Have this strange vibration when accelerating nearly every time. 30-50mph zone then it goes away. Not very often but have the same behaviour when using the reverse gear.

The car has been with us for a year and had a warranty but aStratstone technicians couldn't diagnose what's causing it. Basically after 2-3 visits they refused to deal with it anymore as they exhausted all their resources and are not paid by warranty company for diagnosing faults.

A good friend said it may be a torque converter.

Can anyone comment on that? The car has had a pair of injectors replaced as well as one egr valve as part of Stratstone trying to sort it out. I believe all 3 were logging some fault codes. Ever since they've changed those there are no more obvious codes but the vibration is still there.

We're now over 100k on the clock and out of warranty as a result so it's my time now to try and fix it.

Let me know what you think guys. Any pointers welcome.

I'd second the TC suggestion.

Has it ever had a flush/fuid change?

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic33415.html

 Visiting from DISCO3.CO.UK
Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto HSE Zambezi Silver

Lost for Words, thanks for the link. Yes, the problem appears very similar to what others experience. I don't know if the fluid has been changed before so will assume that it hasn't.

Anyone successfully rebuilt their TC? Are the TC rebuild kits available at all?

Thanks again.

I don't believe a recon TC is a good idea TBH; I would (and did) simply get a new one. By the time the tranny's out, its not worth the saving IMO (he says, having spent >4k on the D3... ).

As we're assuming it hasn't had a fluid change, it is vital that the box gets some fresh fuid, or the effects can spread through the whole box, meaning a full recon or new transmission is required. It's an awful chain reaction that can be completely avoided if the boxes are flushed regularly.

If the problem appeared before it was out of warranty, I would be going back to them. I would bet that they knew full well what it was... Visiting from DISCO3.CO.UK
Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto HSE Zambezi Silver

I would suggest that you talk to Ryan at LR, he's got his own section here.

It is well known that vibrations between 30 and 50 are a direct result of the torque converter clutch (TCC), and that it is the sign of impending gearbox failure. I'm very surprised that the stealers didn't do anything about it the first time that you went to them, because if the TCC goes completely it can destroy the gearbox.

When my box started to rumble, I was advised that it should be recovered to the specialists, because if it died at the side of the road, it would make the rebuild approximately 1k more Admittedly my gearbox is the GM 5L40E, and is well documented as being made from french cheese , and that the ZF that's fitted to yours is a much stronger box. But they are well know for playing up if the gearbox doesn't receive regular oil changes / power flush. So if nothing else the stealers should have changed the oil, as this normally sorts out any issues.

Good luck  Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

Going to do a mega flush next Monday, then try to get the main dealer to replace the TC. Will update this thread.

A flush can't revert the damage, so it's not a cure, but it might, particularly in combination with a dose of Dr Tranny (seriously - not a joke!), relieve the symptoms for a while. I would be concerned though, that in your situation, that is not going to help you to get anything from the dealer, so I would be pushing for a new TC before doing anything else.  Visiting from DISCO3.CO.UK
Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto HSE Zambezi Silver

I realise that the flush is not the cure but the main dealer maintains I have to do a double flush with them as a first step. I just don't want to pay £1200 for the privilege hence why I want to use an alternative at 1/4 of the price.

Given that the new TC is nearly £1500 + VAT, I will try to get them to cover that. Worse case scenario I'll get a recon one.

Ahh, right, didn't realise you meant from the dealer. I would still be arguing that they should be paying for that too though.

I wouldn't go down the recon TC route; they're often not balanced properly etc. or if it's a ZF recon, they're almost as much as a new one anyway (new genuine ZF is about £600). I think you should be able to knock a few hundred off £1500+VAT.  Visiting from DISCO3.CO.UK
Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto HSE Zambezi Silver

The car was under LR warranty when the issue was reported so even though we're out of warranty due to mileage being >100K, Stratstone are still supporting us. Well kind of as they demand £1200 for the flush first

Where can one get a new TC for that price? That would make my life simpler as I would just get it and swap it myself.

EDIT: I've downloaded a copy of data sheet off ZF website and have a TC part number but it wouldn't come up with anything relevant.

£1200 for the flush.

Seriously, you can't pay that - It should only be a few hundred...You could probably get the TC done for that, so, in essence, I would bet they are getting you to pay for it anyway...

DIY - Do you have access to a ramp? (I decided against attempting it on the floor - in the end had a big body-off job with other stuff too.) Mine was done my Steve Norman but I have the old TC in the box which is from a place called "The Europen Transmission Parts Warehouse" "Automatic Choice Ltd". Don't know if that was a trade price or not.

(BTW, I was assuming the £1500 + VAT was fitted, but if you're expecting £1200 for a flush...?!)

Edit: Just re-checked the box. The packaging is a bit misleading - it's actually from "Automatic Choice Ltd".  Visiting from DISCO3.CO.UK
Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto HSE Zambezi Silver

The parts alone were about £600 (filter, oil?). I suspect they wouldn't even do it, just take the money then get on with TC replacement which will probably need a flush anyway? You're right though, no way I'm paying for that.

So I can't just drop the gearbox? Have to lift the body off the chassis? Can I get the engine out without lifting the body? I have an access to ramp (will need to pay to use it but available), but was hoping to DIY it.

£1500+VAT is just for the new TC. Fitting would probably be a few grand on top

EDIT: thanks for the contact, I'll give them a call to price it up.

Just had a word with Automatic Choice. They only offer rebuilt units in exchange for the core. I will need to supply the gearbox part number which is cast on the box itself but it's a LOT cheaper than the quote from LR.

The body-off method was chosen to get other stuff done too. Not sure of the differences on the L322, but on the D3, you certainly can do it body-on - but then comes the stuck bellhousing bolts and the fiddly COP brackets etc. For someone who knows what they're doing, it's under 3 hours to take the body-off a D3/RRS.

A flush pumps the fluid through, without taking the sump off, rather than draining and re-filling, which leaves a lot of oil still in the TC. It therefore requires less labour. Again, i'm not sure of the specifics with the L322 though.

The fluid is only around £10 a litre, and the filter is basically a strainer, so it's generally decided that it's not worth changing this.

On the assumption that the L322 is not dissimilar to the D3 (I'm assuming it's going to be much the same - obviously the tranny itself is), then you should comfortably be able to get the TC done for £1500 + VAT.  Visiting from DISCO3.CO.UK
Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto HSE Zambezi Silver

alx wrote:

Just had a word with Automatic Choice. They only offer rebuilt units in exchange for the core.

Odd, since mine certainly was a new unit.  Visiting from DISCO3.CO.UK
Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto HSE Zambezi Silver