DIY E90 Rear Differential Oil Change

kiwi29 · 12-18-2012, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelsonvr6

make sure it is synthetic. We could argue about brands all day but synthetic oil is more stable than dino oil. they do better in extreme heat and cold. if you did use cheaper dino oil i would say the drain interval would be much shorter so it wouldn't be that much of a savings, and why risk it.

Thanks for the reply, ill make sure to use full synthetic only

ddanj · 12-31-2012, 02:20 PM

Is this the right part # for the plug ? 33117525064 I'm guessing it's the same for all e90s ( I have a 2006 330i)

Thanks!

GoRomeo · 12-31-2012, 02:28 PM

Nice write up and thanks for sharing but its a bit scary in my opinion. I wonder how much a Indy shop or at the dealer charges for this kind of job.

Aund3e · 01-02-2013, 10:50 PM

Thank you very much!

left123 · 01-06-2013, 07:14 PM

GoRomeo, I just finished this job yesterday for the first time and the only scary part is jacking up the car. It's actually quite easy to do this given you have the right tools and have turned a wrench before. I recommend having a friend around to assist with putting the car on jack stands though.

Great write up OP.

hoopvillian · 01-16-2013, 01:57 AM

Took longer to jack up the car and put on jackstands than the actual change did. Thanks for the DIY guide. Such a simple procedure. I got about 1.5 quarts out/in.

Shermanator2411 · 01-24-2013, 12:50 PM

Thanks OP! Its very nice just having a tools list to help, had to go to 2 different shops to find a 14mm hex socket haha... Thanks again!

mi_bimmer · 02-02-2013, 04:44 PM

Tried doing this today but couldn't get the drain plug off, seems like it is stuck. How did you guys take it off?

MikeR1994 · 02-12-2013, 09:11 AM

My car is on stands waiting for a motor mount to come in so I may do this in the meantime.

mi_bimmer · 02-14-2013, 01:03 PM

Mike, you and I have the exact same car (06 325i) Let me know how it goes with getting that pesky differential oil plug off ...

tigermack · 02-14-2013, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mi_bimmer

Mike, you and I have the exact same car (06 325i) Let me know how it goes with getting that pesky differential oil plug off ...

What size bar/ratchet are you using? Might help if you use a breaker bar...

mi_bimmer · 02-14-2013, 03:06 PM

I have a 3/8" ratchet that is about a foot long, typical handtool size.
Might have to go out and get a breaker bar then ...

AlanAZ · 02-14-2013, 05:01 PM

I had to use a breaker bar on my '06, it was in way tighter than the torque spec, and it deformed the metal (aluminum) around the socket of the plug. I was glad I had a new one to replace it with.

Ph0zenstone · 02-14-2013, 09:27 PM

Just did this today and was relatively easy. Wish I had a better way to hold the bottle still while filling it. Almost tipped over several times!! Both old and new fluids smelled like sh*t

badgesnob · 03-31-2013, 09:04 AM

Thanks for the article i baes most of my work on it. I over tensioned the fill plug and now the outside ring of the plug snapped off and i need a new plug and crusher washer. Should i get a new plug or seal the outside with silicone?

tigermack · 03-31-2013, 12:07 PM

You can seal it with silicone until your next change with a new plug/seal ring. I don't think it'd be a problem.

ska///235i · 03-31-2013, 08:38 PM

get a new plug, any dealer should have them
these plugs dont have washers, they all come with a oring attached to them

ellipsis212 · 04-02-2013, 11:56 AM

Also did this one over the weekend and tried using an oil suction gun rather than a transfer pump, and that made it tough to get all of the fluid out because the drain hole is angled up and you need to get about 3 or 4" below that level. Sure, I could've run out to the store and bought more hose or an elbow but I made due:

Took an old metal tent stake and bent it like a "C" and inserted that into the tubing. The stake wasn't going to fall out but I cable tied one bend for insurance. I was able to suck out all the nasty, old gear oil in 3 pumps using that setup.

Putting it back in was also a little tricky since the suction gun doesn't evacuate all the fluid in the tubing if it's facing up at an angle and fighting gravity. I would recommend a transfer pump for this job unless you just like making things difficult.

Last note, I agree with a previous poster that the plug was a lot harder to get off than the 60 Nm I applied to torque it back on. Maybe it was just from 6 years of not being opened?

wacked · 04-03-2013, 10:45 AM

Great DIY, but yes, dangerous setup no doubt. Get you some $25-35 jack stands and use the hydraulic jack if you want in the middle of the car just as an added support. I usually just snug it up after the car is on all 4 jack stands.

Fitz335 · 05-25-2013, 03:20 PM

Did mine today, the old stuff at 76k looked fine, probably wasn't necessary. Have Redline 75w90 in there now, wouldn't expect to do this again for at least 100k miles if that.

wren57 · 06-10-2013, 07:10 PM

Well, I finally got around to doing this at 92k... and my 14mm hex socket just spins around, the bolt is way bigger than that. WTF. Nothing worse than prepping for a job and realizing you wasted 30 minutes because you have the wrong (albeit suggested) part...

LittleBlue · 06-10-2013, 09:15 PM

I recently developed a howling sound emitting which I am sure it's the differential . I looked under and I see dried oil dirt residue on the bottom part if the cover and to the front (not back as you would think it would ). Could it be leaking ? I am getting me a socket to check fluid as it could be low and this is why the sound? Any ideas ? Thoughts?

12-31-2012, 02:20 PM	#46
ddanj yoroshku 7 Rep 107 Posts Drives: Sinister DNA Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i [0.00]	Is this the right part # for the plug ? 33117525064 I'm guessing it's the same for all e90s ( I have a 2006 330i) Thanks!
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12-31-2012, 02:28 PM	#47
GoRomeo Brigadier General 956 Rep 3,837 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	Nice write up and thanks for sharing but its a bit scary in my opinion. I wonder how much a Indy shop or at the dealer charges for this kind of job.
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01-02-2013, 10:50 PM	#48
Aund3e Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Taipei iTrader: (0)	Thank you very much!
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01-06-2013, 07:14 PM	#49
left123 Second Lieutenant 56 Rep 281 Posts Drives: TiAg 330i 6MT ZSP Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: 757 iTrader: (3)	GoRomeo, I just finished this job yesterday for the first time and the only scary part is jacking up the car. It's actually quite easy to do this given you have the right tools and have turned a wrench before. I recommend having a friend around to assist with putting the car on jack stands though. Great write up OP. __________________ '06 e90 330i SOLD\|\| TiAg \|\| SQ 8.5'' 162's \|\| 6MT \|\|BMW PS V2 \|\| redline oils \|\| BMWCCA Member #474774 DIY Completed:Engine Coolant Flush+Battery Replacement (no registration!)+Rear Diff Fl +Manual Trans Fl+Engine Oil Change+Front Control Arm/Tension Strut upgrade (my DIY Guide)+Power Steering Flush+Ignition Coil+OFHG+Spark Plugs
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01-16-2013, 01:57 AM	#50
hoopvillian Private First Class 21 Rep 178 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Dago iTrader: (0)	Took longer to jack up the car and put on jackstands than the actual change did. Thanks for the DIY guide. Such a simple procedure. I got about 1.5 quarts out/in.
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01-24-2013, 12:50 PM	#51
Shermanator2411 Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 254 Posts Drives: 2006 330i 6sp Sport pkg Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Federal Way, WA iTrader: (1)	Thanks OP! Its very nice just having a tools list to help, had to go to 2 different shops to find a 14mm hex socket haha... Thanks again! __________________ 2006 330i//Alpine White//Terra//6 Speed//Sport Package//Premium Package//19'' LM Reps//Blacklines//BMS PowerBox
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02-02-2013, 04:44 PM	#52
mi_bimmer Private 2 Rep 56 Posts Drives: 2006 325i E90 N52 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: SE Michigan iTrader: (0)	Tried doing this today but couldn't get the drain plug off, seems like it is stuck. How did you guys take it off?
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02-12-2013, 09:11 AM	#53
MikeR1994 Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 277 Posts Drives: 06 e90 325i, 05 325Ci (RIP) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	My car is on stands waiting for a motor mount to come in so I may do this in the meantime.
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02-14-2013, 01:03 PM	#54
mi_bimmer Private 2 Rep 56 Posts Drives: 2006 325i E90 N52 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: SE Michigan iTrader: (0)	Mike, you and I have the exact same car (06 325i) Let me know how it goes with getting that pesky differential oil plug off ...
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02-14-2013, 03:06 PM	#56
mi_bimmer Private 2 Rep 56 Posts Drives: 2006 325i E90 N52 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: SE Michigan iTrader: (0)	I have a 3/8" ratchet that is about a foot long, typical handtool size. Might have to go out and get a breaker bar then ...
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02-14-2013, 05:01 PM	#57
AlanAZ Captain 40 Rep 818 Posts Drives: E90 325i sport manual Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (4)	I had to use a breaker bar on my '06, it was in way tighter than the torque spec, and it deformed the metal (aluminum) around the socket of the plug. I was glad I had a new one to replace it with. Last edited by AlanAZ; 02-15-2013 at 05:53 PM..
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02-14-2013, 09:27 PM	#58
Ph0zenstone Major General 325 Rep 5,370 Posts Drives: 2018 530e X-Drive Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NY iTrader: (74)	Just did this today and was relatively easy. Wish I had a better way to hold the bottle still while filling it. Almost tipped over several times!! Both old and new fluids smelled like sh*t
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03-31-2013, 09:04 AM	#59
badgesnob Private 12 Rep 51 Posts Drives: F25 X3 xDrive 20i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW X3 [0.00]	fill plug Thanks for the article i baes most of my work on it. I over tensioned the fill plug and now the outside ring of the plug snapped off and i need a new plug and crusher washer. Should i get a new plug or seal the outside with silicone?
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03-31-2013, 12:07 PM	#60
tigermack OPN DIFF 474 Rep 1,908 Posts Drives: 10' E90 M3 6MT LB Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pacific Ocean iTrader: (12) Garage List 2010 M3 [0.00] 1995 BMW e36 325i [7.91] 2006 BMW e90 330i [8.34]	You can seal it with silicone until your next change with a new plug/seal ring. I don't think it'd be a problem. __________________ '10 LB E90 slicktop/speed cloth/6MT ex. '06 330i 6MT & '10 n54 6MT Msport Autocross vids https://www.youtube.com/user/tigermack https://www.instagram.com/tigermack
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03-31-2013, 08:38 PM	#61
ska///235i ***** noob 1368 Rep 10,479 Posts Drives: 325xi>M235i>428GCx Mspor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (34) Garage List 2006 325xi [0.00]	get a new plug, any dealer should have them these plugs dont have washers, they all come with a oring attached to them __________________ 2006 325xi (Sold) 2014 M235I (Current) 2015 428xi Gran Coupe (STB)
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04-02-2013, 11:56 AM	#62
ellipsis212 Colonel 1618 Rep 2,161 Posts Drives: 2017 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: RVA iTrader: (5) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 [0.00]	Also did this one over the weekend and tried using an oil suction gun rather than a transfer pump, and that made it tough to get all of the fluid out because the drain hole is angled up and you need to get about 3 or 4" below that level. Sure, I could've run out to the store and bought more hose or an elbow but I made due: Took an old metal tent stake and bent it like a "C" and inserted that into the tubing. The stake wasn't going to fall out but I cable tied one bend for insurance. I was able to suck out all the nasty, old gear oil in 3 pumps using that setup. Putting it back in was also a little tricky since the suction gun doesn't evacuate all the fluid in the tubing if it's facing up at an angle and fighting gravity. I would recommend a transfer pump for this job unless you just like making things difficult. Last note, I agree with a previous poster that the plug was a lot harder to get off than the 60 Nm I applied to torque it back on. Maybe it was just from 6 years of not being opened?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-03-2013, 10:45 AM	#63
wacked Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2011 335i M Sport Coupe Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NW Florida iTrader: (0)	Great DIY, but yes, dangerous setup no doubt. Get you some $25-35 jack stands and use the hydraulic jack if you want in the middle of the car just as an added support. I usually just snug it up after the car is on all 4 jack stands.
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05-25-2013, 03:20 PM	#64
Fitz335 Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 249 Posts Drives: 2018 M240i Estoril Blue Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	Did mine today, the old stuff at 76k looked fine, probably wasn't necessary. Have Redline 75w90 in there now, wouldn't expect to do this again for at least 100k miles if that.
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06-10-2013, 07:10 PM	#65
wren57 Roll Tide 591 Rep 2,346 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St Louis iTrader: (10)	Well, I finally got around to doing this at 92k... and my 14mm hex socket just spins around, the bolt is way bigger than that. WTF. Nothing worse than prepping for a job and realizing you wasted 30 minutes because you have the wrong (albeit suggested) part...
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06-10-2013, 09:15 PM	#66
LittleBlue Second Lieutenant 24 Rep 254 Posts Drives: 2022 G30 M Sport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: U.S.A iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW 530I M Sport [0.00] [10.00]	I recently developed a howling sound emitting which I am sure it's the differential . I looked under and I see dried oil dirt residue on the bottom part if the cover and to the front (not back as you would think it would ). Could it be leaking ? I am getting me a socket to check fluid as it could be low and this is why the sound? Any ideas ? Thoughts?
	Appreciate 0 Quote