Sooo...

Noticed today that my Range was slow to shift gears, especially pulling away from the lights.
I thought ok it's a hot day maybe it's just time to change the fluid and filter on the gearbox. And then it happened...
All gears are gone. I can shift into any gear I want but I don't get any 'bite'.
It sometimes gives me enough for 50 yards and then when I stop it won't go again...

Currently awaiting the AA to come and help me.
Diagnostics anyone?
No bangs or crunch just the feeling that I am sitting in neutral...

Sorry to say this, but that sounds like your gearbox has failed.

Mine is not quite that bad yet, but is being "done" on Friday next week with a Sonnax valve block and new torque converter!!

Whatever happens, don't trust the LR Dealers for prices. Mine quoted my €5000 for a replacement box, and I am now getting it done for €2000 from an independent BMW mechanic.

Hey nebc100 what symptoms did yours have?
2k is not that bad and exactly what i had budgeted for.

AA just dropped me and the fatty home.
would you believe it drove the 3 yards to the ramp on the truck and then once it stopped it stayed stopped

I have a have a filter and 20 litre drum of fluid, I am tempted to see if a service would do any good?
or would i be into the wind?

No fluid leaks, bangs, crunches etc.... i wonder how bad it is?

Also if anyone around Dublin can recommend a good place to go and have it checked i would really appreciate it.

The symptoms that I have are:
Reverse worked, but when I put it in to drive I could rev the engine but didn't move.
I then tried reverse again, and it worked. Drive then worked normally.

My mechanic has confirmed these are the EARLY signs that the box is wearing out.

An oil change won't do any harm, but I doubt it will work.

Check if your oil is all shiny/sparkly. If it is, then I would forget it!!

Mine quitted 3 weeks ago, it is still driveable but slips heavy above 70kmh. I'm now getting an exchange box with sonnax valve block, better clutches, hd torque converter, changed planet drive and so on. i hope it lasts longer!

Thanks Clemenz
Sonnax Valve block seems key to fixing the gearbox along with an uprated TC.
I guess i will have to go with anyone local who speaks that lingo.

Id be interested in what price you guys get quoted versus here considering we are all within the Euro etc

i have no company that can offer a good rebuilt here in Graz. I get mine from Berlin, they ship all over Europe. Its 2800 incl. Vat without shipping! They also change the planetery and the plates. I have a remap on the car from previous owner, car has around 205hp, milage is 130'km. I had a phone call with thr company, they say the hp are no probs for the box then. maybe i should go for mire then

maybe there is a silver lining to having a new uprated box fitted

Thanks for the quote, is that exchange?
i guess now you have to find someone to fit the thing?

What mileage have you got on the clock - around 90k by any chance? Mine failed - torque converter burnt out - and so had it rebuilt with upgraded parts for around £2100 . I was told by the Company that rebuilt it that in the RR tdv6 , the gearbox commonly fails around 90k and around 100k on the BMW X5 with same engine/gearbox. I'd just done @500 miles over 90k when it failed. Steve

Main car : FFRR L405 Vogue SDV8
Other car : Vauxhall Lotus Carlton
Past cars : FFRR L322 Vogue TD6 SE (Sept 2006 MY07) ; LandCruiser SWB ; 4-Runner ; Supras; XJS V12 LeMans

I think mine is just over 91k miles.
Just curious but did you go down the Sonnax valve route when getting a rebuild?

So far everyone in Ireland I have spoken to does not do the Sonnax Valve kit.
thats not a problem if my valve body has not been damaged but if it has...

So i am considering having my box redone and an uprated TC fitted. Then at a later date having my Valve body inspected by a reputable firm in the uk. Anyone have any idea how much this alone would cost?

Why don't you order a "exchange" gearbox with the SONNAX valve block. You can then have the new one installed, and send the old one back.

Have a look at the last post on this entry:
http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic20858.html

Give them a call. They speak English.

The might be willing to ship you the gearbox, and then you just have to get it fitted.

Then send the old gearbox back.

It might be a bit more expensive, but you will at least know that you have the best possible chance that the gearbox will last a long time.

So my understanding is that not all valve blocks go bad.
But if they do... the block will require modification via the sonnax kit for any of the bad valves.
So i could have a good valve block but a bad TC? - very much open to correction here

I would have to factor in how much it would cost now to have my Gearbox swapped by an indy and then ship the box back.
But i would be open to the idea.

It kind of comes down to what i can afford right now...but i definitely want peace of mind hence the Sonnax questions.

nebc100 wrote:

Have a look at the last post on this entry:
http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic20858.html

Give them a call. They speak English.

The might be willing to ship you the gearbox, and then you just have to get it fitted.

Then send the old gearbox back.

It might be a bit more expensive, but you will at least know that you have the best possible chance that the gearbox will last a long time.

yes i spotted this one too
one of my options.

Cheers nebc100