Torque Converter Slip on '04 TD5 Auto

Can anyone offer any advice on the Lock up point on the Torque Converter on my '04 TD5 Disco.
I bought it about 6 weeks ago, with 33K on the clock, when towing my caravan (1,600 Kg's) at 56 mph, the revs are holding around the 2,800 r.p.m to 3,000 r.p.m mark making it properly noisy and causing the fuel guage to head south at an alarming rate!!
I'm concerned this is going to cause incresed wear and possible premature failure of the components within the gearbox or Torque Converter.
My truck is under warranty for a while yet, so I'm keen to get any probs sorted out before the bills become my problem.
Any info greatly appreciated.

adj said:

Can anyone offer any advice on the Lock up point on the Torque Converter on my '04 TD5 Disco.
I bought it about 6 weeks ago, with 33K on the clock, when towing my caravan (1,600 Kg's) at 56 mph, the revs are holding around the 2,800 r.p.m to 3,000 r.p.m mark making it properly noisy and causing the fuel guage to head south at an alarming rate!!
I'm concerned this is going to cause incresed wear and possible premature failure of the components within the gearbox or Torque Converter.
My truck is under warranty for a while yet, so I'm keen to get any probs sorted out before the bills become my problem.
Any info greatly appreciated.

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At that speed you should have Torque converter lock-up unless you are giving it too much pedal. Assuming you are on a flat road, try easing back slightly once you are above 56mph and it should slot in.

Also another test. With the van on the back, select 3 rather than D and get it up to above 50mph then again ease back slightly and you should enter the "lock-up" zone!

As the big lad says go up to 60 back off the gas and it should drop in they take a bit of getting used too a car they aint

Thanks for the advice.

I tried it today and it appears to goes into "lock up" ok when not towing.

I'm gonna be towing my mates boat tomorrow, it's not as heavy as the van but at least I can get a bit of throttle control practise with a slightly lighter load!!

Would you recommend using cruise control or driving by pedal when towing?

I would use throttle mate the chances of cruising for any length of time on our roads are a pain it will give you chance to know your motor

adj said:

Thanks for the advice.

I tried it today and it appears to goes into "lock up" ok when not towing.

I'm gonna be towing my mates boat tomorrow, it's not as heavy as the van but at least I can get a bit of throttle control practise with a slightly lighter load!!

Would you recommend using cruise control or driving by pedal when towing?

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My advice: don't use Cruise Control when towing and my reasoning is this:

Imagine that you have set 55mph on the CC, you are going along a flat road and everything is "hunky-dory". You come to a hill and start to lose speed so the CC gives more pedal to compensate, it's not enough so the CC thinks "give it loads". As soon as it does, you drop out of Torque Converter (TC) lock-up, you will lose momentum and there is loads more engine noise.

If you were manually controlling the throttle you would be more aware of the effects of the hill, you would select third, it would go into 3rd with TC lock-up and at 50mph you would be doing 2500rpms and capable of climbing any hill.

That's how I have learnt to do it and it works for me. I make better progress with less frustration and thrash, and better mpg.

My latest trip was 800kms, with 2tons plus towing and I averaged 28.75mpg over the trip.

Cheers
Dave

thebiglad said:

My latest trip was 800kms, with 2tons plus towing and I averaged 28.75mpg over the trip.

Cheers
Dave

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Until now I haven't been able to get that mpg without towing
2 weeks ago did a highway trip of 270 km at 110KMh, only than managed to do 9,8L/100km.
Hope the de-cat and de-egr (that have been done afterwards) will work that figure down a bit (or the mpg up )

Regards, Koen

Many thanks everyone, absolutely cracking advice!!
Returned just shy of 30 M.P.G towing the boat!!
Looking forward to trying it with the van on, but unfortunately the truck's off the road for the third time in 6 weeks, with another leak in the ACE system.
Dealer has agreed to replace actuator under warranty, so fingers crossed it'll be back for me to play with soon.

30 mpg towing a boat??
I hardly get that when doing constant 110km/u (65-70 miles/h)

I don't know why I don't get the same amount of mpg as some on here.
...maybe my foot.

But when setting off, you have to put it at about 2500 revs, otherwise it doesn't go anywhere, not?

Regards, Koen

stormy_be said:

30 mpg towing a boat??
I hardly get that when doing constant 110km/u (65-70 miles/h)

I don't know why I don't get the same amount of mpg as some on here.
...maybe my foot.

But when setting off, you have to put it at about 2500 revs, otherwise it doesn't go anywhere, not?

Regards, Koen

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Hi Koen, yes to take off (with an auto) you need to get the revs up to, as you say, about 2500 and keep it there until you achieve cruising speed.

Bear in mind that these are a much more modern diesel engine than the previous TDi's and in standard trim require more revs. However I just drove my mates remapped TD5 manual and with the engine tune there is loads more low-down torque so you can keep in top gear for much longer. Romps up hills like no Disco I've ever driven !!! And this is achieved with over-sized wheels so what would a normally geared one feel like.

Next week I'm in England to have mine done, so I'll let you know - can't wait.

Cheers
Dave

thebiglad said:

Next week I'm in England to have mine done, so I'll let you know - can't wait.

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Sure do let me know.

But everybody speaks about 30 mpg (and more)
I only get 23-25 mpg, without towing anything, with deCAT, deEGR and K&N.
The autobox is never in sport-mode, I rairly floor it (only for kick-down, 2 secs).
But yes, I do short trips, and stop-start on B-roads and intersections.

Regards, Koen