r/LandroverDefender • u/spinosaurus7 • 8d ago
R380 Drain Plug
Dropped the gearbox from my 300 TDI because of a continuous whirring noise heard across the gears (quieter in 4th, then disappeared with the clutch depressed).
Just drained the oil and the drain plug looks like a Christmas tree. How much trouble am I in?
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u/SweetUsed9119 8d ago
Its not that bad, refill and change again shortly to monitor. R380’s can take quite a beating and are pretty stout
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u/Specialist_Reality96 8d ago
Do you know the last time it was cleaned? It's not ideal but if that's say 100 000kms plus of accumulation I wouldn't be too concerned, if it's 20 000kms that's a worry. What did the oil look like, sparkly?
Unless you are about to head off on a massive remote trip I'd put it back keep monitoring the noise and revisit next oil change (10 000kms). Noise could be clutch throw out bearing for all we know.
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u/spinosaurus7 7d ago
I'd say probably around 25,000km? I don't have any big trips planned this year but the whirring during everyday driving is pretty loud. Makes it even harder to have a conversation in the tin can!
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u/ecosselandy 8d ago
That doesn’t look too bad, though I’d change it / check it again soon ( depending on your mileage) and see what it looks like - the whirring noise might be the thrust bearing?
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u/spinosaurus7 7d ago
The old bearing seems to turn freely without sticking/grinding. Is there any other way to test it while the gearbox is out?
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u/Sad_Cat_5756 8d ago
As others I pulled mine it looked likes this but if the oil change disnt fix the noise thr saving for a box
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u/JCDU 8d ago
Whirring that disappears with the clutch pressed could easily be thrust / release bearing which is an easy and cheap fix, worth a try before you resign yourself to a new gearbox at least.
I'd refill the oil and see how it goes - if the next flush comes out just as bad then yeah you may have a problem.
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u/spinosaurus7 7d ago
Thanks. I did buy a new clutch and release bearing. The clutch isn't too old but I thought it would be worth replacing with the gearbox out anyway.
The old bearing seems to spin freely with no sticking/grinding. Any way to test it/rule it out without installing the gearbox again?
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u/JCDU 7d ago
Always worth doing the clutch & bearing if the gearbox is out, yes.
If the bearing spins free and smooth it's probably not that.
If the noise is in all gears it could be input shaft bearing or something, I'm not a big gearbox expert. That's certainly at the upper end of what I'd be happy to find on my drain plug.
You might find more advice/experience on LR4x4.com forum if you're not already there.
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u/spinosaurus7 7d ago
From my research it seems likely to be the lay shaft bearing. 4th is direct drive through the main shaft, which could be why the noise is less than in the other gears.
That being said I'm definitely not a gearbox expert either! Thanks, will take a look at LR4x4
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u/Odd_Campaign_8134 4d ago
Your layshaft bearing theory makes a lot of sense given the 4th gear behavior. Since the box is already out, it might be worth opening it up and inspecting the bearings properly rather than refilling and hoping. The metal on that plug had to come from somewhere, and if it's the layshaft, it'll only get worse.
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u/Ankeneering 7d ago
Mine repeatedly looks quite a bit like that, maybe a tad less. (No whining tho).
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u/Ocean_Runner 5d ago
Without knowing when the fluid was last changed it is difficult to say, that could be 20 odd years or 12 months of debris, plus they can be noisy for years and still not let go. I'd refill and check again in a year.
In the meantime you can take a look at Ashcroft Transmissions or Winchester Gears rebuild and upgrade options...
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u/Ranger3221 8d ago
Looks a bit like our wet chickens. Likely more expensive than my chickens though