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  #1  
Old 07-21-2018, 02:31 PM
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Transmission Oil Change

After reading through many forum posts on changing the Transmission Fluid I have decided that my car should be fine when I change the transmission fluid. Besides, some new fluid is better than old fluid right? My car is an '04 4.4i with 122,000 miles and the transmission has never been changed. I want to drop the pan and replace the transmission filter and fluid. Approximately how many Liters of fluid do I need? This popular thread also from Xoutpost (https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...hange-diy.html) stated that 4L of oil is needed to for a drain and fill....but I'm assuming more fluid is required if we drop the pan. So in that case would I need 9 full liters of fluid? Also since I plan to drop the transmission pan would it be best to change the mechatronic sleeve as well since I'm down there?

Sidenote: My car also occasionally experiences the hard bang/downshifting when not coming to a full stop....sorta like someone hitting the car from behind. So I am hoping changing the fluid can help but I'm reading solenoids and the mechatronic sleeve or software update helps more.

Can you guys provide me with any advice so I can perform this fluid flush. Thanks!
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  #2  
Old 07-21-2018, 04:14 PM
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I would certainly change the mechatronic sleeve while you have transmission open. Changing it won't help with the operation of the transmission in any way but it will fix or avoid a fluid leak, which is bad for your transmission.

I also doubt that just a fluid change will fix your hard 2-1 shift, going by what others have said on here and on other forums for cars that use the ZF 6HP26. I has helped in some cases but not in most.

Some folk have have good results with the fluid change along with a new bridge seal and new jumps seals. One again, while you are in there, why not replace them...?

Others have flashed (or re-flashed) the firmware in the transmission control unit with good results.

I think ultimately it's either new solenoids or a new (or refurbished) mechatronic unit that is the cure.

But it really depends on what exactly is wrong in your transmission and so while there are many seemingly common issues, the causes can vary and so must the action taken to remedy the problem.

Changing the fluid and seals is the first step to finding out I suppose!
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Old 07-21-2018, 04:22 PM
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I'm in the "Don't touch the fluid" camp if you've got more than 100,000 miles on the transmission.

First thing I'd do is clean the harness connector going to the transmission. Dirt and moisture can get in there and cause corrosion on the pins.

Second, I'd have the software flashed in the event it hasn't been upgraded since new.

If this doesn't take care of it, then you might be looking at solenoids. But if you get into the valve body, I would save the current fluid when you drain the transmission. On reassembly, replace the filter, strain the existing fluid and return it into the transmission. Just top off if necessary with new fluid.

2002 X5 3.0 345,400 miles - still running original fluid
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Old 07-21-2018, 04:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by srmmmm View Post
I'm in the "Don't touch the fluid" camp if you've got more than 100,000 miles on the transmission.

...

2002 X5 3.0 345,400 miles - still running original fluid
Pretty hard to ignore that statistic!!

But it has to be noted that this is on a GM transmission and not a ZF. Or is your 3.0 fitted with a ZF 5HP24, srmmmm?

There's more than a few differences between the GM and ZF units, fluid type included.
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Old 07-21-2018, 05:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wpoll View Post
Pretty hard to ignore that statistic!!

But it has to be noted that this is on a GM transmission and not a ZF. Or is your 3.0 fitted with a ZF 5HP24, srmmmm?

There's more than a few differences between the GM and ZF units, fluid type included.

I have the GM transmission on mine.
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Old 07-21-2018, 05:57 PM
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I had the dreaded 2-1 downshift knock and after a fluid change it did get better but only temporarily. Ultimately you're facing a transmission refurb, sorry to say. The mechatronics is fine. The knock is caused by worn bushings creating excessive play in the transmission shaft. I ran with my knocking problems for around 50,000 kms before finally getting it refurbed. Mine is a 2006 X5 E53 3.0D 6HP26. Issues started at 110,000 kms.


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Old 07-21-2018, 06:04 PM
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I did the fluid replacement with ZF Transmission fluid and the BMW filter by Bavauto.com. Make sure to follow the recommendations of topping off the fluid with the vehicle level and running, as described in other posts. My 2002 with the same 4.4 shifted good before and after. I just wanted a good look in there after 100k miles. The old fluid looked a lot like the new stuff so I decide on keeping the X5. Two years later and all is well. Good luck!
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Old 07-21-2018, 09:17 PM
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I can’t argue with success, I would never add the same filthy tranny fluid
back into the transmission.
If it’s ok to never change your engine oil, then it is prolly ok to
never change the transmission fluid...
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Old 07-22-2018, 12:24 AM
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No combustion byproducts get into the tranny fluid so they aren't comparable. I've seen gm recommend 60k miles of towing. I'm nearing 170,000 and plan to at least check level and take a sample my tranny shifts perfectly and I push it but only have the six.

Wife's has given me some weird shifts but I think because I reset the adaptations so it could learn her behavior
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Old 07-22-2018, 02:13 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewwynn View Post
... Wife's has given me some weird shifts but I think because I reset the adaptations so it could learn her behavior
The stored transmission adaptations are for adapting the transmission for wear items and component aging, not driver behaviour.

Driver behaviour is also "adapted" but not stored - it is cleared every time you turn off the ignition.

Clearing any stored adaptations WILL make the transmission operate differently, which you may interpret as "better", but it should eventually return back to the pre-clearance adapted state.

DAMHIK...
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