OK, I buy the argument that "powerflushing" is best as it changes almost all of the oil whereas even a full double change (ie 14 litres) leaves 13% of the old stuff in there.

I can't find anywhere in Norfolk or Suffolk advertising this service. Anyone know of anyone?

Has anyone used these guys (Dartford) http://www.dakar.co.uk/GearFlush.htm Quoted £668 (includes filter change)

or these: (Brentwood) http://www.mercurycars.co.uk/ - quoted £330 (no filter change).

Or have any other suggestions (i.e. for this service - I have read the whole thread so am aware of the other views!)

I certainly wont be paying that kind of money for a flush!I am a tight Yorkshireman after all!!!

I was chatting to the parts guy and former tech in my local Land Rover dealership, he was talking me through my car and what goes wrong on them, what's a good idea to change etc.

He recommended changing the gearbox oil obviously, he mentioned the cost of a new gearbox should it fail, obviously that was thousands. However he also mentioned the gearbox repairer they use. The price was about £900ish if you take the gearbox to the repairer, or £1300ish if you take the car to them and they remove/recondition/refit the gearbox for you.

Based on those figures, spending £700 on a flush and oil change seems like a waste of money. May as well just change the oil and if it goes bang several thousand miles later just get the box rebuilt. A recon box with fresh oil is arguably going to be better than an old one with fresh oil in it.

With all respect, the 5 speed boxes are cheaper to repair than the 6speed boxes.

Typical recon/refurb on a 6speed box is best part of £2k...

Ok, this starts to make more sense now.

Full flush.
There is a independant offering the service in West Woodside. South Yorkshire.
Speak to Andy Eddie the eagle watch out 👀

OK, decided I'd just do a change so bought sump/filter and 11 litres of Meyle fluid & headed of to my pal's garage.

Removed sump drain plug - got 3.5/4L.

Removed sump - got 1/1.5L

5L out in total. (From other posts I was expecting 7L).

Was wondering if it was low on fluid till, despite following all the gear cycling procedures to the letter, we couldn't get 5L back in! Any ideas?

Took it for a short drive to get the TC stuff circulating.

The ZF procedure states that the oil must never go above 50C. According to the "Snap-On" analyser that was plugged in we were seeing 90C+. I think I've read that the oil & water cooling are linked so 50 would seem rather low. Can anyone comment on normal operating temperature?

Worms & cans come to mind.....

I changed a sump just last week, and that took 6L to refill, though they do usually take 7...

The temperature must not go above 50 degrees when filling the gearbox oil, or checking the level.
If it is checked above this temperature, the fluid level will be too low inside the box

im currently doing a long drain down of my Gearbox sump. I pulled the drain plug some 7 hours ago and its still dripping ( slowly ) Im not using the car next week so im going to leave it dripping to see how much more comes out .

I will post some data if anyone is interested . im also planning to cut open the filter/straining basket to see if it is actually a filter or not and again if anyone wants I will post some pics or info

Hi there,

In similar position to you, not sure whether to flush or do the manual change including filter.

In my last car, which had similar box ZF16HP I did it all myself in the end, including filter etc.

Write up here as sure similar procedure, just in case it helps:

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthr...oil+change

From what you are saying about temp, I would think the 90 degrees could be coolant temp. You can always double check using say a laser thermometer, not as accurate but gives you an idea.

Found a mobile guy that will do mine for £290 all in, no filter change just a megaflush.

Thinking from past experience to try megaflush this time at 70k as on last car very little on magnets or sump pan at 60k.

Andy

Temp is for gearbox oil temp, it has a sensor in the box and should be read with a diagnostic tool...

Viper, I'm not too sure but I would be a bit wary of doing a long drain down, if you drain all the oil out of the pump you may cause it to not pump when you refill it, some pumps need priming with oil to make them work, they won't pump air, the oil pump is run from behind the TC so hopefully it will get a feed from it but it is something to be aware of.

Personally I don't think the very small extra amount you will get out, will make much difference... Pete
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I am having a gearbox flush done on my 2007 TDV8 which is on 113k miles on Friday at a place near York. I don't know if the oil has been done before but since I have just bought the car I am doing transfer box, both diffs and gearbox. I will be sending a sample of the old oil off for analysis. I will report my findings.

MC

Fluids all changed. Gearbox oil was nowhere near as bad as some. Rear diff was pretty bad and front diff had been changed recently. Transfer box was unremarkable. Gearbox is shifting nicely but I will report back after a cold start. I have a sample and will send it off on Monday.

MC