Bell Engineering VCU Test

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Mad Hat Man said:
I am still not convinced about the interpretation of the turnip test.....
if the VCU is siezed then it will be cool.
if the VCU is "open circuit" it will be cool
its operating temp is circa 100C
Click to expand...
That's all true. If the temp doesn't change after a drive then there's something suspect going on. If the temp rises quite high then there's a potential concern which needs further investigation.

The Turnip Test is looking for a variation in temp. I haven't pointed this out directly before as I wanted more results before the discussions started. Theory being those who posted or pm'd me suspect results would be asked to One Wheel Up Test. Usual problem... no response or no testing done. Changing at 70k seems to have become the rule. Doesn't always fix the problem though.

The Turnip Test (suitably named after vagrent) was created as a possible solution to peeps not being bothered to One Wheel Up Test. It's a lot easier and certainly quicker. Kneel down and lean forward and put yer arm under yer hippo. Most peeps arms will just reach the VCU. Hot tap water which is too hot to keep your hand under is normally about 56 degrees. Could be higher. So thats an easy example for those who don't have a temperature measuring device.

A reasonable variation in VCU temperature could be considered a good indication it's displaying signs the VCU is changing state inside. Anything other than this requires further investigation with the One Wheel Up Test. The VCU may be working at high temperatures inside but I'm not convinced it reaches such temperatures in normal road driving conditions. If it's not coming into play much then it won't get very warm. If it's constantly coming into play then it will be warmer, logic would suggest. Play being used to refer to "activating" or starting to "seize" during use. I sort of saw this happening during my testing. I've had mine from 10 up to 75 to 85 degrees region in a short distance (and nearly crapped meself). Waiting for it to cool gives you more than enough time to revert to normal operation and ponder the risks. Waiting for it to cool was the only option. Driving home (therefore doubling the distance travelled) or to a garage (for them to agree it burnt their hand too) would have only pushed the VCU higher, risking failure of my hippo's transmission. It's easy to heat up a VCU but not something I would suggest peeps try.

In colder ambient temperatures the VCU doesn't seem to heat up as much. I guess this is down to cool air flow cooling it more than normal. As always more results would help. That's down to peeps being bothered to do the tests. Even if they don't think they're any good, it would be nice to rule them out if they're not suitable.
 
Last edited:
Hippo said:
That's all true. If the temp doesn't change after a drive then there's something suspect going on. If the temp rises quite high then there's a potential concern which needs further investigation.

The Turnip Test is looking for a variation in temp. I haven't pointed this out directly before as I wanted more results before the discussions started. Theory being those who posted or pm'd me suspect results would be asked to One Wheel Up Test. Usual problem... no response or no testing done. Changing at 70k seems to have become the rule. Doesn't always fix the problem though.

The Turnip Test (suitably named after vagrent) was created as a possible solution to peeps not being bothered to One Wheel Up Test. It's a lot easier and certainly quicker. Kneel down and lean forward and put yer arm under yer hippo. Most peeps arms will just reach the VCU. Hot tap water which is too hot to keep your hand under is normally about 56 degrees. Could be higher. So thats an easy example for those who don't have a temperature measuring device.

A reasonable variation in VCU temperature could be considered a good indication it's displaying signs the VCU is changing state inside. Anything other than this requires further investigation with the One Wheel Up Test. The VCU may be working at high temperatures inside but I'm not convinced it reaches such temperatures in normal road driving conditions. If it's not coming into play much then it won't get very warm. If it's constantly coming into play then it will be warmer, logic would suggest. Play being used to refer to "activating" or starting to "seize" during use. I sort of saw this happening during my testing. I've had mine from 10 up to 75 to 85 degrees region in a short distance (and nearly crapped meself). Waiting for it to cool gives you more than enough time to revert to normal operation and ponder the risks. Waiting for it to cool was the only option. Driving home (therefore doubling the distance travelled) or to a garage (for them to agree it burnt their hand too) would have only pushed the VCU higher, risking failure of my hippo's transmission. It's easy to heat up a VCU but not something I would suggest peeps try.

In colder ambient temperatures the VCU doesn't seem to heat up as much. I guess this is down to cool air flow cooling it more than normal. As always more results would help. That's down to peeps being bothered to do the tests. Even if they don't think they're any good, it would be nice to rule them out if they're not suitable.
Click to expand...
i think its a good thing your trying to do hippo ,physically measuring is better than googling
 
jamesmartin said:
i think its a good thing your trying to do hippo ,physically measuring is better than googling
Click to expand...
Thanks. Now I've got some other stuff out of the way I plan to write up stuff about my testing and what happened. Hopefully peeps will realise why testing their own hippo is so important.
 
Last edited:
Hippo said:
Thanks. Now I've got some other stuff out of the way I plan to write up stuff about my testing and what happened. Hopefully peeps will realise why testing their own hippo is so important.
Click to expand...

Hippo. The only reason I know to do any sort of test (turnip or otherwise) is because of the huge amount of information you've posted on the subject. I've read other material too - most of it anecdotal - but I keep coming to the same conclusion... prevention is better than cure.

My car is relatively young and seems to have been well maintained prior to my ownership. Thanks to you and others here I'm building up the knowledge I need to keep on top of the maintenance required to keep the car 'fit and healthy'
 
I couldn't have put it better. As usual it depends on peeps bothering to actually get involved and suffers from the usual lethargy. Peeps just want answers. They can't be bothered to look or do any work themselves.
If more peeps googled, maybe they would find the answers, rather than asking the same Qs over and over again.
 
Guys. I know its been covered to death and the average life of the VCU is 70k miles. However my FL has only covered 19k but the VCU feels tight to me on full lock and feels like brakes are applied. The FL is 7 years old (06 plate Td4). I'm thinking of playing safe and taking a trip to Bell to get a recon VCU fitted. Just wondered if the VCU fluid has a shelf life as such and should be treated as a service part. I don't want it to fook my IRD and/or rear diff.
 
I did post these "turnip test" results in a vcu thread but it got lose in more pages of chat , I don't think anybody noticed it ?
Is there a test results thread to post them in ?


Right so I now have a cheap infrared laser thermometer to do the "turnip test"

2001 TD4 72,000 with original VCU , 4 matched tyre all tread within 1mm front/back .

journey from work 7 miles mostly at 30mph with traffic

outside temp - 6.2 c
IRD - 52 c
Rear diff-16c ? ( wet so could not lay under car to get at properly )
VCU- front section 12 c rear section 19 c


Will try when dry & after longer run at higher speed .
 
DTO said:
I did post these "turnip test" results in a vcu thread but it got lose in more pages of chat , I don't think anybody noticed it ?
Is there a test results thread to post them in ?


Right so I now have a cheap infrared laser thermometer to do the "turnip test"

2001 TD4 72,000 with original VCU , 4 matched tyre all tread within 1mm front/back .

journey from work 7 miles mostly at 30mph with traffic

outside temp - 6.2 c
IRD - 52 c
Rear diff-16c ? ( wet so could not lay under car to get at properly )
VCU- front section 12 c rear section 19 c


Will try when dry & after longer run at higher speed .
Click to expand...
Thanks for your results. You can have a cookie. Will set up a Turmip Test results fred soon and search for the word cookie in my posts which will help me re-find the results peeps have posted before which I've spoted. I'll copy their posts to the new fred to help collate what we have so far for the Turnip Test. I'm going to write up my thoughts on the testing I've done, what I found out, what it taught me, and open it up for comments. When peeps see the history of my testing it will make them wonder. Keep meaning to finish this but had other stuff to do. It's on it's way.
 
Last edited:
glynnp said:
Guys. I know its been covered to death and the average life of the VCU is 70k miles. However my FL has only covered 19k but the VCU feels tight to me on full lock and feels like brakes are applied. The FL is 7 years old (06 plate Td4). I'm thinking of playing safe and taking a trip to Bell to get a recon VCU fitted. Just wondered if the VCU fluid has a shelf life as such and should be treated as a service part. I don't want it to fook my IRD and/or rear diff.
Click to expand...

If it feels wrong it probably is wrong.

You are a long way from Bell but the trip will be worth it. They know what they are about so you'll come back with peace of mind.

Don't know about the shelf-life thing of the fluid. But if you can find a reason to be in their area - day out -then go for it.
 
David Drew said:
If it feels wrong it probably is wrong.

You are a long way from Bell but the trip will be worth it. They know what they are about so you'll come back with peace of mind.

Don't know about the shelf-life thing of the fluid. But if you can find a reason to be in their area - day out -then go for it.
Click to expand...

saw austin at bells yesterday asked him the same question about shelf life he said it doesnt matter how long its been sat on the shelf its all about the heat cycles it goes through when its on the car. suppose the more its used the less effective the vcu becomes
 
Vissie said:
Well never seen a single bad review about them.

If you've ever spent more than 5 minutes on a LR forum you'll know that complaining is what LR owners do.

So...
Click to expand...
I just changed my VCU for the first time and used Bell Engineering for the replacement unit as they get such great reviews from you guys on the forum. Thank you so much - I was not disappointed! Brilliant personal service and a great unit at less than half the cost of other suppliers!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Freelander 1 VCU off for car how to test
Replies
2
Views
632
GrumpyGel
GrumpyGel
xDParis64
IRD Fail???
2
Replies
25
Views
4K
Alibro
Alibro
xDParis64
VCU test result + Lift Kit
Replies
8
Views
2K
xDParis64
xDParis64
C
Automatic transmission hesitation
Replies
4
Views
1K
Captain_Black
C
N
Rear diff issues
Replies
11
Views
2K
Jimmy1981
J
Back
Top