Transmission fluid again...

[sfcl]

As you have seen in my previous post: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...good-news.html, I obvioulsy have to change the fluid in my GM transmission (engine is a 3.0I). I did some searches in the forum but I'd like to get more advices about what kind of fluid to use, giving that the car has 119000 miles and the fluid had never been changed.
- 1rst, can I use any fluid brand without damaging the tranny? I plan to replace the fluid in several times (say 3 times every 50 km) to get a chance to replace most of the old fluid, but there will be a point where there will be some mixes between the old and the new fluid.
- 2nd, I can't find OEM fluid where I'm living in the Caribbean, so I have to use some Dexron fluid. What kind of Dextron can I use, Dexron II, Dexron III?
Any advice is welcome!
Thanks in advance.

[bazzyboy]

dexron 3 m8
also change the trans filter & the magnets as well

[sfcl]

Originally Posted by bazzyboy

dexron 3 m8
also change the trans filter & the magnets as well

Thanks! So I guess that Dexron VI is not recommanded?

[Zulu95]

Dex VI would be best. It is a synthetic fluid as is OEM. I did my 3.0L tranny with AMSOIL Full synthetic fluid some years ago.

[wallyx5]

I used Royal Purple's MAX ATF. I changed is 80,000 miles ago, so I am due to change it again.

Even Walmart carries it.

[sfcl]

Originally Posted by wallyx5

Even Walmart carries it.

Unfortunately, even the best auto shop around here seems to not have better than Dexron II.............

[wallyx5]

Buy on line that shouldn't be too hard.

[ernaldamerican]

Zulu95 / Wallyx5, by changing your transmission fluid did you drop the pan and than fill or pump tranny fluid back in at the torx head bolt? I'm curious how much came out and were you able to get the same amount back in. From my exp. (with ford and GM) you fill in the dipstick as it is at the highest point of the transmission system. I would think that it would be tough to get the same amount of fluid back in. Did you have a hand pump / electric pump.

[wallyx5]

Originally Posted by ernaldamerican

Zulu95 / Wallyx5, by changing your transmission fluid did you drop the pan and than fill or pump tranny fluid back in at the torx head bolt? I'm curious how much came out and were you able to get the same amount back in. From my exp. (with ford and GM) you fill in the dipstick as it is at the highest point of the transmission system. I would think that it would be tough to get the same amount of fluid back in. Did you have a hand pump / electric pump.

I didn't drop the pan, but just drained and refilled thru the hex bolt. I didn't have a new filter at the time. So it was more or less just refreshing the fluid. But now I bought a new filter and gasket for the pan. So I just waiting for some better weather. Maybe in the spring.

By the way I used a fluid hand pump to pump it back in. Go to Home depot and get one of those hand fluid pumps for a one gallon container and Attched a tube to it.

[Weasel]

**important note**

BMW's don't have and have never been equipped with a transmission dipstick. So don't go pouring ATF into your oil dipstick tube on accident just because it is red and near the firewall.

Ok, did my people preventative maintenance.