Hi all,

I have several questions for you in relation to the gearbox on my tdv8

I had the ‘mega flush’ recently, however the gearbox oil filter wasn’t replaced, is this right? Seems mad to change the oil but not the filter? The car drives better after the flush but not perfect!

How can I tell if the torque converter is bad or if the gearbox is bad? Is there a way of finding out if it’s one or the other or both?

Finally, is there anywhere decent to buy a recon gearbox or torque converter that won’t cost the earth? Local to Bournemouth or Watford.

Thanks!!

I know zero about automatic boxes but I would agree that it sounds stupid not to replace the filter when you’ve replaced the oil. Was this ‘mega flush’ a proper mega flush or a corner cutting drain and refill 3 or 4 times? 2019 5.0 SC SVA (Current)
2012 5.0 SC AB. Sadly written off by a campervan
23 plate Focus ST (Current)
1942 VEP Ford GPW Jeep (Willys) (Current)
1943 Whites M16 Halftrack (Current)
16 plate Eurofighter Typhoon, 2 x Eurojet engines with 20,000lbs thrust each. 1380mph

It was a proper mega flush at a Land Rover specialist, I called and asked about the filter and they say that it gets cleaned in the process. Just seems odd to me to not replace it.

It involves getting your hands dirty to change the filter.

This is not part of the megaflush ethos

To be fair they don't really need changing

The filter isn’t a “filter” as such, it’s a strainer to catch big lumps of debris.

But if you have big lumps of debris floating round your gearbox, you have much bigger issues that a flush won’t cure...

The strainer doesn’t catch the microscopic particles suspended in the oil, whereas a flush removes the old oil completely

There is a paper filter in there,
which stops small metal bits.
There is still plenty of surface area left for the oil to pass thru

Thanks for all the replies, they say that next step is a new gearbox and TC, is there any way of identifying if both are gone or if it is just a replacent TQ? I’ve read lots of posts where a new TQ solved it, I’ve not seen many where a whole new gearbox was needed

We dont know what the issues you are having...

So before the flush I had juddering when I lifted off the accelerator in drive like crawling in traffic etc.

Lack of ability to pull away. Almost like a few second delay then it would shoot off.

Vibration under load from 30-50ish.

Judder when shifting from park into drive after starting. (Initial start was fine, when I’m drive it shakes)

The flush seems to have solved 90% of this but it is still there at times.

Update,

Did the ‘stall speed’ test today. Revved to around 2200rpm so I’m thinking the TC is shot, can’t find any exact specs of the stall speed on the tdv8 but would assume it to be around half of that.

2k rpm sounds about right. I assume you mean that you stood on the brakes and revved it in drive to see what it would stop revving at? If so, mine would do around 2k rpm. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Bristol Transmissions have a very good reputation on this, and I think a number of forum members have had their gearbox done there. I'm having similar issues, and spoke to the tech guy. He said that a lot of the time they just need a new torque converter, but sometimes the output shaft is worn (if IRC) as well, which means a new gearbox. They can't tell which it will be until they remove it.

Mine was done by Bristol Transmissions. Went on for a new TC at 109k miles, ended up with them doing a recon job as the output shaft splines were worn. To change the output shaft, you have to take everything out of the casing. They then check and replace stuff as required. Of course, if the output splines are worn then the transfer box input splines will also be worn. That means a strip of the transfer box to get the input shaft out. A new transfer chain was fitted when they did that.

Mine had a megaflush at about 70k miles but that obviously doesn't help the output shaft splines. Interestingly, the gearbox was still ok when I sold it at 174k miles. I had it megaflushed at the normal 150k because, well, why not?


I had the current RRS megaflushed at about 70k miles. It's done much less towing - I think I'm the first owner to tow with it and it's not done that much with me. It is the 8-speed gear box rather than the 6-speed of my previous RRS. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Thanks for the replies, what do Bristol transmissions charge for replacing a TC?

I have seen a few ‘cheap’ gearboxes for sale (complete with TC and transfer box) for around £700 from a 58k milage car. However I won’t know the condition of it until I have it fitted so it’s a gamble!

My gearbox seems to be getting worse, straight after the flush is was much better but now the whole car shakes when stationary and in drive, if I flick it into neutral it seems to stop. Also when pulling away slowly if feels like it’s slipping, seems to drive better when using manual shifting from 1-3.

What are the signs of worn outputshaft? The same as the TC?

A bit of driveline shunt, I think. I guess it's one of those failures that you don't really notice right up to the point where it fails and leaves you stranded.

Sounds like you need to phone them up and have a chat... 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed