M

mike1978

New Member
Hi,

I`ve had my 200tdi defender for a few weeks now. It has an LT77 gearbox and the synchro is worn for 3rd gear and i have to double declutch it to drop down to it.

Out of interest, i thought i`d check the oil level. I unscrewed the side filler expecting to dip my finger in to see if there was oil in there and too my suprise fluid streamed out of the filler (all over me - joy!).

The fluid though was not like gearbox oil i`d previously used in other cars though - it was really thin, almost watery and a dark red colour - is that normal!?

Cheers, Mike
 
mike1978 said:
Hi,

I`ve had my 200tdi defender for a few weeks now. It has an LT77 gearbox and the synchro is worn for 3rd gear and i have to double declutch it to drop down to it.

Out of interest, i thought i`d check the oil level. I unscrewed the side filler expecting to dip my finger in to see if there was oil in there and too my suprise fluid streamed out of the filler (all over me - joy!).

The fluid though was not like gearbox oil i`d previously used in other cars though - it was really thin, almost watery and a dark red colour - is that normal!?

Cheers, Mike
Click to expand...
Surprising but normal. Enjoy!
 
It's what it's supposed to have. Don't try to put gear oil in it because you'll ruin it.
 
mike1978 said:
Hi,

I`ve had my 200tdi defender for a few weeks now. It has an LT77 gearbox and the synchro is worn for 3rd gear and i have to double declutch it to drop down to it.

Out of interest, i thought i`d check the oil level. I unscrewed the side filler expecting to dip my finger in to see if there was oil in there and too my suprise fluid streamed out of the filler (all over me - joy!).

The fluid though was not like gearbox oil i`d previously used in other cars though - it was really thin, almost watery and a dark red colour - is that normal!?

Cheers, Mike
Click to expand...

I know it mite sound stupid but as re guard's your synchro problem try putting a cushion on your seat and take it for a spin, i have 2nd gear synchro worn on mine and when i fitted a set of Mazda rx8 seats in and giving a better seating position the crunching has stopped, worth a try ;)
 
Last edited:
I'd always change the vital fluids as a matter of course on a new motor, unless you really know when and how it was last done. Doesn't really cost much, compared to the damage that could be done by old / wrong oils.
 
Ford Transits use a similar fluid, although they charge a fortune for it. If it's ATF it's much better, go to a Motor Factor (yell.com) buy a litre and a 5 litre. You can top up using the Litre container then use the 5l to top that up, getting the right amount of fluid in, sometimes over topping a box can make it leak from pressurisation.
WaterCheck your breather as it maybe letting water in (fording) or depending on the amount of water condensation can gather in the box over time.
 
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Just to throw the spanner in here... Is it not now recommended to use MTF ( can't remember which grade ) for LT77 and R380? I believe this debate has no definite answer though !
 
There's a Land Rover branded MTF 94 you can get which I believe is still the currently recommended fluid. Or some people go for the more expensive Difflock Evolution 1. Either way, unless you're very well connected or very lucky, it's still quite an expensive job.
 
I did quite a bit of research on the different Landrover forums before I changed out the fluids in my LT77. After much searching with no definitive answer, I decided to check with the experts....Ashcroft Transmissions. They say use ATF Dexron II or III. Since I am unable to get either in my area they said Dexron IV is fine also.
 
GuamBomb said:
I did quite a bit of research on the different Landrover forums before I changed out the fluids in my LT77. After much searching with no definitive answer, I decided to check with the experts....Ashcroft Transmissions. They say use ATF Dexron II or III. Since I am unable to get either in my area they said Dexron IV is fine also.
Click to expand...
Even in Spain, you should be able to get DEXII or DexIII from a local motor factor or garage, some supermarkets have it in France. some of the later versions of DEX are not compatible, Google compatibility.
 
I tried everywhere looking for Dex II/III...no luck. There is lots of talk online about some of the newer ATFs not being compatible due to possible damage to seals, but again nothing definitive. That's why I decided to ask the experts. The Dex IV has been working great in my LT77.
 
GuamBomb said:
I tried everywhere looking for Dex II/III...no luck. There is lots of talk online about some of the newer ATFs not being compatible due to possible damage to seals, but again nothing definitive. That's why I decided to ask the experts. The Dex IV has been working great in my LT77.
Click to expand...

Doubt if it will do any harm tbh. :)

MTF is good too.
 
The main moral or the story though is that the usual EP 80 or 90 gear oil is far too thick and sticky for the LT77 or R380, and stops the syncromesh mechanism working. Hence the recommendation to use ATF/MTF.
 
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