bmw 530d auto transmission. .

[God mode restorations]

Evening all. .
I don't know if there are any auto transmission specialists online hear that could may help on a simple problem. .tomorrow I will be replacing the filter and fluid on my 1999 e39 530d bmw..simple job...the problem is there is so much speculation on what is the correct fluid to use..I got my fluid from euro car parts.triple qx fully synthetic trans oil for my year/make of car...I read on a bmw forum the there are coloured stickers on the trans pan.mine is a green sticker. The colours indicate what transmission and fluid should be used and a warning saying the use of the incorrect fluid will cause trans failure. ..so my question is has any one had the same issues with what fluid should be used and have it got the correct one....

 

[stormin]

Not sure on the correct type of fluid but i do know synthetics shouldnt be mixed with mineral based. The trouble is you will not be able to drain off all the existing fluid probably only 75% at best as some will always remain in the torque converter.

 

[God mode restorations]

Not sure on the correct type of fluid but i do know synthetics shouldnt be mixed with mineral based. The trouble is you will not be able to drain off all the existing fluid probably only 75% at best as some will always remain in the torque converter.

This is the problem. .according to bmw forum the torque converter cant be drained as it's life time fluid ?..

 

[Gareth J]

I did a manual e46 last year, despite the "lifetime" oil, in it, I overruled and decided it'd be better changed. I got it from Opie oils who seemed quite up to speed on what oil should be in there. Worth a phone call?

 

[God mode restorations]

I did a manual e46 last year, despite the "lifetime" oil, in it, I overruled and decided it'd be better changed. I got it from Opie oils who seemed quite up to speed on what oil should be in there. Worth a phone call?

OK cool..thank you for the information. .just done some more research and apparently bmw use what is basically dexron 1V .

 

[Kayos]

Did this on a 330d recently, was a pain pumping it in as there is not an upstand on the filler

 

[God mode restorations]

Did this on a 330d recently, was a pain pumping it in as there is not an upstand on the filler

Gone the days of the filler tube in the engine bay....I did buy a oil syringe for doing the job..m

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Good pointer to Opie Oils, check their website for recommendations. If you're still not sure, they're helpful on the phone [although you've already shopped elsewhere.... ] I forget which colour denotes which box but it should be easy enough to confirm through Google - one is GM and the other ZF, who do recommend fluid changes, despite BMW's "sealed for life, Sir".

I'm a manual 'box man always, but from reading I understand the gearbox fluid must be a certain temp, the car dead level [on axle stands is best if you don't have access to a ramp] in order to do the job correctly. I think this applies to the e39 too, but it's a must on models from the e60 onwards.

 

[say]

Hey spencer
Just my input if of any use, I also did no end of research on gearbox oil change.
I have an e53 auto and I feel it does the lurching sometimes, did some reading and it seems that there could be a possibility that when fresh oil goes in it could worsen the lurching. Apparently when the old oil is drained and the box cleaned it can loosen the sludge, so when the new oil goes in this can affect the box, maybe even cause the auto box to hang on to the gears.
I've done 90,000 and not done the oil, good or bad idea I don't know, BMW say its not needed cos it's lifetime, hmmm lifetime of the vehicle who knows.
If the car is lurching a cheaper option they recommended was software update, not done that either.

Hope I have helped in some way

Shane

 

[God mode restorations]

Morning all. .well I have dropped the trans filter and oil.if bmw says that's life time all to me is a load of s--t.that all was black and burnt....new filter and gasket in..cleaned up the pan magnet. .some metal slug witch is to be expected for a car that's done 161000 miles...new fluids going in...will let you no how and what happens. ..

 

[slim_boy_fat]

.....is a load of s--t.that all was black and burnt.....

I thought you might find that, it's the general consensus that the oil benefits from a change [I've just had the 'box & diff oils changed on my manual e60 at 120k miles] - preventative maintenance

Which make of box did you turn out to have?

 

[God mode restorations]

I thought you might find that, it's the general consensus that the oil benefits from a change [I've just had the 'box & diff oils changed on my manual e60 at 120k miles] - preventative maintenance

Which make of box did you turn out to have?

Hi.i have the Gm box..well I got it all back to gether. .new oils.run it through the box a few times..topped up again..run through box..double checked the level. .all OK. Just got back from a good test drive.all good.loads better on the unchange and down. A lot more responsive through out the rev range..no leaks..happy days.in my opinion Deffo worth doing regardless what bmw say...

 

[slim_boy_fat]

 

[rtcosic]

Same endless debate on Jaguar forums about the ZF boxes.
Jagaur says 'sealed for life' - but 'life' to an OEM is duration of warranty or lease - typically 100k miles.
Other OEMs using the same box recommend changing pan and fluid at 100k or less under 'severe conditions'. These 'severe conditions' being carefully unclearly defined!

Anyway, check with Bristol Auto Transmissions for pan and fluid. They are very knowledable and offer OEM or Pattern pan and 'OEM' or 'equivalent' fluids at your choice. Their kits include any gaskets, set screws, seals etc so are good value.

No connection with them just a satisfied customer.

For info I did mine at 175k and fluid was discoloured but not obviously more viscous and the magnetic trap had a minute amount of ultra fine dust on it. I did not notice any change in an already smooth box.

Did diff and supercharger oils at the same time. I had done power steering earlier.

 

[God mode restorations]

I think it's a grey area about being life time oil...but it does seam to make a difference as in it feels more responsive. .I will doing the oil again in a week or two..as for the correct oil..there seams to be a million different answers. .some say fully synthetic some say not...

 

[TechnicAl]

I had a 2009 530d estate. It was a lovely car and the power was awesome. It got rid when it started dropping out of gear when stationary. It was automatic tiptronic. When it stopped it would drop out of gear and then when I revved it would clonk back in again.
I had it to the BMW garage and they said it was probably a blocked filter and it would cost £2000 to investigate. Someone mentioned oil so I asked and was told that it was definitely not the cause.

 

[colnerov]

Hi, I would say do at least another couple of changes. The G/box probably holds about 9 or 10 litres most of which is in the torque converter which you can't drain, all you're draining is the couple of litres in the pan, so as you say change it then run it for a while so the clean oil mixes with the old, then change again and again so the concentration of the old oil comes down. You should get more improvements to come.

Colin

 

[God mode restorations]

Hi, I would say do at least another couple of changes. The G/box probably holds about 9 or 10 litres most of which is in the torque converter which you can't drain, all you're draining is the couple of litres in the pan, so as you say change it then run it for a while so the clean oil mixes with the old, then change again and again so the concentration of the old oil comes down. You should get more improvements to come.

Colin

That's what I am going to do.mi got a little worried and stressed as all I read on bmw forums is mixed oils causes transmission failure. .but then so would a blocked filter and crud fluid. ..but am planning to do it a good three times more ..

 

[roofman]

My E46 (manual) box is sealed for life..took no notice and changed it,much slicker changes. Any car or van from the early to mid 90,s i always put in the same as was about them days like a good quality mineral oil.