Oil temp when changing trans oil? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Gooby · 01-12-2010, 11:39 AM

For those who have changed their trans oil, did you actually heat up the oil? I have a 06 325 w/steptronic...51k on the clock have the 8 qts pentosin oil and the pan. Now I am kind of confused about the refill temp sticker!! Also did you totally flush the trans? or just add whatever oil you could.

Thanks,
Chris

Turkeybaster115 · 01-12-2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooby

For those who have changed their trans oil, did you actually heat up the oil? I have a 06 325 w/steptronic...51k on the clock have the 8 qts pentosin oil and the pan. Now I am kind of confused about the refill temp sticker!! Also did you totally flush the trans? or just add whatever oil you could.
Thanks,
Chris

Take it to a reputable local shop. They'll know what to do from there.

raceyBMW · 01-12-2010, 03:23 PM

The fluid level cannot be accurately read unless the trans. fluid is in a certain temp. range. I have that info in the Bentley at home, but you will have a hard time verifying this fluid temp without a BMW Diagnostic tool (the BT does not have this capability).

I guess you could try to put in a thermometer into the trans pan through the filler hole and go that route.

Gooby · 01-12-2010, 05:44 PM

ok..the next question is drain and fill? Or a complete flush w/ new fluid.

raceyBMW · 01-12-2010, 06:01 PM

I'm not sure there is a way to completely flush. My vote would be to drain and fill at 50k, then drain & fill & replace filter/pan at 100k.

123Britt · 01-12-2010, 07:22 PM

Ok so I thought I read in the Bentley that the ATF was read most accurately at 85degF ---- So, I was thinking that I would change the ATF on a summer day that was within that range. 85 - 90 deg

.
.
You metioned Petosin so I am thinkin that you have a manual trans?

samchoi604 · 01-12-2010, 08:22 PM

don't do a flush! Just do a change. A flush might cause more harm than good.

Turkeybaster115 · 01-12-2010, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooby

For those who have changed their trans oil, did you actually heat up the oil? I have a 06 325 w/steptronic...51k on the clock have the 8 qts pentosin oil and the pan. Now I am kind of confused about the refill temp sticker!! Also did you totally flush the trans? or just add whatever oil you could.

Thanks,
Chris

Tranny oil temps should be at 40 degrees when you change it. I don't know how the shop measured the temps. Not sure if they did at all. They just let the car cool down real good, before draining and filling it. The guys in the jaguar forums who did it themselves let the car drain over night.

raceyBMW · 01-12-2010, 11:44 PM

There is a sensor in the tranny that reads the fluid temp...a hook up to a BMW Diag. Tool will allow them to read the temp that way...I'm sure its how they would have done it.

You can drain at any temp, that doesn't matter....however you should fill at around 90 degrees as said above (no more than 120 degrees).

Let engine cool some
Pull drain plug and let drain
Screw drain plug back in and take out fill plug
Fill until fluid come out of fill plug
Turn on car, and work through the gears
When temp gets to ~90°F, Fill back up until fluid comes out of fill hole
Screw fill hole back in and you are done!

Also make sure car is completely level during this time.

01-12-2010, 11:39 AM	#1
Gooby Mr. Euro Drives: M3 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bergen County, NJ Posts: 244 iTrader: (1)	Oil temp when changing trans oil? For those who have changed their trans oil, did you actually heat up the oil? I have a 06 325 w/steptronic...51k on the clock have the 8 qts pentosin oil and the pan. Now I am kind of confused about the refill temp sticker!! Also did you totally flush the trans? or just add whatever oil you could. Thanks, Chris __________________ 2011 M3 ZCP
	Tweet

01-12-2010, 05:44 PM	#4
Gooby Mr. Euro Drives: M3 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bergen County, NJ Posts: 244 iTrader: (1)	ok..the next question is drain and fill? Or a complete flush w/ new fluid. __________________ 2011 M3 ZCP

01-12-2010, 07:22 PM	#6
123Britt 07 X5 3.0si & 07 335i 6Mt Drives: 07 335i - SILVER Sport 6MT Join Date: May 2008 Location: Madison, Alabama Posts: 216 iTrader: (0)	85 - 90 deg Change Ok so I thought I read in the Bentley that the ATF was read most accurately at 85degF ---- So, I was thinking that I would change the ATF on a summer day that was within that range. 85 - 90 deg . . You metioned Petosin so I am thinkin that you have a manual trans?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

01-12-2010, 03:23 PM	#3
raceyBMW king of the hills Drives: 335i coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2,461 iTrader: (1) Garage List 1994 530i [4.25] 2007 335i Coupe [4.07]	The fluid level cannot be accurately read unless the trans. fluid is in a certain temp. range. I have that info in the Bentley at home, but you will have a hard time verifying this fluid temp without a BMW Diagnostic tool (the BT does not have this capability). I guess you could try to put in a thermometer into the trans pan through the filler hole and go that route.

01-12-2010, 06:01 PM	#5
raceyBMW king of the hills Drives: 335i coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2,461 iTrader: (1) Garage List 1994 530i [4.25] 2007 335i Coupe [4.07]	I'm not sure there is a way to completely flush. My vote would be to drain and fill at 50k, then drain & fill & replace filter/pan at 100k.

01-12-2010, 08:22 PM	#7
samchoi604 Colonel Drives: black on black Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Burnaby, BC Posts: 2,296 iTrader: (3)	don't do a flush! Just do a change. A flush might cause more harm than good.

01-12-2010, 11:44 PM	#9
raceyBMW king of the hills Drives: 335i coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2,461 iTrader: (1) Garage List 1994 530i [4.25] 2007 335i Coupe [4.07]	There is a sensor in the tranny that reads the fluid temp...a hook up to a BMW Diag. Tool will allow them to read the temp that way...I'm sure its how they would have done it. You can drain at any temp, that doesn't matter....however you should fill at around 90 degrees as said above (no more than 120 degrees). Let engine cool some Pull drain plug and let drain Screw drain plug back in and take out fill plug Fill until fluid come out of fill plug Turn on car, and work through the gears When temp gets to ~90°F, Fill back up until fluid comes out of fill hole Screw fill hole back in and you are done! Also make sure car is completely level during this time.