Your right to only use the LRN402 “red” auto oil from main dealers in your Jatco. £10 per L from main dealers. The dextrin II stuff was used in the US and they had problems with it. The US doesn’t like importing the LRN402 oil as there’s some chemical in it that a major polluting country like the US wouldn’t like!
Be very careful not to over or under fill your auto. If you do you’ll stuff it up. I know this to my cost, thanks to my main dealer not telling me the truth… Be very careful when replacing the oil and setting the correct level. Some have used the method of putting in the same amount they measured draining out.
Independent LR garages charge approx £90 to replace the auto oil in a Freelander 1, so I’m told.
Be careful not to remove the wrong nut. The nut on the rear should not be removed, or you’ll loose reverse gear. Then it’ll need taking apart to correct. See here:
Ashcroft Transmissions and select technical info.
Info stolen off another LR web forum:
Bulletin Number - 0002
Issue - 2
Date - 06.02.2002
Model - Freelander
Affected Range - All KV6 and Td4 Automatic derivatives (i.e. JATCO Transmission)
Re-Issue Information - PROBLEM, CAUSE and ACTION text amended. Issue 2 of this bulletin has become necessary due to continuing reports of incorrect bolt removal.
Problem
INCORRECT IDENTIFICATION OF GEARBOX FLUID LEVEL PLUG
Cause
When checking the fluid level on the JATCO automatic transmission incorrect bolts are being removed / loosened, causing serious damage & malfunction.
Removal of the reduction gear brake band bolt can cause total loss of drive or a substantial reduction in the performance of the transmission.
Removal of the parking pawl rod plate retaining bolt (located next to the XYZ switch) will result in gear selection problems / gear lever movement restrictions.
Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES must these items be removed or loosened - doing so will invalidate any warranty claim made. In normal service, only the fluid level plug and fluid filler plug should be removed.
Action
The level plug (arrowed) is fitted vertically into the underside of the gearbox casing, alongside the selector cable bracket and can be identified by its 5mm Allen socket head. The level plug closes the lower end of an internal level tube, therefore only excess fluid will be expelled when the plug is removed.
Observe due care when draining gearbox fluid as the fluid can be very hot.
An advance copy of a revised Workshop Manual check and top up procedure is attached to this bulletin. Please ensure that all workshop personnel are aware of this information, which will be added to the Workshop Manual at the next opportunity.
Parts Information
Not applicable, issued for information purposes only.
Warranty
Not applicable
Check and top-up fluid
Check
1. Position vehicle on ramp.
2. Apply handbrake and position chocks under front and rear wheels.
3. Remove underbelly panel.
4. Connect TestBook to monitor gearbox fluid temperature.
CAUTION: The gearbox fluid level must only be checked when the temperature of the fluid is between 35° and 45°. The reading obtained will be incorrect if the fluid is outside this temperature range.
Changing Transmission Fluid Yourself
Linear Mode
