Disco 4 Automatic Transmission FAQ - 8 Speed

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Originally Posted by justinc

Yup. But the 8spd doesnt need a steel pan conversion....

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Hi Justin, I've been dithering about getting my transmission oil changed, but keep getting mechanics trying to talk me out of it - "too early", and "those things are good for 200,000km" etc etc.

I've bought the oil (Lifeguard 8) and am about to head off towing our 2 ton trailer to the Kimberley, about a 10,000km round trip. Am I being overly-cautious about getting the oil changed? The car has only done 53,000km, about 15,000 of that towing the trailer over the past couple of years.

And last, I saw earlier you commented that the plastic pan on the 8 speed can be replaced with another plastic pan, not a metal one, is that correct?

Just had a full service on the 8 speed transmission, 2014 SDV6 SE, 72,000km. Had it done at The Transmission Centre, Underwood and the cost was $650, using "non genuine" fluid. Got quoted $850 using genuine fluid but Scott the manager assured me that the fluid used was as good as the genuine. They used genuine parts, filter etc, and Scott did make the comment that the non genuine pan was only a few dollars cheaper and didn't come with new plug and bolts that the genuine came with, so no-brainer really. Happy with the service provided.

I am 100000% opposed to ANY so called similar fluids. For goodness sakes LG8 is only $48/litre. You need 6 litres tops to do a standard service and pan replacement . WHY DO PEOPLE TAKE RISKS WITH NON GENUINE FLUIDS!!!

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Originally Posted by GregMilner

Hi Justin, I've been dithering about getting my transmission oil changed, but keep getting mechanics trying to talk me out of it - "too early", and "those things are good for 200,000km" etc etc.

I've bought the oil (Lifeguard 8) and am about to head off towing our 2 ton trailer to the Kimberley, about a 10,000km round trip. Am I being overly-cautious about getting the oil changed? The car has only done 53,000km, about 15,000 of that towing the trailer over the past couple of years.

And last, I saw earlier you commented that the plastic pan on the 8 speed can be replaced with another plastic pan, not a metal one, is that correct?

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Greg at 53k you could probably leave it alone, unless 3 t boats or vans have been hanging off the tow bar?? I would probably do it at 80k though. I just did 3.0D4 at 90k and it was well worth doing... the vehicle had towed a bit and done lots of remote outback touring fully loaded.

Yes the original plastic pan goes straight back on. You lift the back of the gearbox up and wedge a socket between the crossmember and the rear gearbox mounting, then there is enough room to undo all the bolts and drop/ change the pan.

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Originally Posted by justinc

Greg at 53k you could probably leave it alone, unless 3 t boats or vans have been hanging off the tow bar?? I would probably do it at 80k though. I just did 3.0D4 at 90k and it was well worth doing... the vehicle had towed a bit and done lots of remote outback touring fully loaded.

Yes the original plastic pan goes straight back on. You lift the back of the gearbox up and wedge a socket between the crossmember and the rear gearbox mounting, then there is enough room to undo all the bolts and drop/ change the pan.

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Thanks Justin - good to know. As it happens I've got it booked in for a front brake pad change next Wednesday, and their LR specialist said a straight oil change will only take an hour or so, so I may as well get it done since I have the oil anyway. Leaving it for another 30,000km means the oil I bought will be at least another two years old by then.
I was pleased to hear from him that they only ever use proper ZF transmission oil on Land Rovers - I didn't realise this when I ordered the oil from interstate. Handy to know though for future reference. Seems a lot of indies will only supply Penrite or similar.

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Originally Posted by GregMilner

Thanks Justin - good to know. As it happens I've got it booked in for a front brake pad change next Wednesday, and their LR specialist said a straight oil change will only take an hour or so, so I may as well get it done since I have the oil anyway. Leaving it for another 30,000km means the oil I bought will be at least another two years old by then.
I was pleased to hear from him that they only ever use proper ZF transmission oil on Land Rovers - I didn't realise this when I ordered the oil from interstate. Handy to know though for future reference. Seems a lot of indies will only supply Penrite or similar.

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Good to hear about the oil, If someone wants me to use non ZF oil in their gearbox then I won't be doing the job, simple. Who is doing the work? Pm me if you want. J.

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Originally Posted by envee

Just had a full service on the 8 speed transmission, 2014 SDV6 SE, 72,000km. Had it done at The Transmission Centre, Underwood and the cost was $650, using "non genuine" fluid. Got quoted $850 using genuine fluid but Scott the manager assured me that the fluid used was as good as the genuine. They used genuine parts, filter etc, and Scott did make the comment that the non genuine pan was only a few dollars cheaper and didn't come with new plug and bolts that the genuine came with, so no-brainer really. Happy with the service provided.

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Saving 200 buckeroos to risk a 7k trans job??

Priceless, and very bad advice. I would suggest it is a profit margin driven decision , not a look after the transmission I have been entrusted to service correctly decision ...

I make no apologies for saying the above, I know for a fact that purchasing bulk through Penrite gives a huge margin allowance than through ZF, and the "best" part is that when the transmission develops issues it "wouldn't be down to the oil used"..

Anyway that's my opinion, take it or leave it.

Hi all. First post for me and my question is around the need to replace the plastic pan under the gearbox during a complete oil change. Mine is 2014 TDV6 D4 and I'm being quoted $515 for a new pan. They said they have replaced the pan with metal ones on earlier models so that customers don't have to keep forking out for new plastic ones but that a metal one is not available as yet for the D4. Excuse my ignorance, but why can't the plastic ones be reused?
Cheers
Glenn

For $200 saving,i wouldn't even contemplate it.

Its not like the oil is changed regularly,that sort of saving over a few years isn't even worth worrying about.

My Indie was the same,can use a cheaper oil,no way i said,the correct fluid only.
They did say that was by far the better option.


Its just like putting cheaper oil in the engine,to much of a risk,for a few $.

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Originally Posted by glenn20869

Hi all. First post for me and my question is around the need to replace the plastic pan under the gearbox during a complete oil change. Mine is 2014 TDV6 D4 and I'm being quoted $515 for a new pan. They said they have replaced the pan with metal ones on earlier models so that customers don't have to keep forking out for new plastic ones but that a metal one is not available as yet for the D4. Excuse my ignorance, but why can't the plastic ones be reused?
Cheers
Glenn

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The plastic pan is actually the filter too. If yours is an 8spd there is no steel pan yet, however unlike the 6 spd the pan is at least replaceable without having to break off the pickup tube...