205,000 miles and about to service transmission question.

My transmission has never been touched and shifts smoothly but is starting to shows signs of needing service. Slight shudder at low rpms up a hill and has the rpm fluctuation at hwy speeds that many have cured with fresh fluid. I'm well studied on how to do just a flush or how to do a new updated pan and filter. At his high of mileage, and if I do install a new pan and filter, should I go ahead and do the solenoids, sealing sleeve, rubber tubes, and service the mechatronic? OR just do one or two fluid changes? Here is the link to the site that has all the service pieces I'd be considering. Thectsc.com

I'm not really sure what the solenoids control, what their lifespan is, and when one might consider replacing them. I'm under the impression that the shudder and the rpm fluctuation is from oil tranny fluid.

From my recent experience your symptoms are the fluid. Was it original? Lasted way longer than mine at only 100k miles. I found adding lube guard really helped as well. From extensive research on here and elsewhere, at 100k, I decided against the solenoids but did have them do the rubber sleeve and tube, but at 200k I'd probably be inclined to do it all, as none of that stuff owes you a dime at this point.
Love hearing 200k stories, keep up the good work!

Al Pizzica said:

From my recent experience your symptoms are the fluid. Was it original? Lasted way longer than mine at only 100k miles. I found adding lube guard really helped as well. From extensive research on here and elsewhere, at 100k, I decided against the solenoids but did have them do the rubber sleeve and tube, but at 200k I'd probably be inclined to do it all, as none of that stuff owes you a dime at this point.
Love hearing 200k stories, keep up the good work!

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I actually have two LR4's. One with a new engine with 175,000 on the tranny and the other with 205,000. Neither transmission have been service and still have original fluids.

From my experience. Changing the fluid now, will lead to transmission failure.

Rover Range said:

From my experience. Changing the fluid now, will lead to transmission failure.

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Did this happen to you? I've read some stories about this and saw a few videos that claim it will happen. Should I just start with taking about 4 quarts out and replacing 4 new quarts back in?

In the mine field of life look for the footprints in front of you.
I've been there twice; an 08 LR3 , and a 10 Range Rover both ZF 6 speed trans with 200,000 miles. The 08 was a simple filter/fluid change.
The 2010 had black trans fluid, with slipping, and shuddering. I replaced the 5 seals above the Mechtronic unit. I did not have any tranny codes, therefore I did not spend the money on the solenoid kit. I also replaced all the tranny fluid 5 gallons (Valvoline MAX life ATF 1/3 the cost of the Gucci ZF fluid)., at the radiator cooler up front. And added a Ford friction additive recommended by YouTube transmission expert Gary Ferraro.I had complete success, she performs like new! If you wish PM me for more intel. Good Luck!View attachment 22661

In the minefield of life, look for the footprints in front of you. I've had two ZF6 speed transmissions with 200,000 miles. One was a simple fluid/filter change. The other had slipping and shudder, with no transmission codes. The slipping/shuddering transmission also had black fluid, but did not smell burnt. This is the path I used for complete success, shifts like new again:
1) Replaced all tranny fluid, 5 gallons at the tranny cooler radiator. Valvoline Max life ATF 1/3 the cost of ZF fluid.
2) New Filter
3) Ford tranny friction additive, based on YouTube tranny expert Gary Ferraro's wisdom.
4) And most importantly replace the 5 Mechtronic rubber seals.
Please feel free to reach out to me for more intel. This was not an easy or fun experience. But it is a complete success.

malibulr4 said:

Did this happen to you? I've read some stories about this and saw a few videos that claim it will happen. Should I just start with taking about 4 quarts out and replacing 4 new quarts back in?

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It has happened to customer's vehicles. Put it this way. It has happened so many times, we advise against changing the fluid on high mileage vehicles.

What's high mileage in this case? And is this a fluid drain and refill, or some sort of fluid "flush?"

Just my .02 from my own experiences: When I worked in a shop, the owner’s dad did transmission work for a lot of the early nascar guys (Allison’s, Petty’s, Earnhardt in the wrangler days). His shop always recommended either change it on schedule or never. Granted, at this point it was early 00’s and I’m confident that transmission tech has come a long way since, but I still follow that.

The only experience I have is with a late 90’s Subaru Legacy my parents had. My dad got talked into a transmission service once it was up in mileage and within a month we were stuck on the side of the road. Car wouldn’t shift and needed a rebuild. My parents have never done transmission work on any car since, and have never had problems as long as they’ve owned cars; and plenty were 100k or higher (Grand Prix, Tahoe, Silverado, Montero Sport, Cherokee)