kevofcov
Member Since: 06 Nov 2007
Location: Other end of M69
Posts: 533
  
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| ZF gearbox oil level check |
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2016 Graphite D4 SDV6 110,000 miles
I’ve had a tiny weep for 40,000 miles from my ZF box. The odd spot on the drive. Annoying really more than anything else as the car is dry otherwise. I’ve tried a forum search and have watched Christian /Vera using Robbies guide for an oil change but I am unsure how to check my ZF gearbox oil level.
I am due a flush by Ian in the spring (car not me) but before then how do I check that all these little spots are not adding up to a big problem – how do I check my ZF oil level? Fill to spill? Hot or cold?
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 22nd Nov 2023 7:48 pm |
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Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10367
 
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Tbh you are likely to loose more oil during the check procedure
I would just leave it if you have a flush planned. A flush is likely to make the leak worse, so plan on a fix for the leak first.
Connector sleeves is common and needs doing anyway as preventative
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| 23rd Nov 2023 7:47 am |
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kevofcov
Member Since: 06 Nov 2007
Location: Other end of M69
Posts: 533
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kajtzu wrote:Please see the official flow chart in this document https://aftermarket.zf.com/app/controller/...90da53.pdf
Easier to paste URL than to explain 
That’s great thanks. It looks like it is just the last bit I need. The previous info detailed is what Christian and Vera were doing to change their oil.
Routine oil level checking is done by - once up to the correct gearbox temp temperature (and with the engine running at the correct tick over) open the filler and your looking for single drops to dribble.
Car needs to be level. Use your spirit level on the chassis rails - see this vid at 7min50
&t=4s
Last edited by kevofcov on 24th Nov 2023 8:56 am. Edited 2 times in total
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| 23rd Nov 2023 7:25 pm |
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kevofcov
Member Since: 06 Nov 2007
Location: Other end of M69
Posts: 533
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Pete K wrote:Tbh you are likely to loose more oil during the check procedure
I would just leave it if you have a flush planned. A flush is likely to make the leak worse, so plan on a fix for the leak first.
Connector sleeves is common and needs doing anyway as preventative
Hi Pete
I'll have a look over the weekend to see if I can see the weep. Do you know - are the connector sleeves simple enough to change during a flush?
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| 23rd Nov 2023 7:28 pm |
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Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10367
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Sadly on these the bottom sump has to come off. Then pull a leaver to release the sleeve
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| 23rd Nov 2023 7:49 pm |
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kevofcov
Member Since: 06 Nov 2007
Location: Other end of M69
Posts: 533
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kajtzu wrote:Please see the official flow chart in this document https://aftermarket.zf.com/app/controller/...90da53.pdf
Easier to paste URL than to explain
Hi Kajtzu
just realised the link is for the 5/6 speed - you don't have a link for the 8 speed by chance?
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| 24th Nov 2023 9:27 am |
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kevofcov
Member Since: 06 Nov 2007
Location: Other end of M69
Posts: 533
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Been on the tube. These American guys describe a world of pain to check your level on a ZF8 but they are not checking Landrover products
This Aussie/Kiwi guy is on a Landrover and it seems a lot simpler. Video states ZF6 and 8.
This video is the 'simple' way but is a ZF6
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I’m a bit confused now. There must be two different ways to check fluid. A fluid level check on a ZF6 is a pain but straight forward. The ZF8 check is crazy for what your trying to do.
How about I do a ZF6 style check on my ZF8 transmission? Close enough?
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| 24th Nov 2023 11:40 am |
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kevofcov
Member Since: 06 Nov 2007
Location: Other end of M69
Posts: 533
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My job gives me tooo much time to think and a little bit of lateral thinking means I think I’ve solved it –
Assume a gearbox is cold, level and with the correct amount of fluid inside. The level of the oil inside this cold gearbox will always be at the same at rest, somewhere below the fill hole. The distance below is unknown.
Now, if you add oil via the fill hole, at some point it will overflow. If you know the quantity of oil that you added you can suck an equivalent volume out and return your level to the correct point. All we need to know is that volume. The procedure to ensure correct level of your ZF8 gearbox oil would then be -
‘To ensure the correct level of ZF8 gearbox oil on a cold level gearbox, ‘fill to spill’ and then remove xxxml of oil’
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| 14th Dec 2023 8:23 pm |
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