Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E53) Forum
Fluid Motor Union
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-31-2008, 02:53 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: CT
Posts: 95
H8Rain is on a distinguished road
05 Transmission filler plug location HELP

I am planning to do a transmission fluid and filter change on the X5 tomorrow. It has 30K miles. I have read a couple of the DIY's and I think I am all set. However, I'm not sure I have located the filler plug. All the write ups seem to reference pre 05 trucks.

Take a look at the attached picture which is my trans pan. I took this pic from the passenger side just behind the trans. I thought the filler plug was the plug just above the pan and to the right in the picture. However that "plug" has a black plug in the center which keeps you from being able to remove it. Is that not the filler plug?

Any help would be great. I'm not gonna drain it until I have located where to fill it
Attached Images
 
__________________
Hers: 2005 X5 4.4

Mine: 1997 540
(way to many mods to list)
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 05-31-2008, 03:14 PM
Tomaz's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Gatos, California
Posts: 1,178
Tomaz is on a distinguished road
I changed my transmission filter and fluid with the help of the following DIY: http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...smission+flush Picture number 2 shows the filler plug as it was located to the rear right side of the transmission housing. Good luck
__________________
2013 X5 3.5i M Sport
2004 M3 cabriolet SMG
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-31-2008, 06:00 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: CT
Posts: 95
H8Rain is on a distinguished road
Yeah, I read that post. Thats what led me to thinking I had located the correct filler plug. But then why is it closed up so I can't get a tool into it to remove it? Thats what makes me question it.
__________________
Hers: 2005 X5 4.4

Mine: 1997 540
(way to many mods to list)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-31-2008, 06:56 PM
amacman's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: glasgow,scotland
Posts: 1,462
amacman is on a distinguished road
i think you should consult a bmw dealer before you touch anything as they will tell you that fluid in auto transmissions does not ever require to be changed.even checking fluid level is a complicated task,and unless there is evidence of leaking,there would be no point checking level.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-31-2008, 09:04 PM
swissfrank's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Posts: 503
swissfrank is on a distinguished road
In your case that would not be the correct fill plug... On a '05 the fill plug is actually in the pan itself. That big circular depression in the pan that is right in front of the drain plug is your filler.This type of filler plug will make the job a little bit messier but what happens is the filler plug is recessed in the pan to hold back the fluid until it is at the correct level... Same filling procedures as pre '03 x5's apply though!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-31-2008, 09:32 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: CT
Posts: 95
H8Rain is on a distinguished road
So let me see if I understand correclty...... The small plug in the bottom of the pan, just in front of the huge hex plug, is the actuall drain plug. Then the huge hex plug that you referenced, in the recessed part, is actually where I fill it...... IN THE BOTTOM OF THE PAN?

How in the world do you fill it up when the hole is in the bottom of the pan?
__________________
Hers: 2005 X5 4.4

Mine: 1997 540
(way to many mods to list)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-31-2008, 11:04 PM
swissfrank's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Posts: 503
swissfrank is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by H8Rain
So let me see if I understand correclty...... The small plug in the bottom of the pan, just in front of the huge hex plug, is the actuall drain plug. Then the huge hex plug that you referenced, in the recessed part, is actually where I fill it...... IN THE BOTTOM OF THE PAN?

How in the world do you fill it up when the hole is in the bottom of the pan?
Yup you are 100% correct! At the shop they actually screw in a brass fitting into the pan to pump fluid up there, then remove it and let it drain to the proper level (as per normal fill procedure for this transmission). You could go to a automotive hardware store and either match a fitting to your plug or you could actually fit a tube up there around the fill hole, as there is a baffle there as well. I used a brass fitting... however, on another one of the transmissions I worked on, I managed to stick a hose that came off a transfer pump I used. It was a little bit messier than normal, but you should be able to manage!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-17-2008, 07:29 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: X5world
Posts: 175
ALX5 is on a distinguished road
I have 01 X5 3.0, 87000 miles, and I did the transmission oil changed yesterday. guess what, I found there is a big black plug like the one in your pictures at one end of the transmission, I believe it was at the front, and it is not the fill plug. I think 3.0 is different than 4.4. The drain plug is under the pan, front and more on the passenger side as in the DIY article but the fill plug is on the driver side, not on the pan, it is right above the pan, hexagon plug size 17. I and my brother were nervous for awhile because we did not see the fill plug. I will upload the pictures from my phone later to help you see more clearly.

ALX5
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-17-2008, 07:54 PM
swissfrank's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Posts: 503
swissfrank is on a distinguished road
I'm glad you found it! However 3.0 X5's Have a GM transmission and the 4.4 and up X5 have a ZF transmission thus the discrepancies.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ALX5
I have 01 X5 3.0, 87000 miles, and I did the transmission oil changed yesterday. guess what, I found there is a big black plug like the one in your pictures at one end of the transmission, I believe it was at the front, and it is not the fill plug. I think 3.0 is different than 4.4. The drain plug is under the pan, front and more on the passenger side as in the DIY article but the fill plug is on the driver side, not on the pan, it is right above the pan, hexagon plug size 17. I and my brother were nervous for awhile because we did not see the fill plug. I will upload the pictures from my phone later to help you see more clearly.

ALX5
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-17-2008, 09:00 PM
rogerkiu's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 1,062
rogerkiu is on a distinguished road
You x is only 30K miles, there is no point to change the fluid and the filter at all. Do not do it, otherwise you may encounter lots of problems thereafter. Totally not recommended!!!!!! You might need to do it when your x reaches 150K miles, and ask BMW professionals to do it instead of yourself.
__________________
--2004 E53 X5 4.8is - ECE version; right hand drive; Located in Hong Kong; ext. black sapphire metallic; int. leather black; adaptive dynamic bi-xenon headlights; 16:9 onboard monitor w/o navigation; 20" genuine BMW Y-spoke 214 wheels with Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport tires; Int. rear view mirror w/ compass.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:36 AM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.