Hi FFRR's

Am planning a L322 TD6 purchase and after much research about the foibles and potential problems of this model had a couple of questions to clarify.

Regards the auto box and its probable demise around 80-100k, I understand that fitting a Sonnax valve body and oil pump should future proof the issues of future failure due to fluid contamination from the stock valve body / oil pump soft alloy wearing and trashing the rest of the gearbox internals. But should you also look to upgrade the torque converter with a unit from the likes of Roadblaster (http://www.roadblastertorqueconverters.com.au) to stop that self destructing and again trashing the rest of the gearbox internals? Any thing else to bear in mind when the auto box finally gives up? Good to have an idea of at least one of the future money pit areas on a L322.

Understand that any autobox refurb should include the oil cooler and pipes. Also that post purchase transmission & filter change should postpone or indicate the inevitable transmission failure on these cars.

Any further info gratefully received.

Cheers JK

Welcome to the forum JK.

Just to point out that, here in the UK at least, there’s no such thing as a ‘Sonnax valve body’. Sonnax did sell remanufactured units for a while in the USA when they acquired the business of Valve Body Xpress but I don’t think they’re any longer available : http://www.sonnax.com/parts/4120-remanufactured-valve-body

However, Sonnax do still produce a number of different replacement valves for the GM 5L40-E valve blocks/pump cover and it’s only through vacuum testing, or ideally a full diagnostics check on a Hydra-Test or Axiline machine, that it can be determined which of the replacement valves are required. Fitting a full set would be more expensive than buying new valve blocks so only those needed would be replaced. You therefore need to use a company that re-manufactures valve body assemblies who also have the capability to thoroughly test them.

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Hi Phil
Many thanks for the reply and the info. Can you point me to anyone who can carry out the diagnostic and refurbishment/improvements? Would be very useful to have ideas of costs before committing to a L322, although my heart is set on one..
Finally, would be looking to remap the TD6 and from research I understand that a healthy auto box can take the outputs that a remap could produce and the fragility of the TD6 transmission stems from results from the valve / pump deterioration am I right in that assumption?
All the best JK

I personally use a guy called Pete Stirrup on the Wirral (www.valvebodyuk.co.uk) to test all my valve body assemblies but you may be able to Google somebody more local. STA in Buckinghamshire (www.staautogearbox.co.uk) certainly have the capability but I don’t know if they will supply an individual valve body assembly as they’re really transmission remanufacturers. Similarly, Midland Automatic Transmissions (www.automaticgearbox.co.uk) also have a Hydra-Test machine, but you may be better sticking with a valve body specialist.

In my opinion, your statement regarding the 5L40-E’s mechanical robustness is correct. Of course, there’s a limit (often reached first by the ‘toilet roll’ shaft, more correctly called the direct clutch input shaft & hub) but a remap is unlikely to get near it.

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Hi Phil
Thank you for this very much appreciated. You have a wealth of knowledge.
I guess that the best policy upon purchase is a autobox oil / filter change (examine the contents for swarf etc), remap and the wait for the inevitable..
I know that I should search on FFRR but as am bending your ear are there tips for preventive maintenance that could be carried out on a L322 as I always believe that prevention is better than cure or roadside breakdown
Cheers JK

has a precaution i pulled my valve body out & sent it to valve body uk, they replaced a couple of items & tested it, 3 day turn around excellent service

Hi all

Just thought I'd update that I jumped in a bought a L322 TD6 Vogue. Have had it a few weeks and have been busy tidying it up and doing some servicing and preventive maintenance. The car is at 108k miles and the gearbox is showing signs of wear so its going to be checked over and updated.

There is a list to jobs to do but am really pleased that we have one in the household.

Its in my favourite colour (silver) and will be kept stock with the standard 18s going on once they've been refurbished. Have stripped out all the cherry wood interior trim and polished it.

The next part of the project is sorting upgrades to the audio. Want to get Intravee but the changer has the 10 pin plug and am getting stumped trying to find an adaptor. I know that there was a kit from BMW but the part number which is much quoted is no longer valid. Will have a dig around the ICE section and post there too.

Cheers to all FFRRs!