Hi All, Question on an 04 Disco II with 65,000 miles.

I just noticed the auto trans seems to occasionally be sluggish in releasing, ie when braking and my foot is off the accelerator the trans seems to stay engaged and then release. No loud noises or anything but I can definitely feel it when it happens. The trans was serviced and the fluid changed about 3K ago. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

What kind of transmission fluid went into it?

 

LOL, I'm embarrased to say but I had it serviced so I don't know. The shop specializes in euro cars and the mech has a disco II so I'm somewhat confident they used the right fluid.

 

sounds like your torque converter clutch my be hanging up a tad, could be as simple as a brake switch.

 

At your mileage, it is past doe for the 60K.
If you were mechanical, I would suggest your check the fluid for smell and color.

 

Are you talking about instances of braking to a full stop, like at a stoplight or sign? The trans clutches will fully release as the trans pressure fades when coming to a stop (below 5-10 mph). I get an audiable/felt "clunk" when stopping from the rear diff (yes, the u-joints are tight). I've had the same thing happen with most of the Mopars I've owned, and very few of the GMs.

Without knowing more, I think it's normal.

 

LOL, I was wondering if it was part of the LR mistique. What you described does happen but I also feel the trans being somewhat sluggish and I do get a clicking noise when in traffic and you let up on the pedal and then give it gas, it feels like its in the drivetrain. It shifts ok especially when warm but the shift to second can be noicable when cold. As far as the fluid when I had it serviced a few K ago I did ask specifically about the state of the original fluid and was told it was fine. Ironically today I was at a wake all day and ran into a family member who had a disco a few years back, his friend, an ex LR service guy in business for himself will take a look at it tomorrow after the funeral. I'll post the diagnosis.

 

We had better talk and I would suggest you quit driving the truck till we do cause you may have 2 issues.
PM me your tele number and I'll call you.

 

Thanks Mike, PM sent.

I did speak with the guy I mentioned, heres what he did and said. He took a look under the hood at the rear of the compartment looking down at the trans and then went underneath. While looking at the trans he asked when I had it serviced last, I told him 2-3K ago, fluid and filter, his reply, the bolts holding the ?????? I believed he said crossmember/brace have never been touched. His feeling was the tech used a suction hose and pulled as much fluid out as he could then refilled, never properly draining it nor replacing the filter.

If true of course I'm seriously pissed. Worse yet the trans felt even more sluggish on the trip home.

Mike your advice is taken. The truck will sit till we speak. Thank You.

 

Ok update time for anyone doing a search on this.


I followed Mike's advice and drained as much fluid as I could from the trans. The fluid was darker than new but had no burnt smell, in fact the smell was the same as the new fluid, just less potent. After refilling and also putting in a quart of the lucas trans fluid I drove it for about 50 miles yesterday on a combo of local and highway roads. The difference is remarkable. The shifts except for 1st to 2nd are much better and even 1st to 2nd aren't bad, just noticable. Comming on and off the accelerator is also smoother as well and so far at least, when comming to a stop there is no longer the feeling of the trans disengaging. I can't believe fluid can make such a difference. Maybe I can live with an auto transmission, LOL.

Thanks Mike!