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too much oil in gear box

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 4:17 pm
by entropy
Hi All,

I hope you don't mind me asking this question here. you all were really helpful on my x5 questions.

I bought a x reg freelander the other day and within 3 miles the gear box went. it struggled to get above 30 and in reverse was just revving until eventually finding the gear. luckily the garage gave a refund no questions asked.

they have rung me back today saying the car is fine and they contacted the last owner and said it was fine and they realised that the last garage that serviced the car put to much oil in the auto gearbox. 8 litres instead of 4.

they have drained it now and refilled with the correct 4 litres and they say gearbox is working fine and have put over 30 miles on it with no problems etc.

They seem a genuine garage but I just want to double check if too much oil in transmission can cause gearbox to not find gear correctly etc?

gearbox issue aside the car is a great find with only 40k miles on and is in great cosmetic condition.

i've not heard of that before and can't find much on the internet about it.

Re: too much oil in gear box

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 5:54 pm
by X5Sport
Personally I'd not go near it. 30 miles is not enough time to test the box!! Not sure I believe the story either. I mean how do you overfill a transmission by 4 litres via the filling port? That's almost a gallon too much!!! There are usually warning labels all over these things making it very clear NOT to overfill - EVER.

too much oil in gear box

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 6:01 pm
by dirtymonkey29
How exactly can anyone fit 8 litres into something that only holds 4 litres. Walk away... Actually run!!!!

Re: too much oil in gear box

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:01 pm
by jaynana
Plus, X-reg with 40k miles is potentially trouble by itself. Check that the car has not been idle for a few years, cos if it has, that can perish rubber and other such material, which will lead to all sorts of failures once you start running the car again.

Re: too much oil in gear box

Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 4:56 am
by Denis O
It's not like there is a shortage of Freelanders out there. You will find a better, cheaper one easily so move on.

Re: too much oil in gear box

Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 3:20 pm
by entropy
Thanks for the advice guys.

Am gonna walk away! its a shame because it was such a tidy car in terms of body and interior. We are looking for 4x4/SUV type vehicle but its hard to make our mind up.

As you say there are loads out there but its hard to find the decent ones as some have just been hamered.

This goes to show that low mileage isn't everything!

Re: too much oil in gear box

Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 3:51 pm
by X5Sport
If you can't stretch to an E53, don't exclude the X3 from your list. Much better car than the Freelander, albeit a little larger.