E60 Discussion Anything and everything to do with the E60 5 Series. All are welcome!
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Differential fluid change interval

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-01-2014, 06:41 PM
  #31  
New Members
 
gcalo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: San Ramon, CA
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 530i
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
Default

Refillable drain plug design is done.

Going to the machine shop.

Very simple way to drain and refill the differential
Old 08-02-2014, 06:44 AM
  #32  
New Members
 
Redtwin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 535d Sport
Default

Got any preliminary pics or is it something you would like to protect first?.
Old 08-02-2014, 06:59 AM
  #33  
New Members
 
gcalo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: San Ramon, CA
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 530i
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
Default

Not so much a case of protection as it is an effort to first ensure it works as it should. All my products are the same.

The design is an inner threaded piece through which fluid can flow. It screws in to open for fluid flow and then screws out for seal. It is a simple design but one which should work well.

Only present dilemma is the material. There is so much aluminum alloy in the BMW's I need to ensure that there are no material interactions with the differential housing.

My guess is about two weeks for a functional trial sample.

It will make oil changes so simple.

Last edited by gcalo; 08-02-2014 at 07:02 AM.
Old 08-02-2014, 10:19 AM
  #34  
Members
 
DanL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ellicott City, MD
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 535i M Sport
Model Year: 2010
Default

I went to change the diff fluid in my 535i (83K miles) ths morning since I"m about to head off on a 900 mile trip. I removed the plug, inserted the suction tube, and the fluid that came out looked as good as new. I was very surprised to find it was a nice light golden color. So I simply topped off the little amount I had removed, installed the new plug with the o-ring, and called it a day.
Old 08-02-2014, 10:56 AM
  #35  
Senior Members
 
turboawd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i
Default

Originally Posted by DanL
I went to change the diff fluid in my 535i (83K miles) ths morning since I"m about to head off on a 900 mile trip. I removed the plug, inserted the suction tube, and the fluid that came out looked as good as new. I was very surprised to find it was a nice light golden color. So I simply topped off the little amount I had removed, installed the new plug with the o-ring, and called it a day.
I changed my 550 diff lube at around 90 or 100k miles. The old fluid literally came out looking like new.
Old 08-02-2014, 01:16 PM
  #36  
New Members
 
gcalo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: San Ramon, CA
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 530i
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
Default

Interesting the reports of old differential oil.

Remember that oil ages and breaks down from heat, and the heat in a differential can get very high.

So while that oil might look OK nothing extends bearing and seal life like clean oil.

I'd change it every 30K -50K miles.
Old 09-16-2014, 09:59 AM
  #37  
Members
 
vascool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

are there any o-rings or washers that need replacement (drain or fill plugs)?
Old 09-16-2014, 10:16 AM
  #38  
New Members
 
gcalo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: San Ramon, CA
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 530i
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
Default

no o-rings but should be a compression washer
Old 09-16-2014, 10:22 AM
  #39  
Members
 
vascool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

should it be replaced?
Old 09-16-2014, 10:33 AM
  #40  
New Members
 
gcalo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: San Ramon, CA
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 530i
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
Default

Hard to tell.

Many times compression seal rings have a long re-use life.

For oil changes I always replace it, because it comes with the filter kit.

About to remove my rear-end drain plug to re-install my newly designed drain/refill plug.

I will see if the seal looks like it needs replacing.


Quick Reply: Differential fluid change interval



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:39 PM.