ! Luv my disco 3 - however, it has 399,982 km's and I have gone through all the 'sealed gearbox' issues with my mechanic who is a LR lover and we changed the oil and sump at about 180,000km's and no drama, bout another 50,000km it started to shudder - ouch ! Dropped the oil and flushed and started again with a computer update and has gone like a dream !!! Only a couple of months ago, with the high km's we all commented on how good the gearbox was going !!! And then last week we did a further service, tie rod ends (both sides), and a computer update and 600km's into the adjustment time I get 'gearbox transmission fault' and 'special programmes not working' - mmmmm Back to mechanic urgently - redo computer programme and now we are told gearbox is NO GOOD NO more !! Does this sound 'normal'??? Would love to know who else has had a replacement gearbox ?? Always used ZF product ! lotsa highway and outback road driving - no offroad to a great degree and no towing !!! HELP please - your thoughts would be encouraging !

Would be good to hear why it was deemed "NO GOOD NO more". I would be wanting (and expecting) to hear a more technical explanation.

Having said that, 400,000kms is very good from an auto, especially one with clutch packs that do wear out eventually. With the first service done at 180,000km then to still get 400k is a great outcome.

Tis a mystery to all with my gearbox that now will not fault ! I have a fantastic mechanic who has spoken with ZF tech and they have gone through the adjustments and it now appears that it is not faulting ! I may be a lucky LuvDisco gal !, it appears that we may not have needed to do the computer upgrade to the gearbox as it was doing well ! So now it has been driven by the experts and may have settled itself into a bit longer life ! I am aiming to beat the 700,000km mark !, it appears that because I do a lot of long highway driving and also love my cruise control I am not being kind to the top end gears and they did not calibrate well in the computer upgrade and needed further time to do the resinc ! We will see how I go on my next trip and will keep you updated ! However, the ZF tech did say that the LR ZF boxes should start their changes at 60,000km. They are definitely not a 'sealed for life' item.