[ozzy1]

Originally Posted by madbill683

ozzy1,

This is good news. I started with the project to change all fluids, have only completed the rear diff. I was worried about the TC throwing a code after I changed the fluid, since our '07 328xi wagon is the wife's DD. I called another local dealer, and they don't recommend changing fluids, and of course the SA does not know if anything has to be reset after the TC fluid is changed. The nearest dealer wants $505 labor to change the trans fluid alone, and the dealer I called today recommends not changing it, and they "suck" out the old fluid. I have all the parts, I'm dropping the pan and replacing the filter.

I plan to follow the advice of Bossimo and let the car go to sleep before I do the TC.

Bill

Excellent news. Hopefully the sleep trick will work for you. If you don't have one, invest in a BT tool. Couple of them were on sale recently.

Since the fluid in tc is very little to begin with, make sure, as best possible, that the car is level.

Another quick point, For me, racheting 14mm wrench worked best/easiest (anything to make life easy while under there...)

Cheers.

[madbill683]

Ditto the amount of fluid in the tc...cannot believe the dealer says not to change it.

Thanks for the tip, I have yet to crawl under the car.

What model of BT tool do you have? I'd like to get one tool that works on the BMW and the Volvos I have, too.

[ozzy1]

I have Enthusiast bought from a member. Have no clue if it works on volvos though...

[madbill683]

OK, seems the best way to buy, used. From what I've read, will not work on other cars.....

[jacobsed]

I've driven my 2006 330xi almost 30K miles after changing the TC fluid myself. Absolutely no issues to date and I didn't reset anything.

[madbill683]

Thanks jacobsed. From one of the posts on this forum, I was led to believe there may be a difference in the 2007 model year. That, and the dealer trying to dissuade me from changing fluids.

I'm attempting it, anyway.

Bill

[jacobsed]

Originally Posted by madbill683

Thanks jacobsed. From one of the posts on this forum, I was led to believe there may be a difference in the 2007 model year. That, and the dealer trying to dissuade me from changing fluids.

I'm attempting it, anyway.

Bill

Definitely do it. The hardest part was handing over the money they charge for one liter of the TC fluid. You have to buy the BMW fluid, there isn't an aftermarket substitute. I put redline in my diffs and manual tranny.

[madbill683]

Just need to do it...got four new jackstands that I needed anyway. I went with Bavauto's LiquiMoly diff oil, did the rear already. I bought the BMW TC oil, almost $60/L. I got a case of Valvoline Dexron VI for the GM tranny. And pumps, etc to fill it. The car has so little clearance, it will be an effort getting it up on stands.

[jacobsed]

Originally Posted by madbill683

Just need to do it...got four new jackstands that I needed anyway. I went with Bavauto's LiquiMoly diff oil, did the rear already. I bought the BMW TC oil, almost $60/L. I got a case of Valvoline Dexron VI for the GM tranny. And pumps, etc to fill it. The car has so little clearance, it will be an effort getting it up on stands.

That's cool. I'm not sure what kind of clearance you have around the TC drain and fill plugs but for mine I needed to cut down and allen wrench, fit it on the plug and then turn it a tiny bit at a time with an open ended wrench. There is a cross member in the way. It doesn't look like there is room to do it but it works no problem and much easier than taking out the cross member.

My neighbor has a nice shop with a couple car lifts so doing maintenance is pretty easy for me. Good luck and have fun!

[E36graduate]

Changed the TC on my build date 1/2008 about 30K miles ago, I believe I used ATF and all is well. Probably rechange this summer. Car has 120K miles on it now.

[madbill683]

Will ATF work? If so, we got ripped off...

[ozzy1]

Originally Posted by madbill683

Will ATF work? If so, we got ripped off...

It may but I wouldn't take that chance on one of the most expensive parts of the car. 1 liter does 2 changes. That's $30 per change. To save $20 risking the TC, I don't think so.

[jacobsed]

Originally Posted by ozzy1

It may but I wouldn't take that chance on one of the most expensive parts of the car. 1 liter does 2 changes. That's $30 per change. To save $20 risking the TC, I don't think so.

I don't think 1L will do two changes. I've got less than half left in my bottle.

[ozzy1]

Originally Posted by jacobsed

I don't think 1L will do two changes. I've got less than half left in my bottle.

Ok. Fair enough. My point is, to each his own really. I wouldn't risk my TC to save couple of hundred bucks, let alone 20-30. Because, effectively, best we know it, that is risking the equipment. We all have thoughts and beliefs.

[madbill683]

Well, I went to great lengths to get the 'correct' BMW TC fluid, even the recommended diff fluid (even though RL would work). The latest dealer I spoke to did nto comment when I told him I was putting Dexron 6 in the tranny.

I hope I don't spill 500ml or so just getting the BMW stuff into the TC!

[ozzy1]

Originally Posted by madbill683

Well, I went to great lengths to get the 'correct' BMW TC fluid, even the recommended diff fluid (even though RL would work). The latest dealer I spoke to did nto comment when I told him I was putting Dexron 6 in the tranny.

I hope I don't spill 500ml or so just getting the BMW stuff into the TC!

Recommend pouring the TC fluid to a wide base plastic cup/bowl, then pumping from there. It would need to be very clean and dry of course.

[madbill683]

Good idea. All I could envision was the 1L bottle tipping over in the middle of the process...I even thought about duct taping the bottle to the concrete floor.

I plan to use my new Northern Tool transfer pump on this, before it gets contaminated by ATF. I'll try your idea.

[jacobsed]

I used a cheap bottle pump like this.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Torani-Syr...00000007346530


I clipped the very end of the nozzle off and pushed a piece of hose on the end of it. Now its my TC fluid only pump.

[jacobsed]

Originally Posted by ozzy1

Ok. Fair enough. My point is, to each his own really. I wouldn't risk my TC to save couple of hundred bucks, let alone 20-30. Because, effectively, best we know it, that is risking the equipment. We all have thoughts and beliefs.

Totally, you should only use BMW TC fluid in the TC.

I did however use RL in the diffs and manual tranny. RL is an equal or better substitute.

The GM auto tranny takes Dexron VI according to Bentley manual.
Shell M-1375.4 is used in the auto ZF tranny.

[madbill683]

+1 on the Bentley manual.

[madbill683]

Update: Yesterday I began the chore, got the front diff fluid changed, and the stuff that came out was not that bad. I was not successful in removing the TC crossmember, so that will wait for another day.

I've re-thought the tranny fluid change, and think I will do a gradual drain & fill. I'll drain the pan, and add 2-3 quarts at a time. The filter can probably wait.

I wish everything was as accessible as the front diff.

[ozzy1]

Originally Posted by madbill683

Update: Yesterday I began the chore, got the front diff fluid changed, and the stuff that came out was not that bad. I was not successful in removing the TC crossmember, so that will wait for another day.

I've re-thought the tranny fluid change, and think I will do a gradual drain & fill. I'll drain the pan, and add 2-3 quarts at a time. The filter can probably wait.

I wish everything was as accessible as the front diff.

It was not super easy (without removing it) but you do not need to remove the cross member. I used a ratching 14mm wrench, and a hammered out 14mm allen head. Hammering it out is quite easy. Flat head and a hammer. Ratcheting helps with what minimal movement we have because the member is not removed. If you get the wrench and the allen paired up and stick it through the limited space, you should be able to place the allen key on the fill bolt. Then since its ratcheting, things are little easier. Obviously, first attempt to loosen the bolt will be the tough part. Hope I am making sense.