have heard a few worrying things about these closed system ( no maintenance required) gearboxes - and not many of them lasting longer than 150,000 miles - eeekkkk !

my car had the torque converter replaced with a reconditioned one back in November 2015 and with 129k miles on the clock, I hope they changed the ATF ( Fluid ) at the same time, although it does not say so on the invoice ???

the gearbox is fine as it goes, but I'm noticing a little hesitancy, even a small judder when accelerating (not even quickly)

Last edited by pcourtney on 8th Apr 2022 11:49pm. Edited 3 times in total

If they did the torque converter they should have replaced the fluid. You aren't being paranoid. The "sealed for life" label is a nonsense. IIRC zf recommend a gearbox oil change every 70,000.

If you have doubts get it changed. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Interesting (in the Chinese curse sense "may you live in interesting times").

Took Gloria for a first proper spin this evening 120 miles round trip to Ipswich from Kings Lynn area and back.

All good (boy, even on LPG, these BMW V8s have some impressive grunt!) and just a hint of judder especially when slowing down to a crawl/halt.

The gearbox was supposedly flushed and filter changed in 2015, now on 129k and was done around 105k, so the mileage difference is only 24k, but the vehicle seems to have spent a fair part of the intervening time parked up and going nowhere

- generally with anything mechanically dynamic, regular use is important too ("use it or lose it"), hence why manufacturers service intervals are quoted as specified mileage or time passed, ie whichever comes first.

For what these early L322s are worth in the current market then if either the transmission or the engine let go big time then it may well be scrap for spares time, so my sense is that halving the recommended interval for servicing these two key sub-systems is the way to go. "Gloria" 2002 L322 Voguish V8 LPG - carcass
"Jessica" 1996 Disco 1 300 TDi Auto
"Harriet" 1994 Disco 1 300 TDi Manual - Gone
"Daisy" 1992 Disco 1 200 TDi Manual - Gone

I think you are right, I am going to get the oil changed on the box, and also get the engine a really good full full service, change all the PCV hoses, valves, filters, the list goes on, and see where we land in 12 months time

Is there a definitive hit-list for keeping elderly BMW V8 L322s in good order eg wikified or captured in previous threads I wonder?

I'm looking to do exactly the same thing using the services of a couple of trusted mechanics hereabouts, so it would be great to know that everything sensible is covered (there is also something that looks scary in the wiki called the Beisan/VANOS mod and also cam belt tensioners, and PCV mod/preventive replacement... like you say the list goes on...)

Maybe it makes sense to use the same team to do this work (we are not a million miles apart, though I'm biased as both the chaps I have earmarked are local to me!)? "Gloria" 2002 L322 Voguish V8 LPG - carcass
"Jessica" 1996 Disco 1 300 TDi Auto
"Harriet" 1994 Disco 1 300 TDi Manual - Gone
"Daisy" 1992 Disco 1 200 TDi Manual - Gone

yes pm me

Last edited by pcourtney on 1st Jun 2020 6:56pm. Edited 2 times in total

RRPHIL on this forum is the oracle on this gearbox. Look at his posts on here. He started his own workshop to fix these but Sadly he has now retired but still visits here occasionally.

It’s not an expensive job to have the oil changed anyway, I think mine was £140 or so..

”It’s not an expensive job to have the oil changed anyway, I think mine was £140 or so..”


The correct atf would cost more than that! Current: 2004 Vogue 4.4 V8 - 2004 Discovery 2
Previous: 2000 P38 DHSE - 1995 P38 DT Man - 1990 3.9 SE Classic, 1980 3.5 Classic 2dr

just looking around and 5L of Febi Mobil LT71141 is only £30 quid delivered

Last edited by pcourtney on 1st Jun 2020 7:20pm. Edited 2 times in total

I bought some nice Range Rover L322 4.4 BMW M62 Silcone Crankcase Breather Pipes for £36 delivered, I got the Blue colour ones, as opposed to Black or Red

seriously I was shocked at how much the original hoses had detriorated over the last 15 years, why on earth Land Rover don't use quality fluorolined hoses to begin with, on such an important element of the engine.

Ebay Item Number : eBay Item No. 254267744337

Description : Please note these hoses are fluorolined to stop oil seeping through and discolouring the hose. Before you buy any other product ask if the hose is fluorolined cheaper hoses will not be fluorolined and will seep oil over time, it is essential breather pipes are fluorolined. Unlike the standard rubber OEM hoses which deteriorate over time our hoses are constructed using a high quality silicone Polyester or Nomex compound. They are further reinforced with a polyester layer to provide a more rigid structure. This item replaces the Weak OEM black plastic PCV breather pipe with high Quality reinforced Silicone item. These pipes are found at the rear and underneath of the M62 engine through which oil contamination causes engine failure such as cam cover gasket leaks.

start at post 9 below, and make sure you have everything before you start

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/how...nt.214983/

might also be worth checking on your PCV Valve at the same time, and replace if necessary

https://www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/BMW_M60_M62_...lation.htm

at the same time I also replaced my Pollen Filter, now to get my Air Con working again - it never stops

Last edited by pcourtney on 1st Jun 2020 6:57pm. Edited 1 time in total

Very best of luck with your Range Rovers Fenlander and Pcourtney. I’m playing the same game up North with my 2004 V8 L322 in 191,800 miles.

I’m not much good with a spanner. What I’ve learned over the last 3 years is proper diagnosis is everything. I’ve just shelled out to have my gearbox rebuilt as the car had gone down with the “cattle gridding” that is one of the signs of torque converter break up. However, the car is making the same noise and judder that it was before the gearbox rebuild. So my next step is to get it to a true expert to check over the diffs, driveshafts, transfer box etc.

My point is that a general mechanic can see loads of stuff to swap out under a 16 year old Range Rover. But that can get very expensive. So I think it’s worth getting the best diagnosis you can before the open wallet surgery begins!

Having said all that, I have driven 20,000 miles in it in the last 3 years and am absolutely smitten with it. I love the L322s from 2092-2005.

Best of luck with yours. 2004 L322 4.4 V8 Vogue Bonatti Grey
(205,500 miles and counting.......)

you are right, diagnosis is key, here is one thing to check below - as it happens a lot on high mileage L322's

check the "Propshaft Centre Bearing Carrier" easy enough for an indy mechanic to get this checked, or if you have access to a ramp, follow nutjobs nice video and see how the rubber is no longer centrered as it should be, its an easy check




sometimes called a Flex Disc or Giubo in BMW circles



Last edited by pcourtney on 1st Jun 2020 6:58pm. Edited 1 time in total

You might find that when they changed the oil when they did the torque converter that they put cheap dextron in... if the oil that comes out is red then you'll know it's wrong...

Always worth changing the oil yourself, then you know it's done, don't forget the filter, they are cheap from the dealers...

And remember...

The gearbox is sealed for life, the oil will last the lifetime of the gearbox. (Dealer babble)

The only problem is, is that the gearbox only lasts the life of the oil....!!!

The biggest favour you can do the M62 is to fit the lower engine thermostat to reduce under bonnet temps, they run so much better when cooler...

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic39362.html

Enjoy... Pete

__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

ebay item no. eBay Item No. 264183156370 £70 quid delivered

the video would not win him many oscars thats for sure my advice to anyone is to start watching from
seven mins in and get a long drink

and the ebay seller is now called abbes-performance

https://www.youtube.com/embed/qK0JjuCXHJA?rel=0


I am probably going to buy this 88 deg temp one though from Germany, easier for my mechanic to just get the old stat out and pop this one in ( especially when labour is £65 quid an hour - gee willy whizz )

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thermostat-Kuhl...3794784576

just got one for £71 quid delivered, shame his postage charge is 25 euros from Germany otherwise it would be a lot less, not even Fedex or DHL, but 7 day delivery, what horrible these ebay scum merchants are