changing the oil on a 540 tranny

[ejhiggins]

what's the best way to check the temperature of the fluid , i know it has to be around 50 degrees celcius to get the right amount of fluid in there, also where is the best place to get the filter and gasket kit.

[tim]

Jaggi imports or Kirt Koeller's shop is the place to go for filter kit and fluid, and don't go anywhere else as you will never be sure you are getting the updated ZF kit.

50 degrees celsius is the upper limit for the test. If you reach this temperature, you will have to stop and wait for it to cool down b/c if you fill at this temperature your fluid will be too low by 1/2 liter or more.

In practice, when you're ready to refill, and you dont have all the fancy stuff, start with the car cold, run it for a minute with the lights on, and then start. As long as you get it done in 15 minutes or so you will be ok. Much better to be at the lower end of the temp range than the high. Do a board search on "5hp30 service" as there as several good faq's floating around. Don't put anything but the Shell or Esso fluid as indicated. You will need a 17mm hex key, and a torx driver bit for the case.

[632 Regal]

trans pan should be warm to the touch, not too hot as to burn your hand. Have the car on ramps in the front and chocked, vary stable with stands in the back with some sort of safety catch. Get a hand pump for the fluid or stick a hose in the bottle and squeeze it up into the trans til it pours out. Car has to be level and running and when it starts trickling out go and put foot on brake and go from park to low slowly and back to part then finish filling it up.
Be real safe here, could be dangerous with the ramp thing.

http://www.bimmer.info/~632regal/saf...amp%20rear.JPG

[MBXB]

Here's the link from the E38 board. Same trans.

http://www.e38.org/zf-5hp30-service.html

what's the best way to check the temperature of the fluid , i know it has to be around 50 degrees celcius to get the right amount of fluid in there, also where is the best place to get the filter and gasket kit.