How do you top off tranny fluid?

Zamorskii · 10-09-2008, 07:28 PM

I have a e90 328xi that I need to have tranny fluid topped off. Does anyone know where the plug on this car is?
I looked all over, but can't seem to find it

F32Fleet · 10-10-2008, 08:17 AM

There's a dipstick for the tranny fluid on your XI???

battlehawk1025 · 10-10-2008, 12:09 PM

there isn't one

Zamorskii · 10-10-2008, 06:40 PM

I think I found the filling hole. I have not checked it on the car, but according to realoem it should be somewhere on the driver's side of the rear portion of the transmission.

Placey · 10-11-2008, 06:43 AM

its on the rear of the transmission towards the right side

its in between the transmission and the transfer case supporting bracket

It needs to be filled while the engine is running and the transmission oil is between 30-50 decgrees celcius

It is a PIA to get to, and a sealed system, therefore if you dont have a leak, you are best to just leave it alone

F32Fleet · 10-13-2008, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Placey

its on the rear of the transmission towards the right side

its in between the transmission and the transfer case supporting bracket

It needs to be filled while the engine is running and the transmission oil is between 30-50 decgrees celcius

It is a PIA to get to, and a sealed system, therefore if you dont have a leak, you are best to just leave it alone

Sounds like the OP is working on the transmission and or is trying a dyi fluid change. BTW...I have a question (u sound like a BMW tech), don't the A/Ts have coolant lines running to an A/T radiator? And if so, couldn't someone change the fluid by pushing clean through one line while evacuating the "dirty" fluid through the other line?

SoCalTech · 10-13-2008, 09:01 AM

You would need a pump to push the new fluid in in that case. You have the trans pump pushing the fluid towards the cooler, but the trans won't just suck in the new fluid.

O-cha · 10-13-2008, 09:14 AM

Oh for fucks sake. If you do not know where the plug is you should not be messing with it. You can easily destroy your transmission by overfilling/under filling or using the wrong stuff.

LEAVE IT ALONE.

F32Fleet · 10-13-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalTech

You would need a pump to push the new fluid in in that case. You have the trans pump pushing the fluid towards the cooler, but the trans won't just suck in the new fluid.

~15 years ago I had the A/T fluid on my Limited Wagoneer changed in that manner. There were two large reservoirs (one for ditry fluid and one for the new), and the machine pushed through the new and out the old through the coolant lines. I thought it was pretty nifty, and I'm surprised it hasn't been done on the A/T's for these cars.

http://www.gadgetonline.com/TransFlush.htm <---something like this

SoCalTech · 10-14-2008, 12:05 AM

^That's basically what I used when I worked at GM. But BMW's auto trans either have lifetime fluid, or BMW just says a drain and fill is good enough. Even when we do repairs on the trans, we are supposed to capture the old fluid and put it back in. They're really not in the mindset of changing the fluid.

10-09-2008, 07:28 PM	#1
Zamorskii Lieutenant 186 Rep 476 Posts Drives: '23 M3CX Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bloomington, MN iTrader: (1)	How do you top off tranny fluid? I have a e90 328xi that I need to have tranny fluid topped off. Does anyone know where the plug on this car is? I looked all over, but can't seem to find it
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10-10-2008, 08:17 AM	#2
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3570 Rep 10,351 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	There's a dipstick for the tranny fluid on your XI???
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10-10-2008, 12:09 PM	#3
battlehawk1025 battlehawk1025 44 Rep 883 Posts Drives: 2007 335XI 6mt, SL 65 , M6 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: wilmette/chicago,IL iTrader: (4)	there isn't one
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10-10-2008, 06:40 PM	#4
Zamorskii Lieutenant 186 Rep 476 Posts Drives: '23 M3CX Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bloomington, MN iTrader: (1)	I think I found the filling hole. I have not checked it on the car, but according to realoem it should be somewhere on the driver's side of the rear portion of the transmission.
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10-11-2008, 06:43 AM	#5
Placey First Lieutenant 15 Rep 367 Posts Drives: 08 Z4 3.0SI Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Upstate New York iTrader: (1)	its on the rear of the transmission towards the right side its in between the transmission and the transfer case supporting bracket It needs to be filled while the engine is running and the transmission oil is between 30-50 decgrees celcius It is a PIA to get to, and a sealed system, therefore if you dont have a leak, you are best to just leave it alone __________________ 08 Z4 3.0SI Black Sapphire/Black Int, 6sp, Sport/Premium --- retired --- 2010 BMW 650GS -- Z4 replacement Working with the most talented people on the most technically advanced automobiles....
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10-13-2008, 09:01 AM	#7
SoCalTech Captain 24 Rep 648 Posts Drives: Not a BMW yet... Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Redondo Beach, Ca iTrader: (0)	You would need a pump to push the new fluid in in that case. You have the trans pump pushing the fluid towards the cooler, but the trans won't just suck in the new fluid.
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10-13-2008, 09:14 AM	#8
O-cha Brigadier General 218 Rep 4,726 Posts Drives: Mcoupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: In front of you iTrader: (2)	Oh for fucks sake. If you do not know where the plug is you should not be messing with it. You can easily destroy your transmission by overfilling/under filling or using the wrong stuff. LEAVE IT ALONE. __________________
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10-14-2008, 12:05 AM	#10
SoCalTech Captain 24 Rep 648 Posts Drives: Not a BMW yet... Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Redondo Beach, Ca iTrader: (0)	^That's basically what I used when I worked at GM. But BMW's auto trans either have lifetime fluid, or BMW just says a drain and fill is good enough. Even when we do repairs on the trans, we are supposed to capture the old fluid and put it back in. They're really not in the mindset of changing the fluid.
	Appreciate 0 Quote