T

Toad

Active Member
Having spoken to someone who is supposed to be in the know I am told that gear box and transfer box oil doesn't need changing, it just needs topping up. He tells me that if I were to drain the oil then compare it to the new oil I would be unable to tell the difference between the two. Now this goes completely against the grain for me. Surely any oil that takes a real battering for thousands of miles has to lose its effectiveness.

I have a 300Tdi 1995 model and I have had it for the past 30,000 miles and in the time I've had it I have never changed the oil in either box. I think I spotted a thread on this forum that stated the oils in both boxes should be changed every 25,000 miles. Can anyone out there put me right on what should or should not be done.

I should mention that I do tow on a regular basis loads up to 3 tons so the car does work hard and she has done 151,000 miles.

Any input will be very welcome. Thanks.
 
any oil needs changin regular - unless its ****in out so fast yu change it every month or so wiv top-ups.
 
Change it!
Should be done every 25k, do yeh diffs & swivels while your at it.
You will ned a special torx socket for the gearbox filler.
 
I would drain the oil out of the LT230 and pour it on his head - it will be filthy after 30k miles. The LR recommendation is to change the Main gearbox ATF at 12k miles and the xfer box EP90 at 24k miles. If you use semi-synthetics or full synthetics you can extend that.

Oil is cheaper than gearboxes!
 
Thanks for that Jim. I did feel myself that this guy was talking from his rear end. The job is being done this week so your input has been very valuable to me.
 
Recently changed all lubes on my 200 tdi and they were certainly contaminated, the 'Red' ATF was actually black!! Incidentley the shift quality (and I use the term loosely) did not alter after change but my head felt better for it.

regards

Dave
 
Thanks for that Dave. I fully expect my oil to resemble liquid tar, I just wish I'd done something about it earlier.

It says a lot for the car really knowing the sort of work it does!
 
Dave 2000 said:
Recently changed all lubes on my 200 tdi and they were certainly contaminated, the 'Red' ATF was actually black!! Incidentley the shift quality (and I use the term loosely) did not alter after change but my head felt better for it.

regards

Dave
Click to expand...


"They Reckon" that you have to start putting expensive synthetic in before you start feeling any gear change difference.
 
I changed the gearbox oil this weekend in mine - it was black and well a bit 'lumpy'. I'm guessing it's never been changed (130K miles, 300tdi) but it looks like either something has got in there and contaminated it or someone has put the wrong stuff in there. Anyone else got any thoughts? Do I need to start to panic yet?
 
adrian hollister said:
I changed the gearbox oil this weekend in mine - it was black and well a bit 'lumpy'. I'm guessing it's never been changed (130K miles, 300tdi) but it looks like either something has got in there and contaminated it or someone has put the wrong stuff in there. Anyone else got any thoughts? Do I need to start to panic yet?
Click to expand...

As long as you have now changed it with right oil,level is good,no leaks,no lumps of cogs on magnetic drain plug (iron filings is normal) when you drained it you should'nt have anything to worry about.

Did you do your transfer box,diffs & swivels at the same time?
 
transfer box done and all ok, diff's and swivels were planned for this weekend, but it looks like I may have to replace the steering pump as the bearing is squeaking something chronic and it's started leaking steering fluid (gone through a litre this week already). Never a weekend goes buy without something exciting happening :D
 
I'll let you know about synthetic gear oils making any difference, I'll do mine this week. (the advantages of working for a truck main dealer...!) Just ordered the gearbox filter for mine.

If you never need to change it, why do we keep nearly 2000 lts of the stuff in stock? The trucks get it changed anually, gear & diff, can't see the landy being much different.

Rob
 
Thanks for all the input on this subject folks. I've obviously hit on a popular subject here!
 
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