The dreaded auto box failure

Hello chaps, sorry to raise this well worn subject but I could do with some pointers. First off I've got a 2008 TDV8 Vouge, 139k on the clock. I took it for servicing last week and given there was no history on the gearbox being serviced (Or not!) then I followed given wisdom and had the autobox fluid and filters changed. Great !!...for the first 50 miles then the dreaded juddering started, 2nd into 3rd, 30 mph, approx 2000RPM.... so it seems the new fluid has found the embedded failure !
Question is though from experience of others, how long will it continue to judder before it gives up totally ?? Whats the cost been to repair ? Or is it simply buy a recon box and take the hit ?

Real life experiences and resolutions really appreciated. What stinks is that whilst in for service I had a load of other work done so I'm already looking at a £2k bill probably and now this !!

Think you're looking at @Bemble , @holidaychicken or @Saint.V8 .

If on a budget I guess it wouldn't hurt to try some Lucas transmission fix to try and flush for for a bit and then replace again and hope it fixes itself?

Well I've phoned the garage who does the work for me and I'm letting them get me some options, prices. My big concern is how much can I use it till I bugger it up completely !! My problem is I work away from home so I'm using it to get to work, did 150 miles this morning to get to work, didn't get any worse but I'm assuming it will soon. I've read others experiences on this and the outcome is rarely less than big money !! The cheap fixes don't seem to last long.... Oh joy !!

Was the correct fluid used, it must be the correct one not just atf.

brianp38dse said:

Was the correct fluid used, it must be the correct one not just atf.

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Well I'm hoping so ! But its a good point and I'll ask them when they get back to me.

When they did the fluid and filter change, did they do a complete flush using a machine (sometimes called a megaflush or something like that)?

ATF in all guises, is a fantastic detergent and cleans things really well, sometimes with a complete flush with 100% new fluid can cause whats called New Fluid Syndrome.....

Hidden in all the harmless nooks and crannies in the box is debris and gunge that has found a little hidey hole away from danger....in its position it is harmless and incognito.

When new fluid is added, it starts to clean and dislodge this harmless gunge and dumps it all in the box which can prematurely wear components and friction material etc. If it gets caught in the valve block it can cause pressure fluctuations in the system causing juddering and slipping, the ECU will try an compensate for it by modulating the valves more and etc....all of this just increases the wear on the components etc.

Now, I am not saying this is the cause on yours, but if you experienced zero issues before the fluid/filter change and now you do....it is highly likely this has occured.

The later model L322's had much better and stronger gearboxes, like all things mechanical they can break or wear, but they don't exhibit the same tendancy to lunch themselves at the drop of a hat like the earlier models do.

I would first ask the garage for the spec of the oil used, whether they did a complete system flush and refill with new fluid, and ensure a genuine filter was fitted.

After that, it may be prudent to drain the fluid out of the sump and check its colour and condition, if it is discoloured already, it could be a sign, that it has cleaned the harmless muck out of the box and into the fluid.

Wether it needs a rebuild I can't say and wouldn't know, Bemble is the de facto genius on these things....but a look at the fluid wouldn't go a miss as a first item!

Thanks, that's very very useful !! I did wonder about the age of the car and these problems....being a 2008 I'd assumed (maybe wrongly) that Land Rover would have addressed these early faults and if its a stronger box then in theory they have.... What made me think it was(is) a failure is the symptoms just seem uncannily like the failures others posted on here. I'll ask the garage about the flushing, something tells me it was simply drained and replaced.

isn't the judder more related to the torque converter than the actual transmission?

davidsmith1307 said:

isn't the judder more related to the torque converter than the actual transmission?

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I've read that myself but don't know enough about the relationship

As per Saint's reply, if it was operating fine before then it's 99% new fluid syndrome.
Imo if it transpires that the garage threw in the wrong fluid then I'd seriously consider finding a better outfit to do future work, there really is no excuse for such mechanical disregard.

If it was just a sump dump then you will need probably another couple of dumps in the ensuing 1-2k miles because a sump dump will only liberate just over half the total g/box capacity.

Personally I would have another sump dump done right now and see where you are with it before considering have adaptions reset, I think it's just having a fit of pique with the newly scoured gunk playing havoc in the solenoids, but @Bemble is the aforementioned God with boxes.

Good luck.

The Torque Converter judder is well documented, and the cause thereof, I have written and discussed it on a myriad of occasions.

The Torque Converter is fed with the same fluid as the box as it is all on the same circuit. The TC contains a lock up clutch to prevent slippage. This is controlled by a valve in the valve in the block, if the valve is worn or the friction material on the torque converter is contaminated or worn, it can cause judder.....friction material wear is associated with mechanical use and also if the fluid is full of debris.

Drop the sump contents and take a look at the condition of the oil.

As you had no issue before the fluid change, it can only really be the new fluid, its spec, its level, a combination of the those, or sheer dumb luck!

I'm really very grateful chaps, this is making more sense now and also I'm not so worried, could be wrong of course ! only time and flushing will tell. I've yet to hear back from the garage, for info's sake I'll let you all know how it goes. All good experience !! lol