transmission oil change question
08-01-2012, 08:03 AM
#11
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I'm planning to do a tranny oil change soon. My 06 550 has 58K and I think its about time. Seen examples of very dirty oil after just 50K.
The Raj post is super useful on this site and I suppose the biggest challenge will be jacking the car from the diff. Just hate the idea of having to do this.
Anyway, I plan to do 2 drains and will buy 12 liters of Pentosin.
Questions: 1) After the first drain and refill, would it be advisable to drive for a extended period (say 2000 miles) so that the new and oil properly mix, allowing a uniform 2nd drain of old/new oil and possible breakup of any sludge? 2) Or should a single drive (say 5 or 10 miles) be enough the mix the new and old? I'd prefer option 2 as I'd like fresher oil in right away (90%), whereby the new oil plan filters cleaner oil right away, I only remove the underbody panels once (pain in the ass), and its done for the next 50K.
Appreciate any thoughts on this.
The Raj post is super useful on this site and I suppose the biggest challenge will be jacking the car from the diff. Just hate the idea of having to do this.
Anyway, I plan to do 2 drains and will buy 12 liters of Pentosin.
Questions: 1) After the first drain and refill, would it be advisable to drive for a extended period (say 2000 miles) so that the new and oil properly mix, allowing a uniform 2nd drain of old/new oil and possible breakup of any sludge? 2) Or should a single drive (say 5 or 10 miles) be enough the mix the new and old? I'd prefer option 2 as I'd like fresher oil in right away (90%), whereby the new oil plan filters cleaner oil right away, I only remove the underbody panels once (pain in the ass), and its done for the next 50K.
Appreciate any thoughts on this.
My thoughts on this are that if you have any doubt in what you're doing, don't do it. Take it to a certified BMW dealership (not an indy for this job) and have a trained tech do the trans flush for you. The one thing that I simply REFUSE to skimp on is this service. It is so important that it is done correctly that it's worth every penny. Oh, and when the service tech says that it isn't necessary for your vehicle and it is "lifetime fluid" tell him to pound sand up his ass.
Here's the truth:
1) At 60,000 miles, do your first trans fluid change.
2) Do it again every 30,000 miles after that or every 2 years.
08-01-2012, 09:22 PM
#12
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If you're at 58K miles wait until 80K miles and then do a fluid change. Drive for about 4-5K miles and then change filter and fluid. You'll be fine. Change every 60-75K thereafter. You should be perfectly fine. BTW that E39 is a 1999 528i
08-02-2012, 11:36 AM
#13
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My Ride: E60 530i
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08-12-2012, 01:42 PM
#15
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At about 90K or 95K (have to check my records) i drained and filled then shortly after (within 1K mi) i drained, dropped the pan, installed new one and refilled.
09-01-2012, 07:24 AM
#16
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just did that (change pan and sleeve with new zf fluid) car ran fine for about 1/2 mile then warning lights red tranny fault safe mode only take to dealer/stealer.
09-01-2012, 08:49 AM
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Bummer.
Sorry to hear man, keep us posted on what the problem is. I was told that if the sealing sleeve does not have the correct 3mm gap, then the car won't even start, wondering if the electrical connections are not making good contact and you got the warning lights, or just didn't have enough fluid ??
Sorry to hear man, keep us posted on what the problem is. I was told that if the sealing sleeve does not have the correct 3mm gap, then the car won't even start, wondering if the electrical connections are not making good contact and you got the warning lights, or just didn't have enough fluid ??
09-01-2012, 09:21 AM
#18
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the fliuds are ok being the weekend it's hard to get it back to were it was serviced. i wonder how much i can drive on safe mode the dealer is about a hour away?
09-04-2012, 08:20 PM
#19
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My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i "Ben Hogan's 5 Iron"
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Why did you change the sleeve? Sleeve change isn't trival. If the car is shifting properly and there is sufficient oil, it should be okay. Maybe there is forum guidance somewhere to assist with the problem. Keep us posted. I know it sounds trite, but I'd consider disconnecting the battery and maybe the tranny would reset.
09-06-2012, 12:10 PM
#20
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My Ride: 04 530i
have it now at the dealer the shop that worked on it replaced yhe sleeve because oil the transmission fluid that was around it. the dealer tech also believes that it could not be making correct contact. will post when it si done
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