JColl2751 Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 Hi all, recently bought a 2006 TD5 Defender. Had it for about 3 weeks now, runs just fine generally speaking but today while I was out and about, the 5th gear seemed to 'slip' into neutral and back to 5th while nearing 60mph. Only happened very briefly but I have noticed a minor oil leak from the gearbox, figured they must be related. Going to buy some oil just to top it up since I don't know how much is left anyway but if anyone here has any thoughts on what could be causing the gear slip and what can be done about it, would be a big help. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fmmv Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 Hi, oil leaks are standard, no delete option, but they are anti rust. Re the slipping, could it have been the clutch? Did the engine speed up and then it seemed to ' grip' again. If so clutch slip is normally the sign of a worn out clutch, top gear typically is where it makes its presence felt. Try driving up a hill in 5 th then briefly dipping the clutch. It should grip and jerk you forward. If you get an effect like an automatic, thats clutch slip, or it can be caused by the dual mass flywheel,ease off the throttle, and change down. You can nurse it around like that for a bit but you'd need a clutch. On rhe other hand if its jumping out of gear it may be something worse. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JColl2751 Posted January 16 Author Share Posted January 16 I'm thinking you might be right. The engine did seem to grip the gear again after speeding up briefly. I'm taking it to a specialist garage in a few days for a once over so they'll find out for sure what's going on. Would you say it's still ok to drive around till then so long as I don't go speeds that require the 5th gear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doorknob Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 Slipping will just get worse, but very slowly. If you only just started noticing it, it'd probably fine for sometime. One thing I always say is don't go "looking" for it. You practically confirmed it is clutch-slip now, so it does not make sense to keep searching for it. Looking for it will only make it worse/faster wearing. But so long as it's just 5th gear 'sometimes' it's fine to keep driving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 The resistance to engine turning is higher in high gears, just like the resistance to pedalling is higher in high gears on a bicycle (it’s how gears work). That’s why clutch slip manifests in high gears first. The most significant damage you are likely to get is polishing of the flywheel, but that probably already needs a skim as it is, so as long as it isn’t slipping in lower gears with the risk of losing drive while you pull out at junctions, getting stranded in front of approaching traffic, then you can drive it until replacement is convenient. Fingers crossed, it just needs the new plate. However, there is a chance that you have oil contamination. If you have oil weeping from the bell housing drain, then you may need a new gearbox pinion seal or a new engine crank shaft rear seal. Fingers crossed it’s not that. It’s also worth considering fitting a new spigot bush and the reinforced clutch fork while it’s all open, and as mentioned, the flywheel and pressure plate may need attention. Britpart clutch kits contain the friction plate, pressure plate, spigot bush (and perhaps the reinforced fork). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 Td5 forks don’t need reinforcing. Also worth checking that the clutch pedal is adjusted properly with the necessary amount of free play. If not it can hold the clutch off slightly causing slip. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fmmv Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 If its oil on the clutch there is often a judder. The clutch adjustment is worth checking, but it sounds like you need a clutch. The bad news is rhat TD5s have a dual mass flywheel and that should be changed as well, so it is more expensive The good news is it's still cheaper than a gearbox. In the meantime avoid towing and change down early. One other thing worth checking before changing the clutch, on TD5 is the fuel pressure regulator on the side of the engine at the top. They can leak and the fuel gets down into the clutch area, causing slip sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JColl2751 Posted January 17 Author Share Posted January 17 Thanks for the replies. I'll play it safe seeing as how I've just got my defender and leave it be until it goes to the specialist, I'll give it run around the village so I don't have to use the higher gears. I'm planning on putting some new oil in the gearbox since I don't know how long it's been leaking for and how much is left. I'll keep all this info in mind for when it does go in and I can work out a plan with the specialist. All part of the fun in owning a defender 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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