Thanks for the replies ... So to be clear in my mind... If they removed the old oil, the old filter and then put in the correct new oil, new filter and put on a new gasket and a new sump, would it not then have needed a mega flush?

Whilst I'm unconvinced by much of the spiel, the supposed benefit of a Megaflush is that it changes all the ATF - unless you're draining the converter separately, just dropping the sump isn't going to do that.

Thanks Trommel/ all... In our case the Master Tech says he saw no evidence - either through driving the car or of shavings/ glitter or other visible alarms - that the gearbox was anything other than A1 and he seemed pleased that what he changed on ours was a good pro-active preventative and maintenance process at low miles anyway. Happy

pld118 wrote:

Thanks for the replies ... So to be clear in my mind... If they removed the old oil, the old filter and then put in the correct new oil, new filter and put on a new gasket and a new sump, would it not then have needed a mega flush?

Changing the oil and not changing the filter would be akin to having a bath and putting your dirty underwear back on

@47P2

This is one of those jobs that needs to be done by some body that does it properly.
In Australia plenty of workshops offer a "flush" of this sort on one of the most popular Australian made cars, the Holden Comodore.
It works like this, they open the fill on the trans start the engine and pull a cooler hose off, obviously plenty of (dirty) fluid comes out very fast, now they need to get the clean stuff in very fast.
Its not good to run the trans empty, this happens a bit and results in damage.
You pick the car up drive away and the trans fails in the next few days.
Im pretty sure this is where the thought that by changing the trans fluid you "dislodge debris in the trans and induce a failure" thinking comes from.

Trommel wrote:

Whilst I'm unconvinced by much of the spiel, the supposed benefit of a Megaflush is that it changes all the ATF - unless you're draining the converter separately, just dropping the sump isn't going to do that.

When you change your engine oil you fit a new filter for me its a no brainer no new filter fitted then its a waste of time i think.
Loads of micro debris and particles will be in the filter after all that's what its there for to catch the bits and clean the oil.
After a while filters need to be changed due to this and if not you can get a back pressure build up and then that can lead to filter failure.
Now that is when things will start to cost you when it pushes parts of the filter round the system.
THAT'S JUST MY THOUGHTS, NOT A LANDROVER INDI BUT BEEN IN THE MOTOR TRADE FOR 33 YEARS AND SEEN FILTERS FAIL ITS COSTLY.

I had mine done when the plastic sump became cracked. I had it replaced, including bolts, and took the opportunity to replace all the fluid and the filter. cost nearly £600.

The cost of the filter was minimal. No point not changing it. 2014 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography & 2015 3.0SDV6 HSE Lux Discovery 4
2005 4.2 Supercharged Vogue SE & 2011 3.0SDV6 HSE Discovery 4
2002 4.4 Vogue
2000 4.6 Vogue
2011 Discovery 4 3.0 HSE
2015 Discovery 4 HSE Lux
2010 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE
2009 Freelander 2 TD4.e 2009
1992 Mercedes 300D
1986 Renault 2.1 Turbo D
1976 Morris Marina 1.8

I have had a Range Rover in one for or another for 15 years.
I have always done my own servicing when it comes to consumables, Plugs, Filters and oils.
An observation I have always made with these cars is that the LOG BOOK stamps dont mean $*&T. You can get your car serviced at Land Rover and tell them all you want done is an engine oil change and the engine check light re set, they will stamp your book for you and every one in the future sees the service book as UP TO DATE.
Is a Land Rover more unreliable than any other car really?
On the point of the trans filter, I can tell you that in my experience its a case of outta sight outta mind with the trans, most people dont give a damn until it fails.
ZF make the best auto trans in the world, if you take a little care of it most likely you will get over 500,000km trouble free motoring out of it.
Sure flushing the fluid is better than not, as the trans is "SEALED FOR LIFE" sealed for life is just insane.
As has already been pointed out its a no brainer changing the filter if you are doing a flush, the extra cost versus a trans rebuild is negligible.
If you have more than 120,000km on you trans and it hasnt had a fluid change, get it done and ask the mechanic to give you an oil sample in a clear bottle, I guarantee you will feel glad that you changed the fluid when you see it.

RRBlue wrote:

I had mine done when the plastic sump became cracked. I had it replaced, including bolts, and took the opportunity to replace all the fluid and the filter. cost nearly £600.

The cost of the filter was minimal. No point not changing it.

£600 Crikey...

Crikey indeed. It was the job that made me seriously rethink who does what in future. Now I do some jobs and an independent does some. Very little goes to the main dealer. This forum is invaluable for helping me to decide who does what.

The big contributors to the £600 were the oil at £25 per litre as they used a significant volume as a flushing fluid and, of course, labour. 2014 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography & 2015 3.0SDV6 HSE Lux Discovery 4
2005 4.2 Supercharged Vogue SE & 2011 3.0SDV6 HSE Discovery 4
2002 4.4 Vogue
2000 4.6 Vogue
2011 Discovery 4 3.0 HSE
2015 Discovery 4 HSE Lux
2010 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE
2009 Freelander 2 TD4.e 2009
1992 Mercedes 300D
1986 Renault 2.1 Turbo D
1976 Morris Marina 1.8

£600.00

That's expensive ? It's not difficult a job surely?

Something to point out here though. That "Filter" which everyone's going on about is actually a STRAINER !!

Think about the engine oil pickup strainer and you're in the right ball park. When mine was done the plastic sump was removed and the strainer inspected. This is destructive BTW, it can't all be refitted afterwards. Anyway, the fluid was black and burnt but the strainer was clean. Complete waste of money changing it.

Would I megaflush without changing a strainer? Yep, every time.

Megaflush changes ALL the fluid.
Sump replacement and replacing drained fluid changes about 50% at best. It doesn't drain the TC or the pipework & cooler. Half a job then.

To quote 47P2, that would be like taking a bath......in a muddy puddle.