[Persian Whisperjet]

It was straightforward but then again it was DIY day at my BMW CCA chapter so I had a lift.

The main challenge was the slightly slapstick routine of filling the new pan, replacing the fill plug, lowering the car, starting the engine, foot on brake while you row through the gears, THEN leaving the car in park with the engine running, raising the car back up and getting the fill plug off.

The trick is to continue filling the transmission with the fluid between 40-50 degrees centigrade. The engine warms up fairly quickly so you have to move smartly. After about two minutes under the car it had hit 45 degrees.

Fortunately, I had a helper who kept the temp gun pointed at the pan and called out the temps as I pumped. Car took exactly five liters. The whole job took about two hours including reattaching all the underside panels.

[eurojulien]

Did you do the mechatronic sleeve as well?

[Persian Whisperjet]

Originally Posted by eurojulien

Did you do the mechatronic sleeve as well?

Nope didn't know about that one.

[fsd350]

I asked the banished one about replacing the sleeve a while ago and he said it was not a commonly failing part on 6hp28 and better leaving it as is.

[BB_cuda]

Mine took more like 5 minutes and the temp settled out at about 43C. I'm using an aluminum pan though so it dumps heat way more than plastic one. I put in about 5.5 L

[fsd350]

Originally Posted by BB_cuda

Mine took more like 5 minutes and the temp settled out at about 43C. I'm using an aluminum pan though so it dumps heat way more than plastic one. I put in about 5.5 L

That Alpina pan of yours is nice!

[BB_cuda]

Thanks Fsd350. It was costly with needed machining. Hoping it pays off in better durability and cooler operating temps

[335duff]

Just had my fluid and mechatronic sealing sleeve replaced at 47k. Car feels noticeably smoother, especially in stop and go. SA said the filter looked fine : and didn't replace it.

[Chief Orman]

Originally Posted by 335duff

Just had my fluid and mechatronic sealing sleeve replaced at 47k. Car feels noticeably smoother, especially in stop and go. SA said the filter looked fine : and didn't replace it.

I don't know why the SA wouldn't change the filter...what exactly does "it looks fine" mean given the construction of the filter how can you really tell? Not trying to be critical and perhaps the SA was trying to save you money, but as one who got a new transmission at 70k I feel like babying the transmission is money well spent.

[335duff]

TBH I agree completley.

I brought the car in saying essentially "Please replace transmission fluid filter, I know you think theyre both lifetime but I think your full of shit and its my car" and then when I came to pick up my car the paperwork said that they did something different. Asked SA about it and he said "its a lifetime filter........." fuckers......Will do it next time for sure. It isn't like I trust my SA further than I could throw him (probably at least 4 feet, I work out every day and hes short), but it does feel almost perfect now.

Additionally, I asked for the entire service history and he told me I could look at it but couldn't take a copy as its "classified." Like BMW centers have a secret servce that will crack down lol.

[Chief Orman]

Originally Posted by 335duff

TBH I agree completley.

I brought the car in saying essentially "Please replace transmission fluid filter, I know you think theyre both lifetime but I think your full of shit and its my car" and then when I came to pick up my car the paperwork said that they did something different. Asked SA about it and he said "its a lifetime filter........." fuckers......Will do it next time for sure. It isn't like I trust my SA further than I could throw him (probably at least 4 feet, I work out every day and hes short), but it does feel almost perfect now.

Additionally, I asked for the entire service history and he told me I could look at it but couldn't take a copy as its "classified." Like BMW centers have a secret servce that will crack down lol.

I had exactly the same experience when I asked my SA to print out my service history...you would have thought I had asked him for his personal tax return. He even tried to pretend his printer was broken before he relented and gave it to me. Stupid behavior that totally undermines trust.

Personally, given the mods to my car, I will be changing my fluid every 25,000 miles.

[Hoooper]

Huh, they gave me the service history without me even asking. Lol. If I had brought it in asking for a new filter and they didn't do a new filter I would have raged, especially since you can't see any of the filter at all without destroying the pan to get to it.

[Yozh]

I had no problems getting the history printed for my car either.

[Pierre Louis]

Originally Posted by eurojulien

Did you do the mechatronic sleeve as well?

I just had my fluid/pan/filter changed at almost 70K miles and it feels significantly better shifting and less perceived slippage.

They changed the mechatronic sleeve as well as the bolts with the new pan/filter.

Very satisfied. About $630 "Bring My Wallet" lighter now!

PL

[Dazza335iC]

Originally Posted by Persian Whisperjet

It was straightforward but then again it was DIY day at my BMW CCA chapter so I had a lift.

The main challenge was the slightly slapstick routine of filling the new pan, replacing the fill plug, lowering the car, starting the engine, foot on brake while you row through the gears, THEN leaving the car in park with the engine running, raising the car back up and getting the fill plug off.

The trick is to continue filling the transmission with the fluid between 40-50 degrees centigrade. The engine warms up fairly quickly so you have to move smartly. After about two minutes under the car it had hit 45 degrees.

Fortunately, I had a helper who kept the temp gun pointed at the pan and called out the temps as I pumped. Car took exactly five liters. The whole job took about two hours including reattaching all the underside panels.

Is there a formal write-up on this procedure? Bentley manual maybe?

[Persian Whisperjet]

Dazza if you go to Youtube there is a pretty decent tutorial from ZF -- the first five minutes if them hectoring you not to use non-ZF fluids.

[Dazza335iC]

Originally Posted by Persian Whisperjet

Dazza if you go to Youtube there is a pretty decent tutorial from ZF -- the first five minutes if them hectoring you not to use non-ZF fluids.

Thanks! I found a pretty great write-up on it here too: http://www.zf.com/global/media/medie...hselkit_EN.pdf

[Yozh]

ctsc.com has kits and a good FYI section with directions.

[08TUNDRA]

Did you end up using ZF lifeguard 6? Or something else I ask because I am planning to do this im almost at 80k.

[Persian Whisperjet]

Originally Posted by dmikhael619

Did you end up using ZF lifeguard 6? Or something else I ask because I am planning to do this im almost at 80k.

I was sufficiently intimidated by the ZF infomercial that I accepted no substitute. but gosh that stuff is expensive.

[FL335]

I am going in for service next week and the Trans. fluid is being changed. I am under the impression the filter is part of the new pan that gets replaced. This is why the cost is so much for that service. I will probably have the Mechatronic sleeve changed too since they will be in there. Was quoted $607 from my trusted Indy.

[Pierre Louis]

Originally Posted by FL335

I am going in for service next week and the Trans. fluid is being changed. I am under the impression the filter is part of the new pan that gets replaced. This is why the cost is so much for that service. I will probably have the Mechatronic sleeve changed too since they will be in there. Was quoted $607 from my trusted Indy.

That sounds about right. My Indy here in Jacksonville did the sleeve. I also had the differential fluid changed. Will do the power steering fluid myself soon (oven baster technique)

PL