Autobox woes?

[SteveGoodz]

Howdy folks,

Since I got a nice new company car recently the Discovery has been rather neglected 

We went laning in it 4 weeks ago and everything was fine but when I drove it again 2 weekends ago and it wouldn't change gear for the first few minutes. Then it started to change and was fine for the rest of the weekend. It's been sat idle since then until yesterday when I decided to take it for a spin and had the same problem - about 2-3 minutes of being stuck in bottom gear then it changed up and everything was fine again. It was also okay when I went out in it today.

Anyone got any ideas as to why this should start to happen? It's never given me any trouble in the past ....

[Dirt-Devil]

By the sound's of it you might need to change the oil in the Gbox as it could be thickening  up or you have gained some dirt and grit in there, either way a good flush out will probably sort it, hope this helps.

[Paul]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it's likely to be the governor.

As advised you can try draining the Fluid and renewing but if the problem persists it's a sticking governor.

I had this with one of my 300tdi autos and it had to go into a gearbox specialise.

[SteveGoodz]

Well, I prefer Dirt-Devil's idea better but suspect Paul will turn out to be correct - DAMN 

Guess I'll be spending this Sunday changing the oil instead of laning 

[SteveGoodz]

Why is there always so little time to do important things like sort out the Discovery?

Looks like it's gonna be the Christmas break before I get a chance to even look at it 

[tack43]

What colour is the fluid? If it's still cherry red expect the worst! If it's brownish you may get away with an oil and filter change as it's proberbly well overdue. Likewise the brown colour could suggest slipping clutches. Try an oil and filter change as that's a lot cheaper than a new gearbox and could well cure the problem.

Rich

[karlo]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it's likely to be the governor.

As advised you can try draining the Fluid and renewing but if the problem persists it's a sticking governor.

I had this with one of my 300tdi autos and it had to go into a gearbox specialise.

I'll 2nd that 

[SteveGoodz]

What colour is the fluid? If it's still cherry red expect the worst! If it's brownish you may get away with an oil and filter change as it's proberbly well overdue. Likewise the brown colour could suggest slipping clutches. Try an oil and filter change as that's a lot cheaper than a new gearbox and could well cure the problem.

Rich

Hi Rich,

I took a quick look at the oil today and although the level is okay it's definately more brown than red. I must admit I haven't checked it for a couple of months but it certainly wasn't like that last time. Oil and filter change (along with crossed fingers) is top of the list 

Anyone know the correct procedure for changing the oil and filter?

[tack43]

Drain oil, remove sump pan, remove filter(known as oil screen) and o rings. Take pickup pipe from oil screen, clean and fit to new oil screen. Replace new oil screen, clean sump and replace with new gasket, fill up through dipstick hole! Paddocks do a service kit (PM764) for

[SteveGoodz]

Cheers Rich, I'll get one of those kits ordered up tonight 

Just gotta hope for some decent weather between Xmas and New Year 

[Range Rover Blues]

Auto boxs don't like to stand unused, the crud settles to the bottom, now if you can drain it before starting it up again all well and good, if not then it can be a problem.

Also new oil wil be a better detergent that your old oil, so changing the oil on a neglected box can start problems too.  There's been a couple fo threads on LR 4x4 recenlty along similar lines.

the crud does end up in the governor BTW, you might get away with a couple of changes in rapid succession.

[SteveGoodz]

Thanks for the comment, RRB.

I guess it'll have to be a suck it and see thing. If it works it works, if not ... then I'll have to decide if it's worth getting another box, or not.

There are other things that need to be done on the car but they're low cost jobs which just need me to get off my arse and get on with it 

[mattyme]

i had exactly the same problem... after a couple of pay and play days id get home ok but the next morning it wouldnt come out of first gear at all.... and the overdrive gear was kicking in at 35 mph. changed the oil and 20 mins later it started to change gears again. the second time it wasnt so bad, the morning after it changed gears after a minute or so driving. changed the oil again and not had another problem since.
i think the service kit from paddocks is a good idea tho!!


when i say no other problems.... see my thread, autobox woes 2!

[Range Rover Blues]

I put a second hand box into the LSE and all was fine, for about 190 miles.  That too started by not shifting quickly into 3rd, followed by not shifting up.  With the V8 in charge though it packed up very quickly afterwards.  Now, sat behind the sofa is Ashcroft's finest upgraded auto box.  Just need to get off my arse..........