VCU Life

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How long did your VCU last before failure?

  • Up to 70000 miles

    Votes: 12 19.7%

  • up to 90000 miles

    Votes: 9 14.8%

  • up to 110000 miles

    Votes: 10 16.4%

  • up to 130000 miles

    Votes: 10 16.4%

  • still going strong over 130000 miles

    Votes: 20 32.8%
  • Total voters
    61
Bromsgrove Defender said:
Why the fook dont they make a VCU that you can renew the fluid in it at say every 30,000 miles???
Click to expand...


Because it costs you money - not them. To have a refillable one, involves a manufacturing cost.

Why to peugeots have side lights that necessitate the front end removing?
Why do Vauxhalls need engine removal to change spark plugs?
Why do disco 3?? need a body removal to do simple servicing?


Because they dont care! Who pays the bill?
 
The Mad Hat Man said:
Because it costs you money - not them. To have a refillable one, involves a manufacturing cost.

Why to peugeots have side lights that necessitate the front end removing?
Why do Vauxhalls need engine removal to change spark plugs?
Why do disco 3?? need a body removal to do simple servicing?


Because they dont care! Who pays the bill?
Click to expand...

Ah yup!!



Not so Daft are ya ;) :D :D
 
Bromsgrove Defender said:
This is either completely bonkers or I'm being totally naive


Why the fook dont they make a VCU that you can renew the fluid in it at say every 30,000 miles???

Wouldn't that solve the problem??
Click to expand...

There are only a couple cars that I know of that had a viscous coupling that could have the fluid changed, but it's not a simple operation as the special silicon based fluid is around 60,000 times thicker than water!! This requires it to be pumped in, however it doesn't stop there as there needs to be an accurately controlled air space in there to!!
 
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Nodge68 said:
There are only a couple cars that I know of that had a viscous coupling that could have the fluid changed, but it's not a simple operation as the special silicon based fluid is around 60,000 times thicker than water!! This requires it to be pumped in, however it doesn't stop there as there needs to be an accurately controlled air space in there to!!
Click to expand...

As you said. Not as easy as it sounds.
 
The Mad Hat Man said:
Wouldn't measuring the IRD be betterer?
Click to expand...

Measuring the temp of the IRD is no good as it's plumbed into the cooling system which will influence it's temperature. I think measuring the rear diff temp would give a more accurate way to tell the VCU is stiffening up. The reason for my thinking is this. The diff will only warm up due to torque transfer. It's a long way behind the engine so little heat from that to influence the temp If the IRD does stiffen up we don't know actually know how stiff it is just by measuring it's temp but if the rear diff is getting really hot the then this will prove it's taking lots of torque. I've seen the rear diff boiling it's oil it was that hot!! However the VCU tested ok on a torque test. The reason for the diff to get this hot was due to a tyre fitter putting the new tyres on the front then the owner taking his Freelander for a 20 mile motorway trip! This caused the VCU to transfer much more torque than is should have over an extended period with the diff showing the result!!
I think diff temp is as important too show VCU condition as VCU temp.
 
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The Mad Hat Man said:
Why to peugeots have side lights that necessitate the front end removing?
Why do Vauxhalls need engine removal to change spark plugs?
Why do disco 3?? need a body removal to do simple servicing?

Haha love this - completely true of course and must make them cheaper to assemble, I imagine. The VCU is a nasty horrible thing that just about works and is now utterly obsolete. So we are stuck with it on our FL1's and we all know the couple of best places to go to get replacements. My pref is to run mondo but then I don't have 4x4 bla bla. I am not knocking you chaps discussion or enthusiasm to understand the bleddy thing but it is what it is!!
Click to expand...
 
DD3 said:
The Mad Hat Man said:
Why to peugeots have side lights that necessitate the front end removing?
Why do Vauxhalls need engine removal to change spark plugs?
Why do disco 3?? need a body removal to do simple servicing?

Haha love this - completely true of course and must make them cheaper to assemble, I imagine. The VCU is a nasty horrible thing that just about works and is now utterly obsolete. So we are stuck with it on our FL1's and we all know the couple of best places to go to get replacements. My pref is to run mondo but then I don't have 4x4 bla bla. I am not knocking you chaps discussion or enthusiasm to understand the bleddy thing but it is what it is!!
Click to expand...

The VCU is the name given to the Freelander's viscous coupling. The viscous coupling is still in use in lots of applications in many industry's world wide. Although most automotive applications now use more sophisticated electronic systems. Provided the Freelander's VCU is treated as a replaceable service item as would a cam belt then it's pretty trouble free!!
Click to expand...
 
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So a vcu is called a vcu?

Provided the IRD is treated as a (ir)replaceable service item as would a cam belt then it's pretty trouble free!! - but it shouldn't have to be!
Yu don't consider a diff, a gearbox or an a injun as a service item; nor should yu an IRD.
 
Nodge68 said:
There are only a couple cars that I know of that had a viscous coupling that could have the fluid changed, but it's not a simple operation as the special silicon based fluid is around 60,000 times thicker than water!! This requires it to be pumped in, however it doesn't stop there as there needs to be an accurately controlled air space in there to!!
Click to expand...

Ah!! Didn't realise that. Was kind of hoping it was only just a bit thicker than me :rolleyes: :D :D
 
The Mad Hat Man said:
So a vcu is called a vcu?

Provided the IRD is treated as a (ir)replaceable service item as would a cam belt then it's pretty trouble free!! - but it shouldn't have to be!
Yu don't consider a diff, a gearbox or an a injun as a service item; nor should yu an IRD.
Click to expand...

I ment VCU but I had a brain fart :( it's now edited ;)
 
Nodge68 said:
DD3 said:
The VCU is the name given to the Freelander's viscous coupling. The viscous coupling is still in use in lots of applications in many industry's world wide. Although most automotive applications now use more sophisticated electronic systems. Provided the Freelander's VCU is treated as a replaceable service item as would a cam belt then it's pretty trouble free!!
Click to expand...

Appreciate your better knowledge of industry uses for VCU's. My next vehicle will certainly not feature this crude (in this application) device but agree with your comment on replacement as a service item - only thing is that they aint cheap, as we know!!.
Click to expand...
 
DefUnct said:
Still haven't done the torque / turnip test (although turnip test was done by touch :D ) - once it gets warmer i'll do those and post results.

As stated, i'm at over 130k miles and still on original VCU - it can reverse at full lock with no problems (it slows a little but nothing major and doesn't seem to strain the engine).

However i've noticed that in car parks with wet or slipper floors and no snow, when turning forwards at full lock, the inside will will sometimes skip a little - is that normal? Or a sign of a duff VCU?

Anybody? :)
Click to expand...

The skipping front wheel is a good indication that the VCU is stiffening up. Then the VCU gets really stiff the wheels can skip on dry tarmac too which pits massive strain on everything!!
 
DD3 said:
Nodge68 said:
Appreciate your better knowledge of industry uses for VCU's. My next vehicle will certainly not feature this crude (in this application) device but agree with your comment on replacement as a service item - only thing is that they aint cheap, as we know!!.
Click to expand...

I agree that the viscous coupling when used as a VCU is'nt ideally suited to the application ;) but it works pretty well and provided you change it at something like 60K miles the chance of it messing up the IRD or rear diff is much reduced. Cost wise it's not massively expensive if you use a recon unit from a reputable supplier and labour wise it's only an hour or so to change. It's certainly much cheaper to change a VCU compared to the cam belts on the V6 Freelander!! The chance of you getting a new 4x4 with a viscous coupling are nil but don't expect the modern equivalent like the Haldex Coupling for instance to be any more reliable as i'v seen them failing at VCU failure mileages but cost a 4 figure sum to replace!!
Click to expand...
 
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Nodge68 said:
DD3 said:
I agree that the viscous coupling when used as a VCU is'nt ideally suited to the application ;) but it works pretty well and provided you change it at something like 60K miles the chance of it messing up the IRD or rear diff is much reduced. Cost wise it's not massively expensive if you use a recon unit from a reputable supplier and labour wise it's only an hour or so to change. It's certainly much cheaper to change a VCU compared to the cam belts on the V6 Freelander!! The chance of you getting a new 4x4 with a viscous coupling are nil but don't expect the modern equivalent like the Haldex Coupling for instance to be any more reliable as i'v seen them failing at VCU failure mileages but cost a 4 figure sum to replace!!
Click to expand...

I'm actually aiming to go back to Def / Disco permanent type 4x4. The VCU, IMO has always been a get you out of trouble system, rather than 4 wheel drive. With mine, at least the rear wheels snatch into life and drive you out reasonably effectively. Could be this is just my FL, could be that after nearly five years together, I have the itch to move on!!:)
Click to expand...
 
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Nodge68 said:
The skipping front wheel is a good indication that the VCU is stiffening up. Then the VCU gets really stiff the wheels can skip on dry tarmac too which pits massive strain on everything!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice - i wrote it wrong, turning forwards at full lock it's the rear inside wheel that skips a little - only on very low friction surfaces.
 
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