Transfer case fluid change

[Bradders]

If you haven't changed the transfer case fluid, I have to say, it is 20 minutes well spent. My X3 has just tipped over the 100K miles, I could feel what I can only describe as a mild stutter through the auto in first and second and changing the oil has eliminated it. What a massive difference! The old fluid was a dark brown colour, the new Ravenoil, light in colour and less than £20 from John Craddocks Land Rover specialists. Easy DIY job, all you need is a 16mm spanner and a container to catch the oil (700 ml).

[derin100]

I'm considering doing this myself on my newly acquired X3 but when I watch a YouTube video on how to do this they then talk about resetting the transfer box adaptations using a scan tool...which I don't have. Is this essential?

Thanks.

[Bradders]

I stand to be corrected but I don't think this is necessary, I certainly didn't and the difference is as I say, chalk and cheese. The box seems so much smoother, with none of the juddering that I previously had under acceleration.
Regards,
Matt.

[XK8]

Hi, im all set to do this, one Q if i may:-what wizardry device did you use to pump the oil in. I have the ravenoil fluid, but noticed the filler hole is up higher than pouring angle when looked st the transfer box.

Cheers,

Tony

[Bradders]

Tony,
If I remember rightly, I put a long piece of tube over the end of the smaller filler tube and simply squeezed the bottle forcing it along the tube and into the casing. I was lucky as I had a piece of clear tubing of the right bore to make a snug fit over the filler end of the bottle.
Good luck with it.
Matt.

[XK8]

Cheers Matt, I squeezed the be-jesus our of the bottle until the fluid came out of the fill hole. Now to tell the car I’ve changed the oil, via the ista software.

BTW folks, the old oil was nasty, I strongly suggest y’all change the transfer box oil.

Diffs and gearbox will be the next oil changes.

[lezmtaylor]

Slight hijack,but, I have a 2002 4.4 E53 and am about to change the transfer box oil : does the box need to be reprogrammed.

Regards,
Lez

[Alan Gunn]

When i asked about getting this done at my local indi he said it had to be reset.
Something about wear indicator i think he said.
The Foxwell nt510 scanner does a reset but not very clued up on it myself.

[Bradders]

I have to admit that when I changed mine, I did not plug it in to any electronic wizardry, I simply changed the fluid. I would be interested to know if it makes any difference beyond changing the fluid.

Matt.

[XK8]

Hi, I read a few posts on t’web that recommend a transfer box reset (oil change) on ista. Not too sure why, but I guess it’s the difference in wear/slip measurement with old oil and new oil. I will let you know if it has made any difference once it hits the road. Just getting all the jobs done that I’ve put off over the fabulous summer, front discs, pads, trans box and EGR removal/mod. The X3 is my winter warrior, my XK8 garage queen does not like the taste of salt ) .

Tony.