Niamh Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 We're having a good week for transmission woes! Our road automatic 300TDi seems to be suffering from what I'd describe as a slipping clutch were it a manual in that when driving along the revs will suddenly increase and then a second later drop back to normal, it doesn't feel as though the box is hunting between gears so could it be anything other than the torque converter slipping? Niamh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Attryde Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 Does this occur at / or around a particular road speed or at any speed? Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo_C Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 Have you checked the oil level as per dip stick instructions? These boxes sometimes do funny thing when they are a little low on fluid. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niamh Posted March 2, 2011 Author Share Posted March 2, 2011 Lower rather than higher speeds (probably not in 4th at all), mind I was being restrained with the throttle after the first time. Niamh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Range Rover Blues Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 The torque converter only locks up over about 53mph, that varies slightly and often the speedo reads fast too. It's possible the gears are hunting because the oil is low or dirty. Problem is that new oil can shift up the muck that has settled and fling it into the governor, bad news if it happens. It might be worth a new filter inside the box and a dose of oil (it takes 3 full changes to replace all the oil because you can't empty the torque converter). My sister found the kickdown on hers a bit sensitive too, I moved it to a different hole on the arm and made it less sensitive, so you can use more throttle before it kicks down. Worst case scenario could be that one of the bands inside is going, but unless it's had a hard life or been tot he moon and back I wouldn't expect a TDi gearbox to get trashed the way a V8 can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niamh Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 It only started yesterday so I doubt it's the kickdown. Oil level is fine, but it did look more brown than red on the dipstick. And we've almost reached the moon Niamh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 If oil level is brown... that's not a good sign, should be a clear red in colour. I'd get it changed (and the filter) and fingers crossed it keeps it going for a while, but ultimately brown ATF is bad news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Attryde Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 I would suggest risking a filter and fluid change as Range Rover Blues suggests. I would also suggest giving Ashcroft Transmissions a call as they will be able (and willing) to give you definative advice. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niamh Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 FWIW the colour was good last Sept when we checked the level before going to France So- Drain Drop gearbox sump and clean all the muck out Fit new screen Refit sump Fill Drive a few miles Drain Fill Drive a few miles Drain Fill Which should mean that the old oil in the torque converter is flushed out? Niamh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Yes, or as near as worthwhile, effectively you are diluting the bad oil with fresh each time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redneck Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Does the oil smell burnt, if so your clutches are gone. New clutches and converter at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niamh Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 Worst case scenario could be that one of the bands inside is going Just had the owner of a local indie garage give it a test drive and within 50 yards he diagnosed exactly this. As it's not a job they can do he's doing some research to see if there's a good local autobox rebuilder. Niamh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 TBH, it is likely to be cheaper and certainly easier to get an exchange recon from Ashcrofts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niamh Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 That's certainly something we have in mind, but there is also the factor that the charges from small firms out here are way less that in a big city. We shal see what the man has to suggest after he's done some phoning. Niamh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Attryde Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 I can highly recommend the Ashcroft option. I would also replace the flex-plate whilst the box is off as they are known to fail (i have had 2 break) and until it is unbolted from the engine you can't always see if it's busted. When I changed the box on mine I didn't change the flex plate and had the thing apart about 6 weeks later as the centre failed leading to a horrible rattle (small bloke, big hammer inside bell housing type noise). Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niamh Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 Any other parts one should get before starting? Niamh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Attryde Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 Other than cleaning the oil cooler and pipes (flushing them), I can't think of any thing else at the moment. Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Range Rover Blues Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 How do you recomend flushing the cooler pipes? I've had a terminal gearbox failure and I'm saving for an Ashcroft's nutter spec replacement, I don't want it to die (in fact i want to be buried in it) so how do I get the pipes clean other than with new ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Attryde Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 How do you recomend flushing the cooler pipes? I've had a terminal gearbox failure and I'm saving for an Ashcroft's nutter spec replacement, I don't want it to die (in fact i want to be buried in it) so how do I get the pipes clean other than with new ones? Ashcroft's will supply an aerosol flushing system with the new box (well they did with mine) which works very well. They also sell it separately click here Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niamh Posted March 7, 2011 Author Share Posted March 7, 2011 OK, so how does one read the serial nomber on the box with the Disco parked on the drive? Niamh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Attryde Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 From memory, with great difficulty I seem to recall using a mirror and a torch and cursing quite a lot. Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niamh Posted March 7, 2011 Author Share Posted March 7, 2011 I nicked an inspection camera from work. and by poking it over the chassis rail we eventually managed to read the number but only after rubbing the top of the numbers with a china-graph pencil to help them stand out! Niamh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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