Transmission fluid change @118kmiles change @own risk

[omodos]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Don't hear too many ZF users with the selector shaft seal leaking - more common on the GM transmissions.

The ZF has two well-known weak spots as it ages - the mechatronic (connector) seal and the internal "bridge" seal.



The mechatronic seal simply allows trans fluid to weep out. The bridge seal shrinks with heat/age and leaks fluid internally, causing a loss a of fluid pressure in the valve body (mechatronic). This can lead to a range of issues.

If you open this transmission up, it's worth replacing them all. And given the cost of the fluid (esp. OEM fluid!!), you'll likely want to maximise the result from the spend....

thanks Wpoll, I am edging towards biting the bullet and getting this done in next couple of months I'd say, picked up X5 , intercooler hose was replaced, tear was pretty bad no idea how it could have ripped that way(this was spewing oil over electrics making me think the power steering container/or cap had issues) but wasn't, mechanic is 99% sure the trans.fail.safe message issue was due to this BUT he did advise lets do the transmission fluid too before it hots up here temp wise out here, showed him your pics of the seals and he said yup very important, and went as far as saying i will open garage on Saturday and we start so no need for you to go rent a car....probably can be done in a day...did an oil and filter change (went with 5/40w as opposed to 5/30w and I do think it sounds more quiet, change thrust bushings too, and air filter....th

[X5chemist]

GM transmissions do leak at the shifter seal. I had mine replaced at a shop.

[omodos]

Well not there yet tad worried taking back to same garage, yes they did renew coolant/engine oil/air n oil filter and replaced the torn intercooler hose but they didnt put back 2 of the bolts on the accoustic cover...went to 3 different stores all said noooope, so am ordering now from dealer...and my oil level was over max when the car was warm-not good i drained out one litre and will recheck today...sooooo in 2 minds about the trans fluid being done via them if they cant even get engine oil change done ok.
PS make matters worse i took off the accoustic cover managed to dislodge one of the retaining clips and is was swallowed somewhere behind the alternator....all in all a good weekend

[X5only]

Originally Posted by omodos

Hello all, this follows on from my trans.failsafe.prog message that hasn't appeared in 200 miles yet after codes reset by 1st mechanic.

I have been told by 2 mechanics now seeing as the 'life-long' fluid has never been changed (yup fell for that one by BMW my fault) changing transmission oil/filter now at 118k miles is at my own risk...one actually said 30% chance will remedy issue other wasn't that specific.

This follows on from TCM check showing the temp of the trans oil hits 100c, over the span of 40mins. It didn't exceed this temp, but mechanic adamant its because ambient temps are about 20c now, once we hit the 30-40c summer time then and it MAY go over 100c then I will have issues

What frustrating is that the underbelly 'shield' concealing the transmission hasn't been removed to check if there is a leak, if there is a leak its a no brainer.

In case there is a leak then well the service kit is needed with filter and the mechatronic seal etc correct?

If there is no leak and the fluid has deteriorated, is it less risky at my mileage just to replace as much of the existing transmission fluid with fresh, rather than doing above?

I am basically rather stuck now...damned if i do damned if i don't , if I had any of the diag tools mechanics used to monitor trans temp then i would be tempted to wait and monitor and see, but am a total newbee to any tool, if anyone has any link to software that can be used on a laptop and what type of connector is needed be much appreciated.

In the meantime as mentioned there was a turbo hose cracked that was remedied

We are doing a full coolant flush and oil change can't do any harm (does the transmission oil actually get cooled by general coolant system?)

And to top all this off for the life of me try and try again to create trans.prog issue I could not, the same steep hill I drove down in the past which 'created' issue I hit 4 times over and over and the message just didn't appear ...

I serviced the transmission of my 2005 4.4 last year May at around 170k miles with absolutely no issues. https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...n-success.html

It continues to shift like new. I changed all fluid (drain/refill/drive x4).

[omodos]

@x5only, thanks

[X5only]

Originally Posted by omodos

@x5only, thanks

Note that I changed much more than just the fluid and filter- the solenoids, seals, mechatronic separator plate, trans damper pistons were changed, and a thorough cleaning was done. The 4 drain/refill/drive cycles I did really cleaned up the transmission. When I finally opened it up it was really clean. I think just changing the fluid and filter for the first time on a high mileage trans may not be a good idea.

[omodos]

Originally Posted by X5only

Note that I changed much more than just the fluid and filter- the solenoids, seals, mechatronic separator plate, trans damper pistons were changed, and a thorough cleaning was done. The 4 drain/refill/drive cycles I did really cleaned up the transmission. When I finally opened it up it was really clean. I think just changing the fluid and filter for the first time on a high mileage trans may not be a good idea.

Okays verdict is out then on whether or not just a fluid/filter change and /mechatronic/bridge seal change etc is high risk or not as I am getting differing opinions...thanks for input

[EODguy]

Originally Posted by omodos

Okays verdict is out then on whether or not just a fluid/filter change and /mechatronic/bridge seal change etc is high risk or not as I am getting differing opinions...thanks for input

No. You need to do the mechatronic and the bridge seals at the same time because....

1. Transmission is open anyway.

2. Seals wear also and fluid/filter won't fix seal problems.

3. It's cheap in parts cost to add, plus you would be buying another pan gasket if you did fluid/filter change and had to open the transmission a second time if that didn't fix your issue so you could do the seals.

4. Double labor costs if done separately.

Sent from Embassy network using Tapatalk

[omodos]

Originally Posted by EODguy

No. You need to do the mechatronic and the bridge seals at the same time because....

1. Transmission is open anyway.

2. Seals wear also and fluid/filter won't fix seal problems.

3. It's cheap in parts cost to add, plus you would be buying another pan gasket if you did fluid/filter change and had to open the transmission a second time if that didn't fix your issue so you could do the seals.

4. Double labor costs if done separately.

Sent from Embassy network using Tapatalk

righti so need those seals and the pan/gasket too correct? once existing pan/and its gaskets off can only stick on a new one/

[haigha]

My 04 4.4i just crossed 48k miles and it need those seals and possibly solenoids 2+ years ago. We did everything, as a preventative measure.

Yes, you need the seals, the mechatronic sleeve, plus the kit that includes the fluid, main gasket, filter, magnet and sometimes all the bolts. My mechanic was able to reuse the bolts both times we opened the transmission.

The first time, in about 2019, we only did the kit plus the mechatronic sleeve. The latter was the source of a leak that time. The second time, no leak, but the transmission wasn't shifting correctly. We replaced the mechatronic sleeve again... inexpensive compared to risking it leaking again.