Relieved you find these reliable Sandy, and sent it for a bit of 'preventative maintenance' today.

To recap, the trans oil and filter was changed over the w/end. Seems to be changing gear more smoothly w/out (so far) the previous 'time to time' slipping and occasional 'hunting' for an elusive gear; maybe brought on by the slipping. Also feels little less 'agricultural' when (engine/trans) cold. Possibly the smoothness of the Dexron VI fully synthetic

Haven't yet been into central London to test in severe traffic conditions, and reluctant to do so, as frankly sick of London anyway.

Tho left it running stationary for quite a while and driven it around even looking for traffic to sit in So far great and hasn't missed a beat in 5 days local trundling in east herts.

Today, took it to local general garage, explained issue of blocked radiator, and diagnostic tips that pdf suggests: http://www.bristoltransmissions.co.uk/down...ckage1.pdf

Garage called me later in day, and said could find 'no fault'. Coolant apparently draining ok - without resistance characterised by above pdf and no sign of sludgy coolant. Relief! Therefore, took garage advice and left it with what appears likely the original rad. Haven't a ton of history with it, but rad seems to have a build date on sticker, corresponding to 3 or 4 months before vehicle registration.

Thanks the guys above who've taken time to comment, offer advice, tips, hints etc - especially Joe90.

Grateful haven't so far needed a rad as Td6 (PCC000840) radiators (LR913) seem double the price of the V8's (LR911).

Probably idea to renew some breakdown cover before venturing a distance, or down into the dreaded 'smoke', although cover recently ran out after not being required in 1st 12 months.

I'm sure it's all a matter of time, but there's so many aspects needing attention on these beauties tho I need unfortunately to choose my maintenance moments carefully. Happy motoring guys. Maybe post an update or two as when. Take it easy

Something that is often overlooked when refurbishing the GM TD6 transmission is the valve body which often needs the sonnax modification which from memory is one of the valves or pistons that wears and reduces pressure to the torque converter lock up clutch allowing it to slip more easily.
When the TC fails it fills the transmission with debris causing the rebuild requirement and the TC is replaced but if the valve body hasn’t been checked and modified if required the next time around the TC fails sooner and the cycle starts all over again.
Just saying

Thanks HolidayChicken!

Was thankful when they removed transmission sump off and said there was no (significant) debris in sump pan. The oil smelled as tho it'd been cooked, and filter seemed blocked, was report. With notes this may only be a temporary solution. I guess 'it's all temporary' anyway, so have to take each day as it comes. And frankly surprised after how the g/box was that day that it even works at all. The transmissions are actually tougher than had been led to believe!

Do you have FBH on yours? Do they make a ticking noise? I'm getting a ticking noise when cold (not from engine), accompanied by an intermittent low whine that seems to come and go. Whine may of course not be connected with 'ticking' noise whatsoever. The whine sounds is almost like maybe a bearing noise, possibly water pump, (crikey) or some type of tensioner (of which it probably has millions!). Noises can happen when stationary and not in gear. Tho haven't had opportunity yet to jump out of car and have a sniff about when it's happening to fully detect if whine is from engine and ticking seems certainly not from engine. Could also be suspension compressor.

And maybe FBH related as weather has turned cold for 1st time this winter; although don't recall the accompanying whine sound last winter. It's all fun ain't it!

Ticking could well be the FBH fuel pump, tucked away under the rear subframe... .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Cheers Joe. It sounds like the ticking is coming from there. Could be the noise of a heat shield expanding / compressing, possibly (like I know what I'm on about!!)

But the (possibly coincidental) intermittent low whine? Does FBH have moving parts to create noise like that?