ATF Dipstic Levels

First off excuse the daft questions but me disco didnt come with an owners manual nor have i had chance to get meself a haynes yet.

After purchasing me disco a few days ago ive give it a check over oil levels etc etc but reading the atf levels in the auto box is either worrying or im being a dipstick ive read somewhere that to check the auto box levels you have to fire it up stick it in 1st then into park so on and so forth then read it on the dipstick, could someone clarify this for me please and tell me the procedure i dont even know if it should be running or not to check this.

If this isnt the case it seems like my auto box is well overfilled and i mean well overfilled fluid level comes several inches up the stick (hence the worrying) as ive just bought it i wonder if the auto box is shagged or on its way out and its just been overfilled so that it works it seems to work ok its nice and smooth through the gears, kicksdown ok, fluid is nice and clean with no particles in it so i dont know???? i dont know sod all about auto's tbh oh and if anyone has a spare owners handbook gathering dust i could give it a loving caring home

Cheers

Sorcy said:

First off excuse the daft questions but me disco didnt come with an owners manual nor have i had chance to get meself a haynes yet.

After purchasing me disco a few days ago ive give it a check over oil levels etc etc but reading the atf levels in the auto box is either worrying or im being a dipstick ive read somewhere that to check the auto box levels you have to fire it up stick it in 1st then into park so on and so forth then read it on the dipstick, could someone clarify this for me please and tell me the procedure i dont even know if it should be running or not to check this.

If this isnt the case it seems like my auto box is well overfilled and i mean well overfilled fluid level comes several inches up the stick (hence the worrying) as ive just bought it i wonder if the auto box is shagged or on its way out and its just been overfilled so that it works it seems to work ok its nice and smooth through the gears, kicksdown ok, fluid is nice and clean with no particles in it so i dont know???? i dont know sod all about auto's tbh oh and if anyone has a spare owners handbook gathering dust i could give it a loving caring home

Cheers

Click to expand...

Hi Saucy, sorry Sorcy (just toooo tempting!!) I also have a Tdi 300 auto and they are a great vehicle - with a couple of mods done to them.

However, to your question about autobox fluid levels. This is the procedure.

1. Start the whole procedure with a cold engine. Take the dipstick out and clean it.

2. Start the motor, then select 1 and leave a couple of secs to take up drive, move to 2, then 3 then D - then R leave to take up drive, then put it in P.

3. Now use the dipstick to check the oil level. Also smell the oil - does it smell burnt? Is it a browny red rather than a bright red? If so, it needs changing.

Ok, so moving onto more general things about Tdi 300 auto:

1. They are very air-hungry, so a really clean airfilter is vital for optimum performance. Paddocks do filter kits for this car at £6.28+vat for the oil, air & fuel, all 3 !!!! So why wouldn't you have good filters in??

2. They have something called an EGR valve, this is a piece of crap and needs junking immediately. Do a search to find out more but just get rid, your car will thank you for it. Kits from ebay about £20inc new top hose.

3. They have a cat usually in the exhaust downpipe. This is NOT needed for mot purposes and restricts the exhaust - get rid asap and replace with a non-cat one. The Defender one fits at £21.25 from Paddocks or £60 for the Disco one with a bit of flexy in it. Huge difference to drivability and mpg.

4. Take off the viscous fan. This will increase your mpg and PROVIDED that you keep a regular eye on the header tank fluid level, is completely safe to do, unless you get stuck in lots of stationary traffic on a hot day.
I keep the fan in the boot just in case - takes about 30secs to reinstall !!



I get on average 33-34mpg daily and best ever of 39mpg on a long run.

These mods make the car much nicer to drive and save money on juice.

Cheers & good luck

Dave

Dont buy a Haynes manual got to The Green Oval - Home and download the rave disc for your car. Both the genuine land rover manual and the owners manual are contained on this software.
Or
Do a search on here there is plenty links to RAVE
good luck - the manual will see plenty of use and save you a fortune

Nice one thanks for the tips guys, much appreciated, one really stupid question tho after going through all the gears etc etc do i turn it off ? or leave it running in park or summat ? feel like a right tw@t asking that but if ya dont know ya dont know do ya

Sorcy said:

Nice one thanks for the tips guys, much appreciated, one really stupid question tho after going through all the gears etc etc do i turn it off ? or leave it running in park or summat ? feel like a right tw@t asking that but if ya dont know ya dont know do ya

Click to expand...

Yes sorcy, you leave the engine running.

Dave