Hi Guys,

I have recently purchased a Disco 2 TD5 auto.

The car seems fine when vehicle is cold, however once at normal operating temperature the gearbox clunks when engaging third in economy mode. This does not happen all the time but have noticed it over prolonged distances.
It feels like the box if forcing it into gear.

When the gearbox is switched to sport mode the problem seems to disapear.
Also noticed it is more prominent when going uphill and the vehicle is under load

I have changed the gearbox oil filter and I put in DexIID Auto gearbox oil.
The problem seemed to be solved untill I took it out on a long stretch again.

Could maybe be something else?

 

Welcome!

When changing filter and fluid are you sure that you put back in the correct amount of fluid?
What year and how many miles?
Have you replaced front prop shaft?
You need to get caught up on maintenance and changing all the fluids. Look at Disco Mikes major service and get started so you know that thing are up to date.

 

hi lr2001silver,

I am fortunate enough to have had access of a hoist in doing the oil change.
Once I put the DexIID back in, I stayed inside the vehicle while it was hoisted up. I ran through the gears from park all the down to 3rd leaving in that specific gear for 12 seconds. I did this 3 times than filled it up untill there was a fair stream of oil running from the filler plug.

I drove the Disco for 500km then checked again, as soon as we removed the plug the the oil started running out.

It is a 2002 facelift model with 377 000 km on the clock.

Front propshaft was reconditioned just before I bought the vehicle which is about 3 000km ago. I checked the Universals they still look 100% and there is no play on the front propshaft. Could the propshaft cause a problem only in 3rd?
If so, i will send the propshaft in for check...

I will be changing all the lubricants tomorrow, I will put in a DexIII in the auto tranny and change the lubes on transfer case and both diffs.

 

Good day!

So some more info did you hear the "clunk" before you changed the transmission fluid or did it begin after this?

Drive shaft would cause problems in more than third gear and does your truck make the clunk sound if you just put your gear selector in D and go?

 

Did you fill the tranny a second time with the engine running, how many total quarts did you put into the tranny and do you have an check engine lights are if so what are the fault code numbers?
Dex 3 is what you should be using.
Inspect your front drive shaft and see if you have 1 grease fitting on each of the 3 front u-joints, if not this may also be a problem and should be rebuilt along with a new centering ball.

 

The vehicle was doing this when I bought it, I sort off hoped the gearbox service would have been the remedy to the problem.

The problem is only on selecting 3 and even then it is only when at normal operating temperature.

From park to drive or any other gear for that matter is so smooth you don't even feel it engaging. it is only whilst driving and only when the auto goes from 2nd to 3rd. It feels like the gearbox is holding out and then dumps the gear in 3rd.

Unfortunately there isn't too much history on the vehicle. I bought it at that high mileage with no service history.

I have done most of DiscoMike's list it's basically just the diff and transfer case oils that needs to be changed. Will send the prop in for inspection just to be on the safe side.

 

Don't send the shaft in for inspection, crawl under with a flash light and look. A shop will charge you to look, probably say don't worry about it and let it go when nearly 50% of the factory shafts fail usually taking out the tranny in the process.
How about fault codes?????

 

This is the strange part, no fault codes and no warning or management lights.
On the second run the engine was running but didn't need any oil. As soon as the check plug was removed ATF came out.

I own a mechanical workshop, had it at two other workshops and both says they have no idea. both just suggested the gearbox service.

I am not too familiar with Land Rover (the product).
We specialize in MG and Rover
That is why I had to give the forum a chance as I thought someone might have had the same problem before.

 

Hi Guys,

Just some feedback end more info.

I changed the differential oils (front and back) today. It looks like some work has been done on front diff not too long ago as the grey silicone still looks fairly new.
Could it perhaps be the "backlash" on the diff causing my problem with engaging between 2nd and 3rd.
Both diff's oil extracted wasn't bad as the oil haven't really discolored that much.

Had the vehicle scanned yesterday, no fault codes on engine and transmission.

Drained the transmission oil and filled it with a DexIII as per Disco Mike's suggestion and also changed the oil in the transfer case. Did a full gearbox service about 2 weeks ago so the gearbox strainer is still new.

While I was busy I did the power steering fluid and ACE pump fluid at the same time. I also did a Major Service yesterday replacing, oil filter, engine oil, Fuel Filter and Air filter. I also replace the thermostat as well as the tappet cover gasket.

Replaced the vacuum pipe on the turbo wastegate.

Will drive the car over the weekend, will let you guys know if the problem with engaging still persists.