Hello !

First post here, I´ve had a P38 previously and recently swapped for a 2002 L322 4.4, One of the first things I had to swap was the Torque converter as I had the hunting throttle issue and it sounded like one was passing over cattle grids, the autobox was functioning fine otherwise.

Anyways, I left the car to a shop specialized in ZF gearboxed and their conclusion was also that it was the torque converter that was bad so they ordered a new factory unit for replacement, and as the gearbox worked fine in other aspects they only rebuilt the oil-pump while the box was out, but did not open the box except to drop the pan to replace the filter. The gearbox oil was dark and prob never changed. but normal amounts of shavings on the magnets in the pan. The gearbox got apx 120k miles / 190000km on it.

So, to my current issue. I still experience some rpm / throttle / needle movement and since I have no other L322 to compare with I´m asking here if anyone is experiencing the same behaviour on their 2002-2005 L322 with the M62/ZF5HP24 ?

The torque converter (TC) lock up clutch (LUC) have 3 modes of operation.
0-25mph Open all the time
25-56Mph - Continious slip Mode - The LUC is modulated via solenoid to trying to achive 3% maximum slip between the turbines, supposedly to save fuel and filter out transmission vibrations.
56-beyond - permanent lockup.

Behaviour when broken - fine below 25mph, but throttle swaying wildly (150-300 rpm almost on mine), and then the cattlegrid soundeffect when rolling along on slight inclines with light throttle.

Behaviour after replacement of TC and rebuilt pump, no vibrations, but I get needle movement, clearly visible to the eye and I can detect some slight jerkyness of the car. 30-70rpm maybe between 25 and 56mph. Worse when car is loaded up. Is this just the normal way the continious slop mode works on these cars ? I´ve never had this kind of behaviour on any other automatic gearbox I´ve driven. Video https://www.youtube.com/v/In-qffg3mmk

Added a poll for a quick overview.. Thanks for taking the time to read this far

Greetings from Sweden
Shogo

Last edited by Shogo on 1st Apr 2015 6:53pm. Edited 3 times in total

Thanks for the poll replies, Could you specify your details ?

No is not right my friend... Im NO transmission specialist but know the RPM needle will fluctuate when the TC is worn out! Would absolutely NOT expect it after a replacement has been fitted sir! as the hunting is due to friction plates slipping/worn out so, with a replacement/new unit fitted... It should be perfect!!!

I would take the car back to them and ask them to run some more tests/do the job properly

For what its worth - my 2003 4.4 petrol vogue had the classic TC symptoms - oil had never been changed but no metal shaving in it when checked.

New TC fitted by local indie (DAS 4x4) and runs a sweet as you like now - year later and no problem at all - smooth all the way through the power with a rock solid needle.

-Si "On first name terms with my local Dealer......now."

'61 Plate 5.0SC Autobiography - in Black ——— Gone
'53 plate 4.4V8 Vogue Bonatti Grey inside and out. ----- Gone

Had ours reconditioned by JAP when I did the engine swap. The previous owner said there were no issues with the gearbox.
Did an oil and filter change as well.
No needle movement on the tacho and all seems well at the moment.
Take it back to where you had the work done as there is still a problem with it.

Steve. 1968 Series IIA Pastel Green, nearly there project

On a 2002, I had, they replaced the TC and after that the car still had this caddlegrit sound and strange rpm behaviour. Turned out that they did not do a full oil flush of the gearbox AND the whole system. Had that done, including the filter and it ran great afterwards. Had no probs what so ever

Last edited by Robert on 2nd Jan 2015 9:06pm. Edited 1 time in total

Tried to take a video of it today.

I start at 90kph, set the cruise control and try lower the speed to about 83 kph. It´s not much movement, but it´s there. I could not feel anything in the car this time, the road was pretty bad.

https://www.youtube.com/v/In-qffg3mmk [/code]


EDIT: I know this isn´t a perfect representation of the problem.. I have no knowledge of what the throttle is doing.. I´m going to try and setup a better video , and throttleposition thru odb-II on the input aswell.

Not very enjoyable update this.

The car have been working fine for a couple of weeks, acctually i thought it was better after gearbox reset, but then after about 1500km of driving the gearbox started acting more and more wierd. I got some jumping of revs (100-200rpm ) and a slight humming.

I called the garage and they thought its the new filter had been clogged and the pressure had dropped. They are going to schedule an appointment and have a look at it.

So it sounds like it´s the same issue as Robert had. and hopefully fix.

A full gearbox and system flush is about 7 ltr I think, next to that let them flush it with clean oil, empty again and fill the system up. Have a look in the wiki
wish you strength and success

Hello again..

Car is back at the garage.. It took a while to get there since the front suspension gave out the day before I was supposed to drive it to them, new front suspension fitted.

Hopefully they´ll fix it properly this time.

Driving around in a Saab 9000 2.3T in the meanwhile.... fwd and 280bhp+ and 195/65 R15´s is just as hilarious as it is dangerous.

can´t wait to have the L322 back on the road.....

Verdict from garage
Engine coolant has leaked into the transmission fluid.

Is this possible ?

Ive been loosing some coolant, but it´s also been dripping on the garage floor so I figured it was just dumping on the ground.

Is this a possible cause ?

Yes if the oil cooler for the gearbox has failed if it's the same as the Td6 one

Yes, the gearbox has a water to oil heat exchanger and if it leaks between the 2 circuits you will get coolant in the transmission fluid.

Common issue ? Not read about it before.

There have been a few, especially if the coolant has been diluted with water. Not confined to LR either, Merc had quite a large problem with a batch of Valeo radiators which did the same thing.