Series 3 Gearbox noise

Hi
just bought a series 3 LWB. Only been driving it a week and have notice that 1st, 2nd & 3rd sound a little 'Grindy' & 'Whiney'. Is this normal for this type/age of vehicle. It's going in the garage for a full lube/oil change next week. Should I be worried about these noises. 4th sounds fine & haven't tried it in 4WD yet.

often normal because of age ,but shouldnt be if noisy in all gears except 4th ,it usuallly means layshaft bearings,as 4th gear is straight through drive and even though layshaft still turns no torque is transmitted through it as with other gears, i would look to get it sorted sooner than later,

Many thanks. I take it this is an expensive job

depends how much you do yourself ,there is gear box to remove /refit ,then gear box itself it may jusy need front layshaft bearing in front housing (bell housing) and that can be done without stripping whole box or it may be in worse condition and need rebuild which can be gear box and transfer box or just gearbox,for someone to remove box £300 ish for gearbox itself anywhere from £50 to £500 for full rebuild ,ive built quite alot and wouldnt mind advising you if you wanted to try yourself,

Thanks James.
Not sure if stripping a gearbox is not a little beyond my abilities (add tool kit) but thanks for the offer & I may take you up on it when I get better equipped.

JohnnyP said:

Hi
just bought a series 3 LWB. Only been driving it a week and have notice that 1st, 2nd & 3rd sound a little 'Grindy' & 'Whiney'. Is this normal for this type/age of vehicle. It's going in the garage for a full lube/oil change next week. Should I be worried about these noises. 4th sounds fine & haven't tried it in 4WD yet.

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The box in my old SIII SWB was awful. It graunched, howled in all gears except fourth but basically worked fine for years. Chap I sold it to still hasn't got round to replacing it so it's probably not an urgent problem.

Cheers Fella, will get it looked at eventually but am skint now having just bought the old girl.

JohnnyP said:

Cheers Fella, will get it looked at eventually but am skint now having just bought the old girl.

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That was always my problem with my SIII!

I fished out about 4 teeth out of the oil in the last year. Just came back from a 4.5k miles round trip and no probs whatsoever, Just keep her topped up!