| Author | Message | ||
     Brad Noviski (Bradnoviski) New Member Username: Bradnoviski Post Number: 1 Registered: 02-2003 |
The transmission fluid and filter were changed at 40,000 miles and the rig is approaching 70,000. How often should the fluid and fliter be replaced. | ||
| Robert Kendall (Krob81) New Member Username: Krob81 Post Number: 7 Registered: 01-2003 |
I have the same question. Jiffy Lube told me I need to have mine changed ASAP. How often DOES it need to be done? | ||
| Pete S. Unregistered guest |
Usually about 30K under normal driving but if you go wheeling more often or actually use your rig for work purposes change it even quicker like about 20-25K | ||
| Tbow (Tbow) Member Username: Tbow Post Number: 29 Registered: 12-2002 |
As a overall general rule, I recommend changing the auto trans fluid once a year. But it all depends on how you drive. In normal use such as everyday normal street/highway with ocassional light towing, then every 20 - 24 thousand miles is good. But in severe use such as operating in hot climate, dusty environment, heavy towing or do a lot of low speed and idling off road then you should change it every 12 - 15 thousand miles. But if you change it once a year, you won't have to think about how you use the vehicle. It's funny how people will be adamant about changing their engine oil as early as every 3,000 miles, but forget to service the transmission or balk at the cost. Think about it. 50 - 100 dollars spent to change the fluid once a year is cheap insurance when compared to 2500 - 3000 for a transmission rebuild. | ||
| J E Robison Service Co (Robisonservice) New Member Username: Robisonservice Post Number: 6 Registered: 10-2002 |
According to ZF, the makers of the transmission, there is risk in changing the filter because small bits of crud can get into the valve body and cause problems. For that reason they prefer you to drain and refill leaving the filter alone. Since you can't drain the whole trans in this manner I suggest an annual change is inexpensive and good value. | ||
| john baker (Johnb) New Member Username: Johnb Post Number: 4 Registered: 11-2002 |
if there are bits of crud in your trans pan,you have problems.once a year sounds good,but with off road use up to maybe 15k.maybe sooner,water inside a trans is very bad news,river crossings,etc.i would think about the rest of the driveline at the same time also.3000k miles per eng oil change,15k miles per trans service,that makes the cost about the same.just a thought. | ||
| Brad Noviski (Bradnoviski) New Member Username: Bradnoviski Post Number: 7 Registered: 02-2003 |
Thank you for all the information. I plan on changing the fluid next time I do an oil change which will be in a week or so. As far as I know, there are is no crud in the pan. If there is should I change the filter? I do mostly highway driving with some occasional off roading. For JE Robison If I understand your post, just change the fluid but leave the filter alone. I have found several maintenance scheduals on the internet that recommend changing the filter at or around 72K. If what you say is true, why do these maintence schedules indicate changing the filter. I know for a fact it was changed at 40k.(which was about 1.5 years ago)Does the crud come from the process of chaning the filter? for example stuff falling in while putting it all back together. With the recent cold snap we have had in northern NY, (-15 to -20F and high around 0) it takes along time for my shop to warm up and make it nice an toasty for working on the rig, so not renewing the filter at this time is somewhat desirable. thanks brad | ||
| J E Robison Service Co (Robisonservice) New Member Username: Robisonservice Post Number: 14 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hi Brad, Regarding filter changes: ZF and the various Land Rover national service organizations have a number of different opinions on this topic. As someone posted above, if you drain the fluid and you get chunks out, you are in trouble. If the fluid gets changed often engough that it comes out fairly clean the filter won't get clogged and there will not be a need to change it for a long time. Whenever you remove the filter you increase the chance of particles being sucked into the valve body, which is what causes the demise of these gearboxes. If the filter was new at 40 I would change the fluid every 15 and leave the filter alone till 140. That's what the ZF service trainers say, and my experience has borne the wisdom of this out. Our customers do not experience transmission failure following this plan and using Mobil 1 ATF. John www.robisonservice.com | ||
| Brad Noviski (Bradnoviski) New Member Username: Bradnoviski Post Number: 8 Registered: 02-2003 |
John thanks for the advice. I hope I don't have chunks in my fluid.lol Brad | ||
| Will Singleton (Yondermountain) New Member Username: Yondermountain Post Number: 1 Registered: 02-2003 |
change the filter too!!! if you have chunks or crud in there it may be too late and a flush won't do you any good. my advice is to stay away from the jiffy lubes who usually do not change the filters (reliability issues from dropping the pan) and do the whole deal. if the fluid is grey or has not ever been serviced and it is a high mile rig, you're generally better off leaving it alone. the new fluid contains detergents, which can actually clean the crud up, but then it dislodges them and in turn clogs the filter. clogged filter=no lubrication=blown transmission. JE-mobil 1 is great...i personally use amsoil, but i would be highly pessimistic about leaving the paper element in there for 100,000!!! also i dont see how changing the filter increases the chance of particles being sucked into the valve body either.....unless your changing it in a sandstorm or something. just my .02 |
