I am looking at getting a circa 2004 L322 TD6. I note that many of the higher mileage cars, 120k plus, have had a replacement gearbox at some point. This to me seems like a good thing as someone else has had the expense and hassle of doing what sounds like an inevitable job. Having said that, I am trying to get one with nearer 100k on the clock, and many of these don't mention a gearbox replacement. Am I being silly going for a lower mileage one that hasn't had the box changed/reconditioned. Is it just a job that I will almost certainly have to do at some point? Is it better to buy a higher mileage car with a bill for a recent box? The big question of course is, how much does it cost to replace/recondition a gearbox in one of these? There must be plenty of experience on here judging by how many I have seen that have had this work done.
L322 L322 gearbox dilemma get one already done or not?
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davidsmith1307
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They don't all need replacement and you can't necessarily guarantee the quality of any recon that has been put in.
I asked The Expert about going for a preemptive strike and replacing the valve block before it fails. This was his response:
"[...]I think a pre-emptive valve body upgrade with Sonnax valves would be a smart move. Or at the very least get your old one checked out by having it tested on a Hydra-Test machine. If the old one has been delivering low hydraulic pressures for a while and the TC lock-up clutch is badly worn then obviously it won't fix that - ideally you would swap out the torque converter at the same time. A re-manufactured TC, fresh oil & filter and an upgraded valve body assembly should give the transmission a new lease of life and you could hopefully look forward to some strong reliability from your transmission for the next few years."
I asked The Expert about going for a preemptive strike and replacing the valve block before it fails. This was his response:
"[...]I think a pre-emptive valve body upgrade with Sonnax valves would be a smart move. Or at the very least get your old one checked out by having it tested on a Hydra-Test machine. If the old one has been delivering low hydraulic pressures for a while and the TC lock-up clutch is badly worn then obviously it won't fix that - ideally you would swap out the torque converter at the same time. A re-manufactured TC, fresh oil & filter and an upgraded valve body assembly should give the transmission a new lease of life and you could hopefully look forward to some strong reliability from your transmission for the next few years."
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To make a minor correction Davids statement above....
The Td6 GM box will need replacement/work at some point in their lives.....it is not a case of if but when on the GM5 box!
The Td6 GM box will need replacement/work at some point in their lives.....it is not a case of if but when on the GM5 box!
gold rover
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holidaychicken
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As David says though the transmission fails due to the TC dumping metallic debris into the workings which is caused by the low pressure from the valve body, something that is often not addressed when the box is so called refurbished which simply buys you another 10K miles.
There are other parts that can wear in the transmission I would imagine but I don't think they get chance to live a full and happy life thanks to the valve body.
Unless there is a guarantee of a full refurb including valve body then I would be whipping out the valve body and having it tested or better still buy a 4.4 v8 and then do the same
There are other parts that can wear in the transmission I would imagine but I don't think they get chance to live a full and happy life thanks to the valve body.
Unless there is a guarantee of a full refurb including valve body then I would be whipping out the valve body and having it tested or better still buy a 4.4 v8 and then do the same
Gmacz
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Buy a classic and you wont have this problem.
bmw never got their dirty fingers into that one.
You only have to deal with terrible build quality and terminal rust with the classic,
bmw never got their dirty fingers into that one.
You only have to deal with terrible build quality and terminal rust with the classic,
Thank you all for the replies. Some good food for thought there.
In response to the above, I already have one! Its a 1987 2.4td. It's been sat in my garage, and down the side of my house for over 10 years. I took it off the road to get some work done, welding to floors etc, and never got around to it. It still starts, but I would hate to think how much work it would need to get it back on the road. The headlining is not so much hanging, as draping across the seats
Will probably get around to listing it on eBay at some point. Really don't think I am ever going to get around to fixing it. Too many other projects!
Buy a classic and you wont have this problem.
bmw never got their dirty fingers into that one.
You only have to deal with terrible build quality and terminal rust with the classic,
In response to the above, I already have one! Its a 1987 2.4td. It's been sat in my garage, and down the side of my house for over 10 years. I took it off the road to get some work done, welding to floors etc, and never got around to it. It still starts, but I would hate to think how much work it would need to get it back on the road. The headlining is not so much hanging, as draping across the seats
Will probably get around to listing it on eBay at some point. Really don't think I am ever going to get around to fixing it. Too many other projects!
Gmacz
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We need pics.
Inside and out and under bonnet.
Inside and out and under bonnet.
