The ______ autobox blew out all of the ATF this morning in our local town. We had to call and wait 2 hours for the tow truck to take the D2 to the local garage who announced they don't do autos, hmmm, helpful eh. So we had the depannage driver return the D2 to our house in France (he was such a miserable SOB anyways), so guess what I'll be doing this week ........... at now 140K miles and 14 years I reckon a new autobox is called for.

What would you guys do, a new rebuilt box from Ashcroft for £1,000 including transport or try to repair the existing autobox, bearing in mind I'm well past my prime now for crawling under an LR and it might turn out to be a wasted effort?

 

I’d try to find a used one. The ZF trans seems to be one of the most bulletproof components on the DII if the fluid is drained and refilled regularly. Heck, given how few people have problems with them maybe they’re bulletproof even if you don’t change the fluid!

I understand you’d be taking a risk that there was some problem with a used one but I think they go for something like $400 in the States. I don’t know what you might have available where you are.

And for the rest of us, what caused the fluid to be blown out?

 

My Jeep Scrambler did this, which is why I bought my Land Rover. My plan is to buy a overhaul kit (with dvd) and rebuild it. Maybe you could get some help with pulling it out and put on a workbench for you to work on, then reinstall it for you.

 

Thanks for your ideas and thoughts guys. Problem in France is that autos are as rare as hens teeth along with D2's. I haven't a clue as yet why the oil blew out but all I can assume is the breather blocked or the front autobox shaft has worn the seal badly and the front seal blew through. The autobox has been showing a smallish ATF weep for around a year from the bell housing which is where the oil came from today, big time. When I discover more I'll post exactly, hopefully, what has happened or caused the failure. I know ZF boxes are supposed to be 'bomb proof' so that's probably why I didn't take too much notice of the ATF weep earlier.

 

I mean, my first step would be refilling the trans and seeing if the trans was slipping since it ran out of fluid or if it was ok. If it's not slipping I'd just fix whatever is leaking and keep on trucking.

 

Yeah if you fill it back up and it shifts normal I'd just change out the transmission front seal. Once the torque converter isn't stabbed into it you are looking right at the seals.

 

It can't be refilled, it would pump out in seconds. Its horrible when this happens. Mine blew at night, when I left for work, and I drove straight out so I didn't see the trail of oil on the headlights. I made it just over 1000 ft from my driveway. I lost 3rd, then 2nd. Flipped a U-turn. Too late, lost it all. That is a Chrysler 999.

 

France, I am everyone else that think your trans is not damaged & it's just the seal's, but you would know that better than all of us since you been driving it for past 14 years & you would notice if it was slipping gears,,, since it dropped all fluid at once & wasn't driven after to get damaged it should be still good,
How much will it cost to have a decent shop drop the trans & instal new seals,? (Or do you even trust them to have it done), changing seals shouldn't cost £1000, it will be worth doing if you know a good garage to perform the job, & you know trans was in good shape b4 this happened,

 

I think, I'm not sure yet, that the torque converter has blown and/or the TQ seal. It will still need the autobox removing along with the LT230 to fit new parts. I've been in contact with Ashcroft and they have some ideas on the problems. It might also be the transmission vent pipe is blocked or exhaust burnt, I'll keep my fingers crossed for some luck .

Unfortunately I wouldn't trust most French garages locally to fix my wheelbarrow let alone an autobox and 95% of the French drive manual stick shift gearbox's and mostly Renault, Citroen or Peugeot cars. There are some Mercs and BMW's around but nearly all manual stick shifts.

PS: French garages locally are very few and far between and they certainly know how to overcharge customers so it's why I turn my own wrenches.

PPS: If I refill the autobox with ATF it'll defo pour out again under pressure so I might as well just save myself time and tip it down the drain first .

 

It’s not that bad of a job, but removing the ebrake drum, then the TC, then the transmission made it much easier vs fighting all that extra weight.