Hi. Just looking for some opinions and advice.

Our 02 plate 4.4 v8 range rover is in the garage today to have a few problems sorted. Fuel gauge not reading correct. Gearbox inhibitor switch faulty. Steering column lock faulty. They advised on this that range rover have said to drill a hole in column and lube with wd40, I have heard of this but am not convinced it's the best way to sort it.

Most importantly is the gearbox issue. This is our second range rover of this age and the gearbox in this one is alot smoother and quieter than the previous car we had and we have had no problems at all with it, apart from the transmission overheat warning had popped up a few times with associated symptoms of the lower gears being held onto. This only seams to happen when the lpg system is on. They also saud they dont recommend lpg systems on these range rovers. Anyway. This same messege popped up on our last rsnge rover and it turned out to be a faulty gearbox temperature sensor, which I replaced myself and never had a problem again. I am being told that it needs a new gearbox because the bands are worn and are slipping. I wouldn't know if this sounds correct or not but I know the gearbox performs perfectly other than this message popping up a couple of times and it has only done so when I drive it and with lpg on, i do tend to drive a bit aggressive too.

Any advise would be welcome thanks. Would this message pop up because of work bands?

Have you replaced the temperature sensor on this gearbox yet? Alex

2018 Skoda Kodiaq vRS
2009 Caterham Supersport Race car
2007 M5 Touring
2005 Range Rover Vogue SE Supercharged
2004 SL55 AMG

No

Have they not looked at rad and gearbox oil cooler before the diagnosis telling you to get a new gearbox? Surely if there's an overheat warning coming up that would be the first investigation?

Not that am aware of. How would they know the bands are worn?

I presume they drained the gearbox oil?

Would that then show particles in the oil? Am yet to go pick the car up. Obviouslu not havong a new gearbox fitted till am sure of what's going on especially as it's been working ok.

Yes. Burnt oil and swarf would be in it

Ok. Got range rover back. Nothing has been fixed. Just charged me the diagnostic fee.

Fuel gauge.. requires full tank for further investigate.

Park switch... suspect park switch, well I knew thst already. Am going to try cleaning it.

Steering column lock... They went and drilled a hole on it, sprayed wd40. Not fixed it. Suggested new column.

Gearbox overheating message and holding onto lower gear... They put struggles to get into higher gears when hot, found mechanical torque converter fault, suspect slipping under load. Requires further investigation by gearbox specialist. The transmission overheat light intermittently being on suspect caused by slipping.

Engine management light on... found various faults. Cleared. Purge valve fault remains but no light on. Suspect light on dash caused by up stream 02 sensors.

I have no idea what that last fault it but am not convinced by the gearbox diagnosis. I think I will take it elsewhere to get another opinion. They didn't drop any oil out of it. It wouldn't surprise me if it were a cooling issue. I see from passed paperwork i got with car that it has had new radiators and pipes.

Good idea cleaning the switch yourself
I'm surprised they never drained the gearbox tbh! if your transmission has been overheating then the oils more than likely had it and I would make it a priority to drain and drop the sump.. it's actually an easy job and you could check the magnets and oil quality yourself. Best thing I ever did for my fatty was to get an iid tool. You can monitor gearbox and gearbox oil temps and could check the temp when it's playing up..it will save you a fortune in the long run.. agree with using another garage as well though..

Even if the radiator was changed, if they didn't change the oil cooler at the same time then this could account for the transmission overheat. It is sometimes caused by the lower part of the radiator (where the oil cooler is) being silted up.

If you finally diagnose a faulty transmission, then whip out put and get it over to Manchester way to let RR phil do it all. Then at least you know you have the UK's premier gearbox specialist for this type doing the job properly.

If I were you I would find a different garage.

LPG is fine on the M62 engine, better than on the Jaguar V8 as the valve seats are harder.

As for the gearbox "bands" being worn, if the guy doesn't know the difference between a box with brake bands and one with clutch packs then he shouldn't be allowed near the spanners.

The transmission cooler is easily replaced at home and lots of them do need replacing by now due to years of corrosion, dirt and internal silting.

As for WD40 being a lubricant, it's not. It's a cleaning and freeing fluid and a lubricant should be applied afterwards. Good mechanics know this as well.

So you sent your car to a garage.

They looked at all the faults you were indicating and told you they all needed fixing but did. Nothing to actually fix them apart from charge you money ???

Gearbox - as said possibly cooler is at fault or the temp sensor. Though how this would make a difference if it only does it on LpG is not clear. Phil is your man there. A PM over to him may get some answers on this.

Personally I would use a different garage.

The fuel gauge is probably the senders and it seem a relatively common problem and not a difficult fix, or difficult to show by removing the senders from the tank and bench testing them. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
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Hi. Just had a quick look atvthe iid tools on eBay, they look fairly expensive.

I changed the oil on our old range rover l322 when I had to replace the gearbox temperature sensor, it is straight forward but I didn't enjoy doing it. Found putting the oil back in the worst bit