Series 3 gear problems

Rich4 · Feb 28, 2023

Hi Everyone - I’ve just bought my first ever Land Rover a 73 Series 3 (arrived yesterday) and looking for some advice please.

Took it out for its second drive today and after about 20 minutes it’s started to loose power in 4th and then later 3rd gear. The revs go up and engine whirling but it doesn’t accelerate unless I take foot of acceleration and bring revs down. 1st gear and 2nd seem fine.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks a lot.

300bhp/ton · Feb 28, 2023

A good test drive before you buy?

Failing that. Slipping clutch or are you driving with your foot resting on the clutch pedal?

Rich4 · Feb 28, 2023

Hi thanks - yes I took it for a decent drive and seemed ok. Took it out last night for only 10 minutes but longer drive tonight which is when it started. Foot is completely off clutch after changing so the other option of slipping clutch could be it. Would it not slip in 1st and 2 nd as well though?

Is it a big job to fix slipping clutch?

kermit_rr · Feb 28, 2023

Hi and welcome
Sounds like the clutch to me. Petrol or diesel?

Rich4 · Feb 28, 2023

Thanks a lot. Yes it’s petrol. It’s been a dream to own one but the excitement didn’t last long.

I can see clutch kit ~£100 so is it an expensive job to fix?

Rich4 · Feb 28, 2023

kermit_rr said:
Hi and welcome
Sounds like the clutch to me. Petrol or diesel?

Thanks a lot. Yes it’s petrol. It’s been a dream to own one but the excitement didn’t last long.

I can see clutch kit ~£100 so is it an expensive job to fix?

Rich4 · Feb 28, 2023

kermit_rr said:
Hi and welcome
Sounds like the clutch to me. Petrol or diesel?

Thanks a lot. Yes it’s petrol. It’s been a dream to own one but the excitement didn’t last long.

I can see clutch kit ~£100 so is it an expensive job to fix?

Colthebrummie · Mar 1, 2023

The clutch isnt expensive but its a bugger of a job to do. Im dreading the day I might have to do mine. I believe it is possible to do it by sliding the gearbox back enough to get at it but usually the gearbox needs to be removed from inside the vehicle unless you are lucky enough to have a removeable crossmember. I imagine it could be done by a competent garage in a day. The problem may be a bad seal allowing oil onto the clutch plate.

Col

kermit_rr · Mar 1, 2023

It could also be a worn friction plate or weak/broken springs.
Did the gearbox many years ago, it's heavy!

brianp38dse · Mar 1, 2023

Hello and welcome

Rich4 · Mar 5, 2023

Colthebrummie said:
The clutch isnt expensive but its a bugger of a job to do. Im dreading the day I might have to do mine. I believe it is possible to do it by sliding the gearbox back enough to get at it but usually the gearbox needs to be removed from inside the vehicle unless you are lucky enough to have a removeable crossmember. I imagine it could be done by a competent garage in a day. The problem may be a bad seal allowing oil onto the clutch plate.

Col

Hi - so been out for a few short drives this week without any issues, however started up yesterday and started ‘slipping’ again even in reverse. It was also in all gears and not just 3rd and 4th. Gears are engaging as I was able to creep along in first but if I put my foot down i got high revs again and no power. Wonder if I’m doing something wrong as it was absolutely fine all week - foot definitely off the clutch. Would a slipping clutch be an intermittent problem or would it occur on every drive and it all gears as I thought it was just higher gears?

I managed to get off the drive go around the block but when getting back on drive it felt like the power returned. Is there anything I can check/ eyeball to see if oil getting in etc? I’m a novice and new to Land Rovers so want to make sure I’m not making some basic errors.

Thanks

Turboman · Mar 5, 2023

Rich4 said:
Hi - so been out for a few short drives this week without any issues, however started up yesterday and started ‘slipping’ again even in reverse. It was also in all gears and not just 3rd and 4th. Gears are engaging as I was able to creep along in first but if I put my foot down i got high revs again and no power. Wonder if I’m doing something wrong as it was absolutely fine all week - foot definitely off the clutch. Would a slipping clutch be an intermittent problem or would it occur on every drive and it all gears as I thought it was just higher gears?

I managed to get off the drive go around the block but when getting back on drive it felt like the power returned. Is there anything I can check/ eyeball to see if oil getting in etc? I’m a novice and new to Land Rovers so want to make sure I’m not making some basic errors.

Thanks

Could be the clutch plate is sticking on the splines on the gearbox shaft, but moving sometimes.
It isn't possible to see the friction plate with the clutch assembled on the flywheel.
But if there is oil in the bell housing, it will be leaking out of the wading plug hole in the bellhousing, or out of the joint of the bellhousing and engine.
Any of these issues, I think you will end up removing the clutch, and while it is out you might as well fit a whole new quality clutch, getting access to the clutch is the worst part of the job.

I have changed quite a few clutches in Series, and if I think the gearboxes themselves are OK, I usually remove the engine rather than the gearbox.
It is a bit less work than taking the gearbox out, and more of the work can be done from the top rather than under the vehicle.

lynall · Mar 5, 2023

Hand brake binding, have a feel after a run and see if the drum is warm.
Petrol or diesel? could be lack of fuel.

Easy enough to check the clutch at a standstill.

Rich4 · Mar 5, 2023

Turboman said:
Could be the clutch plate is sticking on the splines on the gearbox shaft, but moving sometimes.
It isn't possible to see the friction plate with the clutch assembled on the flywheel.
But if there is oil in the bell housing, it will be leaking out of the wading plug hole in the bellhousing, or out of the joint of the bellhousing and engine.
Any of these issues, I think you will end up removing the clutch, and while it is out you might as well fit a whole new quality clutch, getting access to the clutch is the worst part of the job.

I have changed quite a few clutches in Series, and if I think the gearboxes themselves are OK, I usually remove the engine rather than the gearbox.
It is a bit less work than taking the gearbox out, and more of the work can be done from the top rather than under the vehicle.

Thanks a lot. If the plate was sticking would I still get some power because if I ease off the acceleration it will move very slowly in low revs it’s only when I accelerate the revs shoot up and no speed?

Rich4 · Mar 5, 2023

lynall said:
Hand brake binding, have a feel after a run and see if the drum is warm.
Petrol or diesel? could be lack of fuel.

Easy enough to check the clutch at a standstill.

Thanks. It’s petrol. It’s doesn't feel like handbrake as it moves in low revs it’s when I put my foot down the revs shoot up like it’s in neutral.

What do you mean by check at standstill, something I can see or more about standing start test? Cheers

Turboman · Mar 5, 2023

Rich4 said:
Thanks a lot. If the plate was sticking would I still get some power because if I ease off the acceleration it will move very slowly in low revs it’s only when I accelerate the revs shoot up and no speed?

That all sounds quite typical of a slipping clutch.

Rich4 · Mar 5, 2023

Turboman said:
That all sounds quite typical of a slipping clutch.

Just took it out for 20 minute drive and absolutely fine with no slipping. This is probably a daft question but is there anyway a garage could diagnose the issue without having to pay for a full new clutch on the off chance it’s what’s causing it? Or will it be trial and error?

Turboman · Mar 5, 2023

Rich4 said:
Just took it out for 20 minute drive and absolutely fine with no slipping. This is probably a daft question but is there anyway a garage could diagnose the issue without having to pay for a full new clutch on the off chance it’s what’s causing it? Or will it be trial and error?

If it is working, I would just keep going. The worst that can happen is that you will have to be recovered if it gives up altogether.
At the other end of the scale, a plate sticking on the splines can free up, in which case the problem will go away.

Garages. Can't really comment on that. A lot of garages won't even work on Series now. Some will, but maybe not very well. A lot of modern mechanics aren't comfortable without a diagnostic socket these days. You will have to phone around, and find out who does what round you.

On a more general level, do you know anything about the history of the vehicle, such as has it been laid up for a long time?
Some problems are more common on vehicles that are under-used, others are caused by wear, which is more common if the vehicle has been used a lot.

Pictures of the vehicle are always helpful. They will not diagnose this fault, but do give an idea of how well the vehicle has been cared for in it's lifetime.
Also, a more accurate location would help. An experienced local member might come and have a look at it for you, but England is quite a big place.
Don't post your postcode or street. Just the nearest town will do.

lynall · Mar 5, 2023

Rich4 said:
Thanks. It’s petrol. It’s doesn't feel like handbrake as it moves in low revs it’s when I put my foot down the revs shoot up like it’s in neutral.

What do you mean by check at standstill, something I can see or more about standing start test? Cheers

Simply car at standstill engine running with handbrake on, in first gear and try and gently pull away, it is stalls shes a goodun, if the revs rise and you dont move then you have a clutch problem.
Do not torture the clutch when carrying out this test, if it stalls then thats good enough.
Could be as simple as oil on friction plate or just sticky splines etc, and simply using it has fixed it.

Rich4 · Mar 5, 2023

Turboman said:
If it is working, I would just keep going. The worst that can happen is that you will have to be recovered if it gives up altogether.
At the other end of the scale, a plate sticking on the splines can free up, in which case the problem will go away.

Garages. Can't really comment on that. A lot of garages won't even work on Series now. Some will, but maybe not very well. A lot of modern mechanics aren't comfortable without a diagnostic socket these days. You will have to phone around, and find out who does what round you.

On a more general level, do you know anything about the history of the vehicle, such as has it been laid up for a long time?
Some problems are more common on vehicles that are under-used, others are caused by wear, which is more common if the vehicle has been used a lot.

Pictures of the vehicle are always helpful. They will not diagnose this fault, but do give an idea of how well the vehicle has been cared for in it's lifetime.
Also, a more accurate location would help. An experienced local member might come and have a look at it for you, but England is quite a big place.
Don't post your postcode or street. Just the nearest town will do.

Really helpful thanks. I live just outside of Sunderland tyne and wear.

Series 3 gear problems

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