Hi all.

My 3.6 TDV8 2008 L322 has done 135k miles. The gearbox developed a slight judder under load about a year ago so I had it megaflushed. This did a great job and sorted it out.

It generally works well now although there's maybe a slight delay between 1st and 2nd. Minimal but I think it is there.

Now, main question. If I don't use the car for about a week or more, when I start the car and put it in 'D' straight away, there's is no drive for about 10 seconds. It's as if the car is in neutral. It feels like it takes time for the fluid in the auto box to circulate or something. Once it's done that, everying is fine and if I use the car every day I don't have a problem.

Any ideas?

Might be worth replacing the solenoids and valve body seals if a full rebuild or replacement is out of budget.

I'd double check that the level is correct as a first option

Yes, check the level first. I think it needs to be warm but double check.
The Wiki, as usual is a great source of info:
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic47231.html Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
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Just look at the post and the Wiki workshop manual for level check and filling.

I just did my gearbox filter and fluid change (165k kms) and the level check is a faf but if you follow the steps it works.

The solenoid issue that some of the ZF 6 speeds have is 3rd/4th gear change with a big clunk. It is only the black, pressure regulating solenoid that causes the issue by the way but you can't always get only that solenoid, normally you need to buy the set. I have a post (long time ago) about what I needed to do to my 2006 gearbox, you should find all the necessary info in there . MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

Great, thanks for the advice. I'll check the fluid level first and see how that is.

If the fluid is correct the seal that joins the mechatronics block to the main gearbox case can go hard and leak internally loosing pressure and introducing air in the system that takes a while to purge.

This one.

That's a coincidence, I was going to post the same question as the OP. I have recently found that mine does the same thing if I don't use it for a week or so, same delay in drive or reverse if I wait with the engine at tickover, maybe 5 seconds. Any increase in revs and the drive is there immediately. Gearbox oil was changed by indy 3 years ago just after I got it at 116K miles (20k miles since) but no megaflush as far as I know and they had to put some shudder fix in afterwards as it was 'cattle-gridding' on hills.
I will check the level as others have said but have been wondering about getting the box checked out at STA in Aylesbury as I now have very occasional judder on acceleration in a couple of the lower gears but generally the box seems to work ok. Previously a 2008MY Tonga Green Vogue SE 3.6 TDV8