tranny leak
10-27-2009, 03:46 AM
#1
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My Ride: 545i Sport Package, Black/Grey. Got it July 09.
Model Year: 2004
So, as the title suggests, my tranny is leaking fluid... 
its getting worse too... I took it to Pacific BMW today. I have no warranty but they gave me a free loaner 3 series and are going to do a full inspection of my car including checking out the leak. I'm basically already out $155 for the inspection but don't want this to become a financial nightmare! 
I'll keep you guys updated on what they tell me tomorrow and hopefully one of you experts can steer me in the right direction. My mechanic told me to take it to the dealer because it may be worse than just a leak and that usually the dealers take care of this problem. I hope this isn't true because I really don't want to spend $1000 on this issue...
its getting worse too... I took it to Pacific BMW today. I have no warranty but they gave me a free loaner 3 series and are going to do a full inspection of my car including checking out the leak. I'm basically already out $155 for the inspection but don't want this to become a financial nightmare! I'll keep you guys updated on what they tell me tomorrow and hopefully one of you experts can steer me in the right direction. My mechanic told me to take it to the dealer because it may be worse than just a leak and that usually the dealers take care of this problem. I hope this isn't true because I really don't want to spend $1000 on this issue...
10-27-2009, 04:49 AM
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Originally Posted by danzanchy' post='1041216' date='Oct 27 2009, 06:46 AM
So, as the title suggests, my tranny is leaking fluid... its getting worse too... I took it to Pacific BMW today. I have no warranty but they gave me a free loaner 3 series and are going to do a full inspection of my car including checking out the leak. I'm basically already out $155 for the inspection but don't want this to become a financial nightmare!
I'll keep you guys updated on what they tell me tomorrow and hopefully one of you experts can steer me in the right direction. My mechanic told me to take it to the dealer because it may be worse than just a leak and that usually the dealers take care of this problem. I hope this isn't true because I really don't want to spend $1000 on this issue...
its getting worse too... I took it to Pacific BMW today. I have no warranty but they gave me a free loaner 3 series and are going to do a full inspection of my car including checking out the leak. I'm basically already out $155 for the inspection but don't want this to become a financial nightmare! I'll keep you guys updated on what they tell me tomorrow and hopefully one of you experts can steer me in the right direction. My mechanic told me to take it to the dealer because it may be worse than just a leak and that usually the dealers take care of this problem. I hope this isn't true because I really don't want to spend $1000 on this issue...
https://5series.net/forums/lofiversi...hp/t73285.html
10-27-2009, 04:55 AM
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My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny.
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Originally Posted by danzanchy' post='1041216' date='Oct 27 2009, 07:46 AM
So, as the title suggests, my tranny is leaking fluid... its getting worse too... I took it to Pacific BMW today. I have no warranty but they gave me a free loaner 3 series and are going to do a full inspection of my car including checking out the leak. I'm basically already out $155 for the inspection but don't want this to become a financial nightmare!
I'll keep you guys updated on what they tell me tomorrow and hopefully one of you experts can steer me in the right direction. My mechanic told me to take it to the dealer because it may be worse than just a leak and that usually the dealers take care of this problem. I hope this isn't true because I really don't want to spend $1000 on this issue...
its getting worse too... I took it to Pacific BMW today. I have no warranty but they gave me a free loaner 3 series and are going to do a full inspection of my car including checking out the leak. I'm basically already out $155 for the inspection but don't want this to become a financial nightmare! I'll keep you guys updated on what they tell me tomorrow and hopefully one of you experts can steer me in the right direction. My mechanic told me to take it to the dealer because it may be worse than just a leak and that usually the dealers take care of this problem. I hope this isn't true because I really don't want to spend $1000 on this issue...
Anyway, good luck with this, I hope it's just a minor thing and you can get away with less than $1K. A reputable independent BMW shop could have also done this.
10-27-2009, 05:16 AM
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My Ride: 545i Sport Package, Black/Grey. Got it July 09.
Model Year: 2004
im hoping the transmission is still okay because I was able to drive the car and haven't noticed anything different performance wise... but if this turns out to be a big problem, i think im going to have to be car-less for a while
thanks for the replies btw
thanks for the replies btw
10-27-2009, 09:00 AM
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My Ride: 04 545i Sport Pkg, Cold Weather, Nav
Sorry to hear about this, I just experienced the same problem. I actually had 2 leaks one was from the Mechatronics sleeve for the transmission and one was from a vacuum line they said. Needless to say it sucked since I was leaving for our family vacation the next day. I was fortunate because it was covered under my CPO warranty and done the same day. I believe the actual cost would have been close to $1000 according to my SA.
There is actually a TSB out on the mechatronics sleeve.
Hopefully its just something minor and no need for a transmission. I actually dont know how long mine was leaking for because I didn't notice it until my car was parked for a few days without moving. It never leaked at home or work overnight. The tech at the shop did say that everything did look ok and I shouldn't have anymore problems with it again. If I had a nickel for everytime that was said....
Good luck
There is actually a TSB out on the mechatronics sleeve.
Hopefully its just something minor and no need for a transmission. I actually dont know how long mine was leaking for because I didn't notice it until my car was parked for a few days without moving. It never leaked at home or work overnight. The tech at the shop did say that everything did look ok and I shouldn't have anymore problems with it again. If I had a nickel for everytime that was said....
Good luck
10-28-2009, 12:20 PM
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My Ride: 545i Sport Package, Black/Grey. Got it July 09.
Model Year: 2004
i just got a response back from the dealer today... bastards want to charge $746 just for labor! 
the transmission is okay, so no need to worry about a $7000 replacement
and the problem, just like you guys said, was the mechatronics sleeve and the transmission oil pan gasket... about $438 in parts... do you guys know anywhere in southern cali that wont charge me $750 for an hour of work? 
the transmission is okay, so no need to worry about a $7000 replacement
and the problem, just like you guys said, was the mechatronics sleeve and the transmission oil pan gasket... about $438 in parts... do you guys know anywhere in southern cali that wont charge me $750 for an hour of work?
10-28-2009, 01:38 PM
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My Ride: 2005 BMW 545i, Titanium Silver. Bridgestone 760s on Weds Bavaria II 18" wheels, standard sport pack size. Sport, AT. Latest job - NGK Iridium IX plugs installed.
Members have claimed to be able to replace trans pan in about 30 minutes, so $750 in labor seems outrageous.
10-28-2009, 01:59 PM
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My Ride: 545i Sport Package, Black/Grey. Got it July 09.
Model Year: 2004
my dad is telling me to tell the dealer to just replace the pan and refill the oil... the dealer was saying that they needed to open up the tranny to change the mechatronics sleeve if i remember correctly...
10-28-2009, 08:05 PM
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My Ride: 04 545i Sport Pkg, Cold Weather, Nav
Originally Posted by danzanchy' post='1042252' date='Oct 28 2009, 03:59 PM
my dad is telling me to tell the dealer to just replace the pan and refill the oil... the dealer was saying that they needed to open up the tranny to change the mechatronics sleeve if i remember correctly...
Its true that the pan must be dropped to replace the mechatronics sleeve. They had to drop mine twice because it was still leaking after they took it for a road test. I am sure you could find some indy mech to the work and probably would be much cheaper than the dealer.
Hope it works out for you