I have a question that I can't seem to find a good answer for.
I had a customer come in for a service on their 2000 Range Rover. Checked the differentials, and they were dirty. So they requested we do them. Even though they just had their 90,000 mile service done at a dealership, which was supposed to include differential services.
I pulled the drain plugs on the diff's. The magnets where covered in metal shaving's. It looked like 50,000+ miles worth. Not 5,000 miles like it had been since they had them "serviced," at the dealer.
My paperwork, said to use GL-5 75-90. That is what I used. They called the dealer ***** about their "service," and the guy told them that it required synthetic gear oil, and nothing else would be ok. (While sidestepping out of the line of fire, totally ignoring the fact that it appeared they did not perform the service they charged the couple for) So of course the couple calls and ask me what the deal is. So I call Land Rover Spokane. (Washington) Land Rover L.A., and some Land Rover Dealer in Colorado. All three service departments say that standard GL-5 75-90 is what is required, and what they would use. They would not put synthetic in, unless it was requested.
So this couple, who have had nothing but problems with their range rover, comes back in, and asks me to put synthetic fluid in. I tell them what I have found in my research, and said that I would be happy to do it, but I would have to charge them again for the service. While we were talking about it, they decided to look in their owner’s manual. It stated to use synthetic fluid... that really is what confused us. They agreed to pay for the service just for their sake, as they have an extended warranty and are concerned about any problems that might be appearing in the differentials as the warranty is almost up. They have had numerous problems with this car, and even more problems with the warranty, so they wanted to make sure that they don't get screwed if the warranty company tells them the failure is from running a non-synthetic. (I must also say they have been really cool during this whole situation, and is partially why I'm here trying to find the answer)
Pretty much everything that I had found other then their dealership that apparently ripped them off, had said to use standard GL-5. Then we see that the owner’s manual states "Fully Synthetic 75-90."
So does anyone know what exactly Land Rover requires for the differentials in a 2000 Land Rover, Range Rover?
On another note, does anyone know any reason why a dealership would not pull the drain plug of a differential that has a drain plug when they are doing a differential service? From what it looked like to me, the dealership did not do the service. That is what I told the customer. I did mention it was possible that the dealer might have just sucked the fluid out and replaced it.
But that really doesn't make since why someone would go through that hassle when there is a drain plug, which would allow for a better and faster job. Plus the fluid I removed look like it had 30,000 + miles on it. I'm talking dark, dark brown. There is little doubt in my mind that the dealership did not perform the service.
The couple isn't upset with me at all, which is really nice. But we are all confused, so I really want to find the answer to this. My shop has been the only one that touches their Rover for it's standard maintenance other then the big "dealer services" as the nearest Land Rover Dealer is over 150 miles away from here. (Making matters just that much more complicated)
Any advice?
I had a customer come in for a service on their 2000 Range Rover. Checked the differentials, and they were dirty. So they requested we do them. Even though they just had their 90,000 mile service done at a dealership, which was supposed to include differential services.
I pulled the drain plugs on the diff's. The magnets where covered in metal shaving's. It looked like 50,000+ miles worth. Not 5,000 miles like it had been since they had them "serviced," at the dealer.
My paperwork, said to use GL-5 75-90. That is what I used. They called the dealer ***** about their "service," and the guy told them that it required synthetic gear oil, and nothing else would be ok. (While sidestepping out of the line of fire, totally ignoring the fact that it appeared they did not perform the service they charged the couple for) So of course the couple calls and ask me what the deal is. So I call Land Rover Spokane. (Washington) Land Rover L.A., and some Land Rover Dealer in Colorado. All three service departments say that standard GL-5 75-90 is what is required, and what they would use. They would not put synthetic in, unless it was requested.
So this couple, who have had nothing but problems with their range rover, comes back in, and asks me to put synthetic fluid in. I tell them what I have found in my research, and said that I would be happy to do it, but I would have to charge them again for the service. While we were talking about it, they decided to look in their owner’s manual. It stated to use synthetic fluid... that really is what confused us. They agreed to pay for the service just for their sake, as they have an extended warranty and are concerned about any problems that might be appearing in the differentials as the warranty is almost up. They have had numerous problems with this car, and even more problems with the warranty, so they wanted to make sure that they don't get screwed if the warranty company tells them the failure is from running a non-synthetic. (I must also say they have been really cool during this whole situation, and is partially why I'm here trying to find the answer)
Pretty much everything that I had found other then their dealership that apparently ripped them off, had said to use standard GL-5. Then we see that the owner’s manual states "Fully Synthetic 75-90."
So does anyone know what exactly Land Rover requires for the differentials in a 2000 Land Rover, Range Rover?
On another note, does anyone know any reason why a dealership would not pull the drain plug of a differential that has a drain plug when they are doing a differential service? From what it looked like to me, the dealership did not do the service. That is what I told the customer. I did mention it was possible that the dealer might have just sucked the fluid out and replaced it.
But that really doesn't make since why someone would go through that hassle when there is a drain plug, which would allow for a better and faster job. Plus the fluid I removed look like it had 30,000 + miles on it. I'm talking dark, dark brown. There is little doubt in my mind that the dealership did not perform the service.
The couple isn't upset with me at all, which is really nice. But we are all confused, so I really want to find the answer to this. My shop has been the only one that touches their Rover for it's standard maintenance other then the big "dealer services" as the nearest Land Rover Dealer is over 150 miles away from here. (Making matters just that much more complicated)
Any advice?
