X5 3.0i auto 2002, gearbox help.

[henrym3]

Thats not what you wanted to hear, I see those type of boxes are around £600 on the bay. Decision time. Buy a second hand box thats got 10 miles left in it, get yours rebuilt, sell, scrap or break if you've got the space.

[ianst0028]

I know I said check other things.... But based on that pic I think your gearbox is screwed
As Henry says... 2nd hand box might be just as bad.... Recon will hurt your bank balance badly

[Steamyrotter]

And look who comes out the woodwork....


That looks right manky (tech term) and is definitely not right.
Is it thick n sludgy??

ATF for these should be straw or red and feels quite thin

Smell it for burning too.

You could rebuild it yourself and is not that difficult really.
I had mine apart enough times I could do it in my sleep!
Getting the parts is the trick and i had a reasonably local supplier that was excellent

If you do then view:-
(insert standard post reply link here)
http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... l#msg22270

You would want to get the torque converter overhauled too at the same time.

The big killer on these is loss of pressure due to scoring of the pump and passing of solenoid and shuttle valves in the valve body.
I know a company that can overhaul the valve block and warrant it,

and also know a company that you should never NEVER EVER even think of trying as they are a bunch of......................



either way good luck.

[OverheadG]

Do those small bits mean the box is f***ed?
There's not many of them and they're not that big. Just like a pinch of crumbs?

[henrym3]

To use my newly learned tech term that does look manky (thank you steamyrotter) and no matter how small the pieces the point is there shouldn't be any PIECES, when you think  of the tolerances of a solenoid, one of those little pieces will be enough to ensure it won't work as it should. Of course you could flush it but as a rule of thumb if pieces have started to break off more will do so

[OverheadG]

Just checked and it seems that half those pieces are bits of dirt I just have kicked into the pan whilst I took it off and slid it out from under the car (got no ramps so had to do it on my back)

And that oil in the pan doesn't smell burnt, it completely smells of 10w40 or some other viscosity of engine oil.
What a joke. What kind of knob-flake fills an auto transmission with engine oil?!

Would that be a prime reason why it won't drive? Would it bung the filter up fairly quickly?

Oh and FYI the filter was like thick sludge inside. Like treacle

[X5Sport]

[quote="OverheadG"]
And that oil in the pan doesn't smell burnt, it completely smells of 10w40 or some other viscosity of engine oil.
What a joke. What kind of knob-flake fills an auto transmission with engine oil?!

Would that be a prime reason why it won't drive? Would it bung the filter up fairly quickly?
[/quote]

Someone who knew they had gearbox trouble and flogged it thinking that thicker oil would hide a problem.....or someone who wasn't prepared to pay £100+ for the right oil and thought any old rubbish would do, or a car dealership who just wanted rid as fast as possible!!  There could be a whole host of reasons - none of them good or honest >:(

No idea what sort of damage engine oil would do to seals or clutch/brake linings and it might be possible to de-contaminate everything though if it is all in bits it would be more cost effective to rebuild it.

[Steamyrotter]

The trouble is ATF and engine oil don't mix very well!!
You will need to flush it out and that will be a pain, and you won't get it all out unless you have a mega flush done

Then there will still be remnants in the torque converter.

Strip might be your best bet..

[AW8]

Mindful I am not an auto gearbox or oil expert but in absence of a fluid analysis nobody knows what that fluid is.

I accept an opinion has been given that it may be engine oil but that has not been confirmed.

As for the debris I note the comments this may be "dirt" but whether sealed until this sump drop or subject of new fluid (correct or not) it should not have dirt in it.  Surely it is normal to expect some debris....If debris did not exist there would not be any need for a filter.

I agree that anything can achieved with appropriate skill & knowledge but I do think that sometimes ax owners we have to be realistic based on what we can achieve based on what tools we have & a realistic assesment of our abilities. A skilled or experienced mechanic or engineer is more likely to have success & importantly get around nee issues than someone who has never stripped down & rebuilt an auto box.

Options based on posts above &/or my thoughts....

1. Get fluid analysed - if it's engine oil don't waste money on this box. If it is correct ATF maybe try a flush & refill. No idea on cost or who if anyone does analysis of old fluid.

2. Get a warrantied used box as replacement.

3. Get box rebuilt

4. Sell car as spares/repair or strip and sell as parts.

Apologies if above comments seem harsh.......Genuinely sorry to hear of this situation.

[AW8]

.........If considering an exchange unit check out ebay item 221305139328

I did a google search & found a positive testimonial (of the company selling the above item) on another forum

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/ ... ve.275138/

£895 outlay not ideal but could be a lot worse.....arguably better than scrapping the car if maths makes sense.

If it were my car & wanting to keep it then this would probably be my jump straight to option & without wasting time or money with a fluid analysis or change only to find original box knackered.

This assuming rest of car is good enough to make this viable & the above work worthwhile

[OverheadG]

Cheers for the comments dudes much appreciated.
And no nothing is taken as harsh as I'm here for feedback and thoughts. So again, thankyou.

Few more notes for you all

When I dropped the sump pan it was on a gravel patch under the car under a tree, so not a nice clean garage, it was in front of the house, *pic attached* (I live on a farm) hence why I accidentally kicked some sh*t into it by accident.

The car itself I managed to pick up for only 1500, and it's probably worth (fixed) about 3200-3500 (depending how long I want to sit on it for) it's only done 108k it's got MOT til jan'18 and pretty clean all round.

Bought it cheap because the engine wasn't running right. I'm pretty clued up with working on cars so it wasn't a massive task. The Vanos seals needed replacing, along with cam sensors, valve cover gasket, O2 sensor and needed a service.
Also ICV and Disa needed a clean and crank case breather needed replacing/bypassing. Oh and CEL light for knock sensor bank 2 low or something.. possibly coil pack, who knows lol.. ill get the gearbox out the way first lol.

To someone who isn't willing, it all seems a huge headache and ballache. But to me, not a problem. After all, "Being keen is half the battle!"

So anyway; bought the X5 for 1500, it's worth 3,2/3,5 so as long as the repair doesn't take me over 1700-2000 then I can hardly say I've had my pants pulled down and my bits laughed at.

The one thing I have in my favour, is time. Long MOT, I have another car as a daily and I have space to leave it sat where it is.
I just don't want to spend more than I have to. Is a warranted  refurbed box that I fit myself going to be more cost effective than getting mine rebuilt? Could I part exchange my current knackered box to get a new box? (Bit like when you buy a new alternator?)

Anyway, as I said before, but thanks for all thoughts and comments so far, much appreciated.

Cheers guys.

[X5Sport]

Doing a 'service-exchange' on the box for a warranted replacement will be your cheapest route I would think.

My only experience was with the ZF 6speed and the brand new replacement parts were about £700 from memory plus 17.5 hours of labour.  If you can swap yours for a warranted good one then that has to be worth exploring given how much you have already done. 

[henrym3]

That vehicle certainly doesn't look like it's ready for the knackers yard just yet. If you have the skills to fit a box and the time to look for a good deal then you gotta do it?

[AW8]

Unless immaculate, fault free & with history your valuation for the car sorted may be a little optimistic. The listing number I gave was for the box fitted to your car. Boxes on there own as low as £500 but be mindful there is a risk if you cant find testimonials for a seller offering warranty

[Horizon]

Does a 2002 3.0i have the ZF gearbox or the GM box ?