Juddering gearbox

[andyman1966]

Hi guys, over the last few days ive had a strange juddering from the gearbox. It feels like the car is driving over railway lines ever now and then . Tonight on the way home it seemed to rev high to pull away felt like a slipping clutch.Could anyone give me any advice as to the cause. I thought maybe the atf was getting low but I cant find how to check it or top it up. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance 

[steve2006]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but are you aware of the engine coolant/ transmission cooler problem on these cars?

Basically an internal defect allows engine coolant to mix with the transmission fluid which in turns wrecks the gear box.

Unfortunately post 2003 models have no dipstick as they are “Sealed for life” but check the engine coolant level to see if you are loosing coolant with no obvious leaks.

My advice is to contact a transmission specialist.

[The-Acre]

As Steve says, it doesn't sound like good news.  It seems a daft move to do away with the transmission dipstick but there we are.  The preventative measure is to replace the radiator which has a built in transmission cooler but sadly some discover this too late. Let's hope it's something else!

[Mikaelse]

On 12/14/2020 at 8:14 PM, steve2006 said:

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but are you aware of the engine coolant/ transmission cooler problem on these cars?

Basically an internal defect allows engine coolant to mix with the transmission fluid which in turns wrecks the gear box.

Unfortunately post 2003 models have no dipstick as they are “Sealed for life” but check the engine coolant level to see if you are loosing coolant with no obvious leaks.

My advice is to contact a transmission specialist.

If it was my car I would not drive it another meter , I would expect that the ATF fluid is greyish? if you have a leak from coolant to transfluid. Drain and see.  I would in any case think about changeing the radiator with the known unreliable trans cooler. People do it premptively since the problem is common. A new radiator can be had for around 100£ + shipping and fitting . If you have coolant in the transfluid getting it out completely yourself without driving is not so easy. Contacting a specialist is a good idea here. On my LS400 I could get 4 liters out when lifted high in front for a few weeks. That is about 45 % of the contents. A simple quick drain and fill only yields around 1.6 liters. And those drain and refills has to be repeated with some driving between. Not a good idea.  Use the correct fluid...     

[ColinBarber]

2 minutes ago, Mikaelse said:

If it was my car I would not drive it another meter

or even start the engine as the coolant and transmission pumps would run potentially making things worse.