TD4 problems

I've had my TD4ES auto since new about 5 1/2 years now and it's been
great. But now the auto moves back and forwards between gears to try
to maintain speed because there seems to be a lack of power. This can
happen on even slight inclines and there is some smoke also. Does this
mean that something very expensive to rectify has broken??

The car has been dealer serviced up till now and it's just due it's
60,000 service and that alone is expensive enough. How difficult would
it be to service the car myself or because of the electronics etc is
that not an option?

Any advice appreciated...

Sounds similar prob to mine (see connected thread) poss gear box. Local freelander dealer was brill in that service guy came with me for a drive and told me that it was the gear box without charge (though he did not put it on diagnostics). He quoted me £1100 for part and £500 labour. Ouch!!

a lot auto box problems can be solved by an oil and filter change. just because its got a stamp in a book doesn't mean that this has bin done during the servicing. not specific to the td4 but as a general auto check whip yer dipstick out and check the colour of the fluid.
it should be reddish in colour , if its brown and smells burnt try a change and see if that improves it. a blocked filter can also cause autos to do funny stuff.

course if the gaylander box int the same as the ones i've had ingnore all the above and wait fer ming or one of them others what got td4's.

i had an RAC 'mechanic' tell me auto was shot and it needed a new one when it would drive ok for a couple of hundred yards then dies, wait 10 mins and it would do another 200yds.

a change of oil and a £5 filter sorted it out.

slobmister is correct. . . . .but other things to consider is really stoopid fings like a split in turbo inlet rubbers on a manwell it will jist loose power [un smoke] but wiff an auto ,the gearbox talks to to main phooter un it sis ,er ive lost power but still got torque. . . .doing 70 mph but drop a gear please. . . . . . .so moral is afor you condemn the gearbox make sure it ain't summit silly. . . .un best oh luck earthling