HELP - auto transmission flush and refill problem

brianwad · 12-16-2011, 12:26 PM

So I read the DIY on how to flush and refill the transmission on my 328 wagon (GM version transmission) and got to work.

Went well. Put the pan back. Pumped in fresh fluid (Dexron VI) until it dripped out and closed the fill hole.

Started the engine to begin the warm-up and final fill. Bad news I think. I can hear a grumbling noise from the box. I then make sure it is as full as possible when cold but still the noise. I run the engine for a few minutes, shift through the R/N/D positions. Still a low level grumble/rumble.

How big a problem do I have?

33beto · 12-16-2011, 12:41 PM

Wow, that sound like trouble. Im gonna do mine soon.

Did you make sure the seal from the old filter neck was removed?

Is the new filter pushed all the way in? could be sucking air instead of oil.

I hope is nothing serious bro!

Lou.

brianwad · 12-17-2011, 05:27 AM

The original seal was a really tight fit and I had seen others leave it in - so I did not replace it. You have a good point though.

The new filter is pushed in hard. Actually the pan will not go back unless it is.

I guess the question is whether a less than absolutely perfect seal for the filter is significant?

Thanks for the wishes.

mike3000fl · 12-18-2011, 07:14 PM

may want to call or email these guys tomorrow....

http://www.thectsc.com/index.php?p=c...parent=63&pg=1

5tony · 12-18-2011, 08:05 PM

On some other BMWs, aftermarket filters will cause whining from the transmission. Did you use an original BMW filter?

brianwad · 12-20-2011, 06:33 AM

I've pretty much decided to drop the pan and reseat the filter (yes it is a BMW part) but I have one more question.

When cycling the box after the initial fill is it important to use manual mode to go through each gear individually?

Thanks guys

5tony · 12-20-2011, 07:01 AM

Yes, make sure you cycle through all the gears in manual mode. It's best to have someone else do that as you pump the fluid in. Remember, you have to do the filling quickly so the transmission doesn't get too warm. Once it's warm, it won't let you pump more fluid in.

33beto · 01-08-2012, 01:08 AM

whats the update on this issue?

BlackDesertTango · 01-14-2012, 06:55 PM

Bump! What's the update?

brianwad · 01-25-2012, 12:39 PM

I left the car alone while I enjoyed my other cars and dealt with some important personal matters. Back on it now. Will report soon!

brianwad · 01-28-2012, 03:23 PM

Completed the job. All seems OK.

I think I just did not follow procedure properly. I did not run it through the gears as well as I should so that it would not take all the fluid it needed. This time around it took more fluid.

Thanks everybody.

blingman · 02-15-2012, 06:36 PM

I think I'm getting this same noise, I tried draining and refilling and still same noise. Any help and what you did second time around when filling it up? I start car to warm up, shift through all gears 5 seconds in each, then left it running then open hole and fill then it spilled. Did you do anything that I missed that may help?

Chriztofor · 02-15-2012, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5tony

Yes, make sure you cycle through all the gears in manual mode. It's best to have someone else do that as you pump the fluid in. Remember, you have to do the filling quickly so the transmission doesn't get too warm. Once it's warm, it won't let you pump more fluid in.

Wait a minute, manual mode? You have to shift through the gears, if what you mean is to place it in sport mode and then go up and down with the shifter then that is incorrect.

Chriztofor · 02-15-2012, 07:07 PM

Op, curious, how many miles on your car?

33beto · 02-16-2012, 12:36 AM

I hope is nothing serious bro.

brianwad · 02-16-2012, 04:26 AM

60,000 miles on car. And all is well now. Over 2,000 miles since flush.

brianwad · 02-16-2012, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blingman

I think I'm getting this same noise, I tried draining and refilling and still same noise. Any help and what you did second time around when filling it up? I start car to warm up, shift through all gears 5 seconds in each, then left it running then open hole and fill then it spilled. Did you do anything that I missed that may help?

The second time I was more patient and deliberate. I put it into as many gears as I could 3rd to 6th were not available because the engine was idling. I'm wondering whether its even better to have someone run the engine faster and use all the gears?

JunkStory · 02-17-2012, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianwad

The second time I was more patient and deliberate. I put it into as many gears as I could 3rd to 6th were not available because the engine was idling. I'm wondering whether its even better to have someone run the engine faster and use all the gears?

So in total, how much fluid did you pump back in, and how much did you initially get out?

I just did this procedure as well, I got 5.4l out and managed to eventually get 4.9l in, not bad I would say, because the manufacturer probably overfilled the transmission from another entry point.

brianwad · 02-27-2012, 05:31 PM

Not sure. Your numbers seem right - about 5 liters.

Freefreefive · 02-28-2012, 07:08 AM

Make sure levels are correct - iirc you need to measure fluid with the tranny at 50 deg Celsius to get a proper level

12-16-2011, 12:26 PM	#1
brianwad New Member 1 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2002 M3 Ve Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Fe, NM iTrader: (0)	HELP - auto transmission flush and refill problem So I read the DIY on how to flush and refill the transmission on my 328 wagon (GM version transmission) and got to work. Went well. Put the pan back. Pumped in fresh fluid (Dexron VI) until it dripped out and closed the fill hole. Started the engine to begin the warm-up and final fill. Bad news I think. I can hear a grumbling noise from the box. I then make sure it is as full as possible when cold but still the noise. I run the engine for a few minutes, shift through the R/N/D positions. Still a low level grumble/rumble. How big a problem do I have? Last edited by brianwad; 12-17-2011 at 05:22 AM.. Reason: Capitalize Header
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12-16-2011, 12:41 PM	#2
33beto Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 275 Posts Drives: R.I.P. 08 E90 328i/GM 6L45E Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Wow, that sound like trouble. Im gonna do mine soon. Did you make sure the seal from the old filter neck was removed? Is the new filter pushed all the way in? could be sucking air instead of oil. I hope is nothing serious bro! Lou.
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12-17-2011, 05:27 AM	#3
brianwad New Member 1 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2002 M3 Ve Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Fe, NM iTrader: (0)	The original seal was a really tight fit and I had seen others leave it in - so I did not replace it. You have a good point though. The new filter is pushed in hard. Actually the pan will not go back unless it is. I guess the question is whether a less than absolutely perfect seal for the filter is significant? Thanks for the wishes.
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12-18-2011, 07:14 PM	#4
mike3000fl Banned 138 Rep 2,731 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tampa iTrader: (0)	may want to call or email these guys tomorrow.... http://www.thectsc.com/index.php?p=c...parent=63&pg=1
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12-18-2011, 08:05 PM	#5
5tony Lieutenant 152 Rep 501 Posts Drives: '21 M5/'15 X5 35i/'88 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (1)	On some other BMWs, aftermarket filters will cause whining from the transmission. Did you use an original BMW filter?
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12-20-2011, 06:33 AM	#6
brianwad New Member 1 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2002 M3 Ve Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Fe, NM iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the feedback - here goes. I've pretty much decided to drop the pan and reseat the filter (yes it is a BMW part) but I have one more question. When cycling the box after the initial fill is it important to use manual mode to go through each gear individually? Thanks guys
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12-20-2011, 07:01 AM	#7
5tony Lieutenant 152 Rep 501 Posts Drives: '21 M5/'15 X5 35i/'88 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (1)	Yes, make sure you cycle through all the gears in manual mode. It's best to have someone else do that as you pump the fluid in. Remember, you have to do the filling quickly so the transmission doesn't get too warm. Once it's warm, it won't let you pump more fluid in.
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01-08-2012, 01:08 AM	#8
33beto Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 275 Posts Drives: R.I.P. 08 E90 328i/GM 6L45E Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	whats the update on this issue? __________________ R.I.P 10/14/12
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01-14-2012, 06:55 PM	#9
BlackDesertTango Private First Class 23 Rep 111 Posts Drives: 2006 330 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento, CA iTrader: (0)	Bump! What's the update? __________________ 2006 330 Premium Package AT Steptronic
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01-25-2012, 12:39 PM	#10
brianwad New Member 1 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2002 M3 Ve Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Fe, NM iTrader: (0)	Update I left the car alone while I enjoyed my other cars and dealt with some important personal matters. Back on it now. Will report soon!
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01-28-2012, 03:23 PM	#11
brianwad New Member 1 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2002 M3 Ve Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Fe, NM iTrader: (0)	Victory hereby declared. Completed the job. All seems OK. I think I just did not follow procedure properly. I did not run it through the gears as well as I should so that it would not take all the fluid it needed. This time around it took more fluid. Thanks everybody.
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02-15-2012, 06:36 PM	#12
blingman Lieutenant 40 Rep 413 Posts Drives: 3er Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Houston iTrader: (2)	I think I'm getting this same noise, I tried draining and refilling and still same noise. Any help and what you did second time around when filling it up? I start car to warm up, shift through all gears 5 seconds in each, then left it running then open hole and fill then it spilled. Did you do anything that I missed that may help?
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02-15-2012, 07:07 PM	#14
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	Op, curious, how many miles on your car? __________________ If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
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02-16-2012, 12:36 AM	#15
33beto Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 275 Posts Drives: R.I.P. 08 E90 328i/GM 6L45E Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	I hope is nothing serious bro. __________________ R.I.P 10/14/12
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02-16-2012, 04:26 AM	#16
brianwad New Member 1 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2002 M3 Ve Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Fe, NM iTrader: (0)	60,000 miles on car. And all is well now. Over 2,000 miles since flush.
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02-27-2012, 05:31 PM	#19
brianwad New Member 1 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2002 M3 Ve Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Fe, NM iTrader: (0)	Not sure. Your numbers seem right - about 5 liters.
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02-28-2012, 07:08 AM	#20
Freefreefive Private First Class 11 Rep 129 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Make sure levels are correct - iirc you need to measure fluid with the tranny at 50 deg Celsius to get a proper level
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