P38 2.5 DSE Automatic Gearbox

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damosmokie

New Member
Posts
28
Hi all I'm new to this site. I have a 1997 Range Rover 2.5 DSE which has been great up until now. It has done 174000 miles. Now it will not drive and has an orange car warning light on the dash with an arrow underneath it. I can start it up on idle and then this metallic noise starts it sounds like someone is trying to escape from the gearbox with hammers. Since this has happened it now revs up on its own. I have been told it could be the Flex Plate is this common. Is there a way I can check without removing the gearbox? If I was to drop the sump could I see anything? If I do have to remove the gearbox is this massive job? Any help would be appreciated.
 
damosmokie said:
Hi all I'm new to this site. I have a 1997 Range Rover 2.5 DSE which has been great up until now. It has done 174000 miles. Now it will not drive and has an orange car warning light on the dash with an arrow underneath it. I can start it up on idle and then this metallic noise starts it sounds like someone is trying to escape from the gearbox with hammers. Since this has happened it now revs up on its own. I have been told it could be the Flex Plate is this common. Is there a way I can check without removing the gearbox? If I was to drop the sump could I see anything? If I do have to remove the gearbox is this massive job? Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

The orange warning light you mention is a fault with the Electronic Air Suspension. Have you checked the oil level in the gearbox? I've heard that the box can be pulled back enough to work on the flexplate, though I have never tried this. The gearboxes are very heavy.
 
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jamesmartin said:
flex plate is on rear of engine inside bell housing not gear box
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Thanks. Do you think this would be the cause of my metallic noise? It will start & idle but then this metallic noise starts and sounds to be coming from where the starter motor bolts up. I have removed & checked the starter and it looks fine. Can I remove the sump to see more of the flex plate for damage?
 
sounds like flex plate to me removing sump wont help should be access on front of bell housing at the bottom ,starter runs on different plate to torque convertor
 
jamesmartin said:
sounds like flex plate to me removing sump wont help should be access on front of bell housing at the bottom ,starter runs on different plate to torque convertor
Click to expand...

Thanks very much. Going to get it up on my mates ramp tomorrow to have a look so will see if I can see any damage to flex plate.
 
sometimes you can see it split were t/c bolts other times you cant as it breaks behind its locater boss,but you should see evidence if engine turned over
 
If I find that my flex plate is broken today. Can I just slide the gearbox back out of the way to access the flex plate or would it have to be a full removal?
 
damosmokie said:
If I find that my flex plate is broken today. Can I just slide the gearbox back out of the way to access the flex plate or would it have to be a full removal?
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Should be able to be slid back and supported but make sure you take the torque convertor back with it.
 
Hi I have finally got my Range Rover up in the air today on my mates ramp now i removed the inspection plate and found 3-4 quite big lumps of mashed up metal now it is quite thin metal as I can bend it by hand. I think it may be metal from my T/C not the flex plate as the metal is thicker. Does this fit in with anyone's ideas?
 
damosmokie said:
Hi I have finally got my Range Rover up in the air today on my mates ramp now i removed the inspection plate and found 3-4 quite big lumps of mashed up metal now it is quite thin metal as I can bend it by hand. I think it may be metal from my T/C not the flex plate as the metal is thicker. Does this fit in with anyone's ideas?
Click to expand...
:eek: Sounds like the box needs to come off.
 
Full removal but you don't have to drop it out the you can slide it back but seeing as you have undone all cables and connectors you might as well have the extrA space .

Bottom of bell housing 3 bolts to inspection plate as James says get some one to turn over engine the flywheel side will spin but the flex plate TQ Will not if its cracked around the boss that's bolted to the flywheel .
 
damosmokie said:
Hi I have finally got my Range Rover up in the air today on my mates ramp now i removed the inspection plate and found 3-4 quite big lumps of mashed up metal now it is quite thin metal as I can bend it by hand. I think it may be metal from my T/C not the flex plate as the metal is thicker. Does this fit in with anyone's ideas?
Click to expand...

:eek::eek: mashed up pieces of metal that you can bend by hand?? If I'm not mistaken, there aren't any easily malleable metals as you describe in that area of the drivetrain? Photos of what you're dealing with there wouldn't be such a bad idea....
 
It will be the flex plate where it has gone broke away from its boss . Every time the engine is run it will act like a shredder the flex plate will still be bolted to the TQ and the boss to the flywheel as that's where it will break its designed to be the weakest link .heres a picture of one for sale they are only £57 new look a the circle where the bolt holes are that's probably where its snapped

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=290895544201&index=6&nav=SEARCH&nid=47023710424
 
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damosmokie said:
Hi I have finally got my Range Rover up in the air today on my mates ramp now i removed the inspection plate and found 3-4 quite big lumps of mashed up metal now it is quite thin metal as I can bend it by hand. I think it may be metal from my T/C not the flex plate as the metal is thicker. Does this fit in with anyone's ideas?
Click to expand...

I wonder how he got along getting that problem resolved....
 
Hi I havn't had the time so I'm going to get ripped in to it on Monday. I am quite mechanically minded & have removed several gearboxes over the years. Now I was wondering is there a guide or a how to? Its just I don't want to remove or unbolt anything that I don't need to.

If the flex plate is broken is it normal for the engine to stall/die when I select a gear? Idles fine until a gear is selected.
 
damosmokie said:
Hi I havn't had the time so I'm going to get ripped in to it on Monday. I am quite mechanically minded & have removed several gearboxes over the years. Now I was wondering is there a guide or a how to? Its just I don't want to remove or unbolt anything that I don't need to.

If the flex plate is broken is it normal for the engine to stall/die when I select a gear? Idles fine until a gear is selected.
Click to expand...
drain the oil and check condition ,colour debris etc first
 
It should not affect idle that's would need diagnostics to check your engine rpm yes check every thing first ie turn engine over the correct way by hand and see if the TQ is turning too as long as your turning over by hand you can put a spanner on one off the TQ nuts through the inspection hole as the bottom just in case its still dragging the TQ around with it if the spanner locks solid and the engine still turns its broke away .
Although some times they can just crack and clutter rather than of broken free
 
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