TDI 300 '96 Gearbox issues

TDI 300 '96 Gearbox issues

Author
Discussion

ChrisW.

Original Poster:

6,836 posts

262 months

Thursday 22nd January 2004
quotequote all
After almost 100k miles I am experiencing trouble with the 5th to 4th gear change down when the engine is very hot.

Otherwise all seems OK.

What is the history of gearbox problems at this mileage and what might be the optimum solution ?

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris W.

>>> Edited by ChrisW. on Thursday 22 January 20:54

heightswitch

6,319 posts

257 months

Friday 23rd January 2004
quotequote all
You have an R380 box fitted if you have a 300tdi. I think that a lot of the horror stories about this gearbox are a lot less of a problem than people make out.

How far you want to take it yourself depends on how familiar you are with the oily bits.

First step is to ensure that your selector fingers on the top of the gearstick are correctly adjusted. If they are ok, then you have a problem with the selector rods and shaft inside the gearbox top casing. Esentially the selector forks are held on the shaft with grub screws, these screws can slacken of and give selection problems due to the forks moving on the shaft in and out of alignment. A good test to prove this theory is to go on a motorway run and for a little while get your landy up to 80-90mph so its vibrating a bit. Then slow down and see if the feel of your gearbox through the gears has changed. When It happened to me I found that sometimes the selection was biased to 2nd / 3rd ands sometimes 4th / 5th.

It cost me about £120 to have the gearbox lowered, top box removed and all the loose screws tightened. I would think this is your first port of call.

Neil.

ChrisW.

Original Poster:

6,836 posts

262 months

Friday 23rd January 2004
quotequote all
Neil, Thankyou.
I favour a very good independant Leeds dealer who --- if the very worst were to be the case, I could safely invite to renew the gearbox and clutch (whilst they are at it).
So, I'll leave the oily bits to them.
However, I have this rather romantic notion that my well loved Landie shoud be good for 200,00 miles, even if I do tow 1500Kg of trailer and livestock on a regular basis.

heightswitch

6,319 posts

257 months

Sunday 25th January 2004
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I had mine sorted at steve parker in Whitworth, near Rochdale. Also I would thoroughly recommend the Land Rover centre in Huddersfield. It sounds as if it is a selector shaft problem, rather than a wear problem. Usually the box will not shift sweetly when cold if excessive wear is in mainshaft area.

hope it all turns out ok.
Neil.

heightswitch

6,319 posts

257 months

Sunday 25th January 2004
quotequote all
just had a thought. when you drop from 5th to 4th, can you hear the reverse lockout pin pop into place to stop you selecting reverse?

Neil.

ChrisW.

Original Poster:

6,836 posts

262 months

Wednesday 28th January 2004
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Neil Thanks for all your help --- but I'm afraid I wouldn't know what a popping lockout thingy sounds like ! Chris.

>> Edited by ChrisW. on Wednesday 28th January 19:26

heightswitch

6,319 posts

257 months

Wednesday 28th January 2004
quotequote all
Simple.
select 5th gear when the engine is switched off and you are stationary. pull the gearlever back to select 4th gear in the normal manner. you should hear a definite click from the gearbox. this is a spring loaded pin which prevents you from accidentally selecting reverse gear when you are making the change to 4th. If you do not hear a definitife click then it could be that the pin is not fully disengaging and is causing you to baulk the gear change between 5th and 4th.

Neil.

ChrisW.

Original Poster:

6,836 posts

262 months

Sunday 8th February 2004
quotequote all
Thanks Neil.
Apologies for teh delay -- I've been away.
Yes, it clicks.
Any other thoughts ?
Thanks,
Chris.