Yes. You can use an infrared thermometer for example:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_...hermometer

They are accurate enough as you only need to be within the temperature range specified. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Thankyou. Is there a specific point you have to take a temperature reading from? Bottom of the sump perhaps?

As good a place as any I would say.  John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

I have just done mine today, its pretty straight forwards really if you remember some BASIC rules..........other than that Counter of Beans method is how I did it.

1. only remove the filler plug either when you have drained the pan, or when the engine is running. As me how I know..... When the engine is off most of the oil is in the pan, and it will gush out of the filler if the engine is off. Check the level when between 30 & 50 deg C, mine was about 40, with the engine running. I used a digital thermometer on the bottom of the pan to take the readings.

2. it is possible to do in off road height if you are slender. If you have steps, take one side off to make access easier, Jack the front corner under the subframe and support on stands to steady, this gives much better access to get the pan guards off and drain, remove and refit the filter pan and put in most of the oil. then put it back in off road height to check the levels on a level surface.

As COB says one of the 8mm bolts holding the bracket on is a PITA to get to, but I managed to get over the prop shaft with a socket extension and directly onto the bolt. So that made it easier than using the ratchet spanner on it.

3. you don't need a special tool to remove the filler, as Nino has commented the access to the filler is pretty decent. access to most of the bolts is pretty good. I used a longish 8mm Allen key to crack it off.

4 You will need a hand oil pump, which are fairly cheap and available off Amazon etc

I used this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002TH...&psc=1




Tools required are

1/4in torque wrench
8mm ratchet spanner to remove the frame under the pan, and an 8mm on an extension bar to get over the driveshaft to one of the bolts.
8mm hex socket to remove filler plug
10mm hex to remove drain
T40 socket to remove pan bolts
10mm socket to remove the pan cover bolts
Big pan to catch the fluid
hand pump to put the fluid back in
IR thermometer, or IID/diagnostic tool which can give GB temp reading.

pretty much it really tools wise.

Mine dropped about 4.5 to 5 litres and I used about 4.8 filling it back up, though I did lose a bit by mot following point 1.....

took me about 3 hours taking my time and making my mistakes.

The PN on the existing pan was



however the ZF part kit had the PN 1087.298.364 on the box. The number stamped on the new pan was different from the old one however it was physically exactly the same as the one which came off bar the little blue LR sticker. I bought this one..... https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/zf-getriebe/8824047

The oil was from mytyres.co.uk here..... https://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/oshop.pl...disabled=1 not listed as specifically LG 8 but was when it arrived and is in the picture, and is only 18.80 a tub..... There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

smoother all round now.

just towed the tintent down to Wiltshire and back with no gremlins so I think the swap did the trick and got rid of the gearbox overheating message.  There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

That's great news I was going to get my one mega flushed but still not had contact from the garage so may just do it myself the old fashioned way

its not a bad job, and TBH a couple of changes over 20-30k should get rid of most of the old fluid There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

I was thinking of getting 10 LTRs of oil for this change and the next as the price is good or would it be wise to get around 12 LTRs so in sure I have plenty to change it twice overtime as the price is good at the moment?

I would get a minimum of 6 per change. I got just under 5 out but it was handy to have a spare litre just in case.

at least if you have a couple of spare litres you are half way to the following change,  There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

Thanks for that I will order 12 of them now

I have seen suggested on a US forum that Motul ATF VI is suitable for use in ZF 8HP gearboxes. This is backed up by the Motul Technical data sheet at https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/motul-p...1492017369

Anyone been brave enough yet? This is a lot cheaper than the ZF oil. 2011c Vogue SE 4.4 Oil Burner
1991 Hilux 2.4d MkIII. Sadly goone due to space and time.
2008 Skoda Octavia Scout
2000 TVR Tuscan 4.0
Loads of crap. Gone

Still about £17 a litre which in only slightly less than I paid for gen ZF fluid from mytyres. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

Motul can be had from Mecatechnic in France for 83Eur delivered for 6 litres. Well at least until next March.

https://www.mecatechnic.com/en-GB/motul-au...oup%20%231 2011c Vogue SE 4.4 Oil Burner
1991 Hilux 2.4d MkIII. Sadly goone due to space and time.
2008 Skoda Octavia Scout
2000 TVR Tuscan 4.0
Loads of crap. Gone

for the sake of £25 I wouldn't bother, just get the right stuff. OK it says its ZF LG8, but it also says its LG6 and DX3 as well, its probably all of those but why take the risk, If it was a case of Saving a few hundred quids then ok, maybe, but for £25..... There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

Hi Mark. I'm wanting to do mine but I want to change more than 5 litres.
So planning on doing 2 x 5 litre separate changes with a short drive in between.
I realise this will be binning some good fluid but it seems the only way other than using a flush machine.

My question is can I drain the fluid (probably for the first one) without dropping the sump.
Then change the sump on the second oil change.

Thx, Greg

. Cheers, Greg
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2011 Vogue SE 4.4 with lots of toys in Stornaway