5th gear gearbox stutter

[b20wht]

Driving along in slow moving traffic (35-45mph) in 5 gear I'm getting a stutter every 7-10 seconds or so, it only happens in 5th gear manual or auto mode and only when properly warmed up. I've read a few things on the net and they lead me to believe that the gearbox is on its way out! Can anyone with knowledge of this confirm or otherwise please? Its a 2004 3.0d with 125k on and its had g/box oil and filter change in the last 2-3k.

If its a new box how much am I looking at? and any drive in drive out recommendations welcomed?

[themoog]

The first thought I had was change the fluid but you stated that has been done. I had exactly the same symptoms with mine as well as a judder between gears every now and then.
The stutter you feel it the lock up clutch not fully engaging. If I were you I would do a trans service again but do it yourself if you can. Do it twice to make sure as much of the old fluid is changed with new. You can also add Dr Tranny additive which claims to sort these type of faults. I added it to mine when I did a fluid swap but as it was fresh fluid as well I cannot comment on its performance.

[b20wht]

I did the change myself 1st time round and to be honest it didn't really make much noticeable difference to anything or help to make gear changes smoother like i was hoping it would so i'm a bit reluctant to spend another £120 on it.  Would it be worth just adding the dr tranny stuff to see if it helps?

[themoog]

I would but do a fluid change as well. £120 is small change compared to the cost of a new/ secondhand/ refurbished trans.

[X5Sport]

If and only if you need to do it then.......

Repaired/Service Exchange box will be anywhere from around £1200 upwards depending upon how big a rebuild was done, and by whom.  Try to find one with a 12-month warranty on it.

If you have a specialist near you, or somewhere with an Autologic system (Bosch Autocentres should have it) it would be worth getting the transmission error codes checked.  That would at least give you an idea of what might be wrong, and if it's the box that needs doing or something else.

[b20wht]

Ok so I've decided to do another gearbox oil change before doing anything else. Can you guys confirm the oil I'm using is correct before I order it? It's Fuchs Titan atf4134 oil and going to add some of the Doctor tranny stuff recommended above. Thanks in advance guys.