geoffbeaumont Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Will probably have the opportunity to aquire my parents M-reg 300TDi Disco in July, for a very reasonable price. It's well looked after, about 125K on the clock and they've had it from new so I know it's entire history. There's only really one fly in the ointment - it has a faulty gearbox. Apparently the early R380s had a plate in them that was later removed because it caused problems (premature wear of the syncromesh on 3rd and 4th, I think) - it should have been removed from the truck years ago, but wasn't with the result that changing between 3rd and 4th is awkward. It's generally okay if you take it slowly, and my parents have been driving it like this for months, since deciding a recon gearbox was uneconomical. Is anyone familiar with this problem? How serious is it? Is it likely to be an issue for the MOT if it's left as is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bush65 Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 I can't help with the plate issue, but the type of oil used does affect how well the syncros work. Castrol Syntrans (probably 75 in your climate, but others would have specific knowledge) is one of the better choices. May be worth a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbeaumont Posted April 17, 2006 Author Share Posted April 17, 2006 I can't help with the plate issue, but the type of oil used does affect how well the syncros work.Castrol Syntrans (probably 75 in your climate, but others would have specific knowledge) is one of the better choices. May be worth a try. I think it's a bit more serious than a change of oil is going to fix - the plate has been removed now, which helped and made it drivable again, but I think the only permanent fix is a new gearbox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Never heard of such a problem and my old 90 was a 1995 model year 300Tdi, no problems with 3/4 just reverse was a bit disagreeable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Talk to Dave Ashcroft, my 1st R380 did well over 200,000miles without any problems, can't see why a dodgy synchro would affect the MOT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbeaumont Posted April 17, 2006 Author Share Posted April 17, 2006 Never heard of such a problem and my old 90 was a 1995 model year 300Tdi, no problems with 3/4 just reverse was a bit disagreeable. Not sure how many vehicles were affected (this truck is one of the first 300TDis - my parents waited for the change from 200TDi before taking delivery) - nor have I come across this anywhere else, just what my parents have been told by the garage that worked on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbeaumont Posted April 18, 2006 Author Share Posted April 18, 2006 Well that's the MOT question answered anyway - it passed today. Didn't realise it was due. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freeagent Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 not heard about that one, but it doesn't surprise me.. the R380 in my old defender did 175K without a hitch... was still realy nice to drive when i got rid of it...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Mine was still working, but it had to go cos the 5th/reverse layshaft bearing decided to give up, leaving me with 1 to 4 & no 5th or reverse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbeaumont Posted April 25, 2006 Author Share Posted April 25, 2006 not heard about that one, but it doesn't surprise me.. the R380 in my old defender did 175K without a hitch... was still realy nice to drive when i got rid of it...... Like I said, haven't found any other mention of it anywhere. Doesn't seem to be getting any worse, so I guess it'll keep going for the forseable future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mr_Truffles Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 The plastic ball drops out of the bottom of the gearstick it's a fidly fix but can cure your selection problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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