OK I did transmission fluid flush on my 02 4.4i

[SlickGT1]

Yea when i did my first fluid and filter change, i started experiencing weird shifts and a reverse issue. Turned out my shift solenoids got some shit disslodged into them. When I swapped them out, all issues went away.

[Whitecat]

Originally Posted by Whitecat

Hello all,

Flush oil transmission done today by transmission specialist.
My X is at 75k miles and i've decided following shop reco, to let them perform the changed.

Special equipement is required to complete full flush including torque convertor (car was running during the entire procedure)

Oil transmission was really dark and no question ask that this oil needed fresh blood. Shop specialist used 16 litters of wynn's oil syntec OEM recommended or approved by BMW http://www.wynnsusa.com/pdf/12711_SynMultiATFSpecs.pdf ...adding also the wynn's cleaner detergent.

As for the transfer case and differential oil changed claimed as life time by BMW ...well ...the shop transmission specialist did confirmed that oil was same as new and there was no reason to change.

As of now, transmission shifting is really smooth ...but it is difficult to feel the difference....i'll keep you posted

Cheers !

I'm at 500 miles after changing ...16 liters !!! of wynn's oil ...no problem at all so far

[bcredliner]

There are many posts stating that if you change the transmission fluid there is the risk that the detergent in the new fluid can dislodge particles that can cause damage. In addition, if I recall correctly, I read only one post in this tread that said the fluid looked and smelled new when they changed it.

There are also many posts stating the transmission is problematic. If that is the case, something needs to be changed. Since there are many current transmissions out there with a preventative maintenance schedule for change of fluid and filter that is a easy change we can make.

I think a logical conclusion from this thread is that the fluid and filter should be changed at a frequency that prevents contaminant buildup. Also,the fluid should be changed before the fluid has lost much of it's original color and smell. If that was ones procedure there wouldn't be contaminants lying in wait to potentially destroy the transmission when the fluid is changed.

Another is if you have not changed the fluid for 100,000 or your opinion is no matter the frequency there will always be contaminants there are at least two options. One is to don't change anything.

Another is to drop the pan, save the fluid and just change the filter. The filter is there to remove contaminates. If over time there are particles lying in wait, the filter should be changed before that happens.

Having said all that, The troubleshooting the BMW transmission in the Bentley BMW service manual is the following: "Minor automatic transmission problems may be corrected by changing the automatic fluid (ATF) and the filter. Begin by checking ATF level and condition. Check to see if the fluid is dirty or has a burned odor indicating overheated fluid. The burned odor may be the results of burned discs in the clutch pack. The friction material from the burned discs may clog valve body passages."

[Hoser]

Some more questions for those that know-there must be a vent from the trans as those who profess to know say the fluid expands when heated-if that is the case there should be a vent to relieve the pressure-yes? Similarly- if the fluid were suddenly cooled-as in fjording a cold 20" stream-the fluid would contract and there would be a vacuum in the tranny-so again a vent would be of benefit as long as it was above the fjording depth.
Second question-there was a mass change of fluid in Allison transmissions in motorhome RV and other vehicles using the Allison. When GM dropped the certification of Dexron 111 - Allison developed a synthetic fluid as replacement. Eventually there was a fluid change proceedure to change out the majority of the fluid- by exchange. The return line from the trans cooler would be directed through an attached clear hose to a bucket, an assistant would be adding more new fluid while the old was being drained- a second assistant was in the vehicle starting the vehicle and running it through forward/reverse/park to move the new fluid through as many passages as possible. With the clear tubing it was reasonably easy to see when the older darker fluid was draining and eventually the cleaner new fluid coming out- that was the indicator that the exchange was done. The final level was adjusted and all was good.
Last question-does anyone have a clever way of measuring the trans fluid level in our X5 so that when we service our tranny we can be sure we have the correct level- rather than chancing repeating a too high or low level from just relying on what was found in the trans??

[Rockit]

I'm about to have my trans fluid changed and was reading this post. I think it's import to use the right fluid as to not harm the clutch plates over a long term.

I believe each of us with different years and different engines have different transmissions while all basically the same they are very different. I know the different colors on the trans means special fluid for each. Like I said above it's more about the materials in the trans than dirt particles.

As far as people changing there own fluids and having problems afterwards where there has been none. I believe the people having problems.. the fluid is to low and that's why they jerk in gear. There is a whole procedure to fill with my 4.4i. You fill the side of the trans like the differencail until the fluid runs out. You then put the plug in and put the car in gear on the lift and run it through the gears. You take the drain plug out again and fill until it runs out.

Now OEM filters.....I know they ARE A MUST...I've changed many 7 series trans and the use of and aftermarket filter of any kind causes them to collapse during shifts causing slippage....ONLY USE OEM Filters.

[four.8is]

id also ask the shop youre going to what kind of fluid theyre using
called a reputable shop in my area and got quoted 300$ less than the dealer only to find out they were going to use Wolf's head fluid which costs about 3$/qt..they also offered a 90 day warranty
I asked if they could use my fluid and filter which is ZF lifetime 6 fluid and superior in every way to the wolfs head and they said yeah but no warranty..im like what you gotta be kidding me!
So they drop whatever oil that "works" in every tranny in this world but with more expensive oil that is the correct one for my type of tranny they wont cover in case of damage..i decided to take my business elsewhere,...

[m5james]

* $300 and $3.

I've heard of shops that'll do a flush in reverse (loosens the sediment apparently) but you've gotta have them drain their system and then bring enough to refill it. Valvoline MaxLife I believe is compatible...I haven't done a drain & fill for like 5yrs.

[BigBlack48is]

Originally Posted by four.8is

id also ask the shop youre going to what kind of fluid theyre using
called a reputable shop in my area and got quoted 300$ less than the dealer only to find out they were going to use Wolf's head fluid which costs about 3$/qt..they also offered a 90 day warranty
I asked if they could use my fluid and filter which is ZF lifetime 6 fluid and superior in every way to the wolfs head and they said yeah but no warranty..im like what you gotta be kidding me!
So they drop whatever oil that "works" in every tranny in this world but with more expensive oil that is the correct one for my type of tranny they wont cover in case of damage..i decided to take my business elsewhere,...

I used redline D4 close to a year ago when I changed my filter / mechtronic sleeve. no ill effects and it shifts better then ever!

no reason to spend $100's of dollars on "special" fluid.

[bcredliner]

With all the threads there have been about the question to change or not to change the transmission fluid, largely stemming from transmission problems the OP is already having and as expensive as transmission repairs are---I have no idea what the logic would be to use anything other than the BMW or transmission mfg. recommended fluid if one decides they are on the 'side' that believes changing the fluid is a good thing.

[Cadesto]

I just had this convo with my Indy BMW certified mechanic. He was very adamant that if your trans is over 60k don't flush it don't mess with it, he's seen to many transmissions destroyed after a full flush and the debris that is in there is circulating and doing no harm, flushing and refilling it dislodges the debris winding up else where and basically cost you your tranny.. Was just browsing forum to confirm this.. I'll ask about maybe just a filter change soon.. Anyway that was his 2 cents