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Thread: Tranny Fluid Change

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    SC
    Posts
    14

    Default Tranny Fluid Change

    My "new" 1995 525i has 98k miles and unsure when/if the PO last changed the auto tranny fluid. No problems with performance ( GM A4S 310R ) - just bothers me not knowing. Here is my "cautious" ( anal ) approach in case the fluid has never been changed:

    1) Drain pan only and refill with Mobil 1 Synthetic
    2) Drive approx 500 miles
    3) Drop pan & sump, replace fluid, new filter, gaskets and Mobil 1

    The thinking is the first change should allow the Mobil 1 to clean out/loosen crud, the second get it out of the transmission. This seems to be the common theme in previous posts. Any other thoughts?

    Also -is there a crush ring on the drain bolt? Can't find any listed on parts websites and my filter service kit doesn't have one.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Benneton (United Colors of)
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    3,067

    Default

    i've been trying to get a straight answer out of people in the know about this for a long time.....I SUSPECT that mobil 1 atf might clean, but that might be harmful to the smaller passages in a transmission valve body, as opposed to a engine and its comparitively larger passages. i'd say that it probably DOESN"T clean.
    "..Torchinski v. Peterson that it is legal to carry a concealed weapon, so long the weapon is totally slick like a huge ass machine gun that you carry under a trench coat, like in the Matrix."


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Eastern Tennessee USi
    Posts
    14,839

    Default

    dont that trans take dextron III? if so any synthetic dextron III is good.
    Rule of thumb on higher mileage transmissions is drain fluid and change filter, refill and dont change it for at least an additional 20k miles. Theory is if you "shock" it with flush after flush of new stuff it wont be happy anymore.
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Lexington, Kentucky
    Posts
    2,561

    Default My recent experience- still all good

    Recently I had my indy put in amost 7 quarts (empty about 8.8 quarts) of Mobil 1 synthetic atf with a new filter kit. They drained and cleaned both pans and blew air through the oil cooler lines to remove as much of the old fluid as possible. They left the old atf in the torque converter as there is no drain. Note, they did not flush, they drained.

    BTW, the trany had been fully serviced with filter etc. about 31,000 miles ago. While I did not notice a problem before the change, It seems as if the trany now shifts slightly smoother and has a littlle bit more pep off the line.
    __________________



    Quote Originally Posted by 525e34
    My "new" 1995 525i has 98k miles and unsure when/if the PO last changed the auto tranny fluid. No problems with performance ( GM A4S 310R ) - just bothers me not knowing. Here is my "cautious" ( anal ) approach in case the fluid has never been changed:

    1) Drain pan only and refill with Mobil 1 Synthetic
    2) Drive approx 500 miles
    3) Drop pan & sump, replace fluid, new filter, gaskets and Mobil 1

    The thinking is the first change should allow the Mobil 1 to clean out/loosen crud, the second get it out of the transmission. This seems to be the common theme in previous posts. Any other thoughts?

    Also -is there a crush ring on the drain bolt? Can't find any listed on parts websites and my filter service kit doesn't have one.
    Last edited by Russell; 04-22-2005 at 11:39 AM.
    Thanks,

    1995 525i Auto, M50TU 2.5L, EAT chip, 1/95 build, USA, 205/65/15 tires, ASC+T, HID, lumbar, EC Mirror, BMW Alpine 5 radio with BMW-Pioneer CD Changer, abt 236k miles, Oxford Green/Parchment

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Eastern Tennessee USi
    Posts
    14,839

    Default

    once its changed a couple times you can change it more often
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Clarkville, Tennessee
    Posts
    21

    Default Allow to drain overnight

    I've changed to Redline ATF in the same tranny as yours and changed it twice. I got out 8.5q which is double other's experience. I'm not sure why, but the car stood overnight with the pans off, and tilted slightly forward on the jackstands.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Minneapolis
    Posts
    24

    Default My experience:

    Here's my post from last year.
    Still running strong!
    Beachcomber
    1994 530ia (4/93)
    1997 540ia (7/96)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    SC
    Posts
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    Default

    Thanks a lot for the info. How many miles did you drive between each oil change before you dropped the pan and filter? Also - does your drain bolt have a crush washer?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Minneapolis
    Posts
    24

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 525e34
    Thanks a lot for the info. How many miles did you drive between each oil change before you dropped the pan and filter? Also - does your drain bolt have a crush washer?
    I drove at most 5 miles total between drain/refills - I just hopped on the freeway. I ordered a filter kit from Kirt Koeller - I don't recall whether the drain and fill plugs required washers or not....
    Beachcomber
    1994 530ia (4/93)
    1997 540ia (7/96)

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Minneapolis
    Posts
    24

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 525e34
    Thanks a lot for the info. How many miles did you drive between each oil change before you dropped the pan and filter? Also - does your drain bolt have a crush washer?
    Not your transmission, but a good write-up:
    http://www.e38.org/zf-5hp30-service.html
    Beachcomber
    1994 530ia (4/93)
    1997 540ia (7/96)

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