This tutorial is also available in French
➔
Differentials oil change on Defender 90
Vehicle ➔ Defender 90 Td4 2013
Difficulty ➔ Easy
Time ➔ 1 hour
Summary
Advertisement
Advertisement
Recommendations
The oil level of the Defender differentials is done by overflow. To be sure to fill the right volume of oil, park the Defender on a perfectly horizontal surface before draining.
Oil recommended by Land Rover ➔ Molytex EP90.
On our Defender Td4, we use the oil ➔ Total Dual 8 FE 80W90, API GL4/GL5, MIL-L-2105-D.
Land Rover recommends changing the oil in the Defender Td4 differentials every 80,000 km.
We change the oil in our Defender Td4 differentials every 30,000 km.
We change the oil in our Defender Td4 differentials every 30,000 km.
Volume of oil required for the differentials :
• Defender 90 - front diff: 1.70 liters.
• Defender 90 - rear diff: 1.70 liters.
• Defender 110 - front diff: 1.70 liters.
• Defender 110 - rear diff Wolf: 1.70 liters.
• Defender 110 - rear diff Salisbury: 2.26 liters.
• Defender 90 - front diff: 1.70 liters.
• Defender 90 - rear diff: 1.70 liters.
• Defender 110 - front diff: 1.70 liters.
• Defender 110 - rear diff Wolf: 1.70 liters.
• Defender 110 - rear diff Salisbury: 2.26 liters.
Before draining, drive a few kilometers to warm up the oil. The oil will then be more fluid and will drain better.
Used oils, brake fluids, seals and filters are hazardous waste for the environment. They must in no circumstances be thrown neither in the natural environment, nor in the sanitation network, nor in household waste. They must be deposited in a recycling center.
On the gearbox, the transfer box and the differentials, the drain and filler plugs do not have a seal. If you have any doubts about their tightness, you can add Teflon (PTFE) tape to their threads before screwing them back in.
Like most of us, for years we used an oil syringe to fill the gearbox, the transfer box and the differentials. We experienced the unpleasantness of seeing the oil run down our forearms while we were under the Defender filling those darn boxes.
That's why we invested about thirty pounds in a transfer pump. Try it and you'll see. It changes your life !
That's why we invested about thirty pounds in a transfer pump. Try it and you'll see. It changes your life !
Required Tools
Sponsored links by
Advertisement
Drain the front differential
Op 01
Locate the filler plug (1st photo) and the drain plug (2nd photo) of the front differential.
Place a drain pan under the differential.
Op 02
Clean around the differential oil filler plug.
Remove the filler plug. Use the 1/2'' ratchet.
Removing the filler plug will facilitate the flow of oil during the next operation.
It is likely that a trickle of oil will flow when removing the filler plug. The oil was cold when filling and the oil is hot when draining. Its volume has therefore slightly increased.
Op 03
Clean around the drain plug.
Remove the drain plug. Use the 1/2'' ratchet.
Let the oil drain.
The oil and drain plug are very hot. Be careful not to burn yourself.
Advertisement
Put oil back into the front differential
Op 04
Thoroughly clean the drain plug. Use a cloth.
Fit the drain plug. Start by screwing it in by hand and tighten with the 1/2'' ratchet.
The 2 plugs (drain and fill) are identical. Avoid swapping them anyway. The tightness of the differential will be better.
No tightening torque is recommended for the drain plug. Tighten firmly.
Op 05
Fill the transfer pump. Use differential oil.
Op 06
Place the pump nozzle in the differential filler hole.
Transfer the oil into the differential. Pump by hand.
Continue filling until oil overflows from the fill port.
Let the excess oil drain from the fill port.
Op 07
Thoroughly clean the filler plug. Use a cloth.
Fit the filler plug. Start by screwing it in by hand and tighten with the 1/2'' ratchet.
No tightening torque is recommended for the filler plug. Tighten firmly.
Op 08
Drive a few kilometers with the vehicle.
Check for leaks at the differential.
Advertisement
Drain the rear differential
Op 09
Drain the rear differential. Proceed in the same way as for the front differential.
The filler plug (1st photo) and the drain plug (2nd photo) are in the same locations as on the front differential.
Unclog the axles breather pipes
Op 10
Unclog the axles breather pipes (➔ see the tutorial).
This operation is not essential, but while you are under the Defender draining the differentials, take the opportunity to blow compressed air into the vent pipes of the axles. It will only take you 5 minutes.
The End
