Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E53) Forum
Arnott
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 04-22-2010, 02:40 PM
flatlander's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Illinois
Posts: 287
flatlander is on a distinguished road
For everyone with Trans issues - tried cleaning the valve assembly?

I've seen many posts that talk about changing the transmission fluid, but I haven't seen anyone discuss how to clean out the passages of the trans valve assembly. Has anyone done this? The valve assembly seems pretty vital to controlling the behavior of the transmission. It has many small passageways that could get fouled up. I don't think a regular fluid change would flush out these passages and restrictors.

My friend recently has his Jaguar's ZF trans acting funny; staying stuck in gears, hard downshifts, "rear end bang"... behavior that had been reported on our X5 transmissions. He opened the valve body and found that the passages we being choked by the 'dirt' in the fluid. A regular trans flush/fill would not have cleared this out.

Keep in mind, this is not the exact same transmission. However, the photos show a representation of what's inside our trans.
Pics attached:
Attached Images
    
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 04-22-2010, 07:45 PM
amacman's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: glasgow,scotland
Posts: 1,462
amacman is on a distinguished road
A transmission specialist giving a proper service would remove and clean the valve block using a dedicated and clean parts washer and dry off with compressed air , blowing air through all the channels and thoroughly inspect the block to ensure it is clean .
this should be done in a clean environment ensuring no dust or hair enters the block .
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-22-2010, 07:50 PM
CharlieHustleX5's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: So Cal
Posts: 642
CharlieHustleX5 is on a distinguished road
Valve bodies are known to be the cause of many BMW transmissions faults, but dealerships cant diagnose that kind of stuff. If one were to DIY a valve body removal and cleaning, valve body gaskets and seals are not available through the dealer and almost exclusively found at transmission shops. Without the manual specific to the transmission being worked on, many key things could be left out when assembling or disassembling a valve body. Also, what would be used to clean out the passageways? Brake cleaner? Sometimes its not the greatest idea to use such a cleaner.

Its just a littlle bit more involved to service a valve body. I guess if some were interested, I could post a DIY on a valve body removal for the 5L40E transmission.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-22-2010, 07:51 PM
CharlieHustleX5's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: So Cal
Posts: 642
CharlieHustleX5 is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by amacman View Post
A transmission specialist giving a proper service would remove and clean the valve block using a dedicated and clean parts washer and dry off with compressed air , blowing air through all the channels and thoroughly inspect the block to ensure it is clean .
this should be done in a clean environment ensuring no dust or hair enters the block .
Bingo....
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-22-2010, 08:10 PM
amacman's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: glasgow,scotland
Posts: 1,462
amacman is on a distinguished road
yeah charlie , give us some pics please .

I don`t remember the name of the fluid used to clean the valve block but I think it`s the standard stuff used in parts cleaners , a steel basin and spashback with a flexible pipe sitting on top of a 30 gallon drum of cleaning fluid .
best to let a specialist do a transmission service because they would know the condition of the transmission during inspection and could advise there and then if a rebuild is needed .
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 04-22-2010, 10:45 PM
CharlieHustleX5's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: So Cal
Posts: 642
CharlieHustleX5 is on a distinguished road
Bringing it to someone familiar with transmissions is a good idea.

I'm sure some could sucessfully clean a valve body and reassemble it, but certain things to inspect might be overlooked. Its not only the fluid paths that need to be cleaned, but check balls should be inspected, valves and springs should be checked, solenoids should be tested, accumulators should be checked and rings replaced, and other sensors/plugs checked.

A refurbished valve body job should run anyone upwards of around $400 including parts and labor, assuming you pulled it from the transmission yourself and will do the reinstall and refill of fluid.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 04-23-2010, 03:10 AM
cimbro's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: ITALY
Posts: 159
cimbro is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by CharlieHustleX5 View Post
Bringing it to someone familiar with transmissions is a good idea.

I'm sure some could sucessfully clean a valve body and reassemble it, but certain things to inspect might be overlooked. Its not only the fluid paths that need to be cleaned, but check balls should be inspected, valves and springs should be checked, solenoids should be tested, accumulators should be checked and rings replaced, and other sensors/plugs checked.

A refurbished valve body job should run anyone upwards of around $400 including parts and labor, assuming you pulled it from the transmission yourself and will do the reinstall and refill of fluid.
Waiting for your photos
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 04-23-2010, 03:32 AM
X5 Meister's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Nordschleife
Posts: 5,486
X5 Meister is on a distinguished road
Too bad you don't have pictures of that Jag's before and after.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 04-23-2010, 09:43 AM
flatlander's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Illinois
Posts: 287
flatlander is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by CharlieHustleX5 View Post
Valve bodies are known to be the cause of many BMW transmissions faults, but dealerships cant diagnose that kind of stuff. If one were to DIY a valve body removal and cleaning, valve body gaskets and seals are not available through the dealer and almost exclusively found at transmission shops. Without the manual specific to the transmission being worked on, many key things could be left out when assembling or disassembling a valve body. Also, what would be used to clean out the passageways? Brake cleaner? Sometimes its not the greatest idea to use such a cleaner.

Its just a littlle bit more involved to service a valve body. I guess if some were interested, I could post a DIY on a valve body removal for the 5L40E transmission.
Is trans valve body cleaning part of a standard transmission service, or would one have to request this specific work?

The were many little balls and springs in the valve body and if you don't take these tings apart in the right way I can see how you would lose track of them easily. Sliding the middle plate out rather than lifting it straight off helped to keep all the things in place.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 04-23-2010, 11:43 AM
JCL's Avatar
JCL JCL is offline
Premier Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 11,853
JCL will become famous soon enoughJCL will become famous soon enough
Quote:
Originally Posted by CharlieHustleX5 View Post
Bringing it to someone familiar with transmissions is a good idea.

I'm sure some could sucessfully clean a valve body and reassemble it, but certain things to inspect might be overlooked. Its not only the fluid paths that need to be cleaned, but check balls should be inspected, valves and springs should be checked, solenoids should be tested, accumulators should be checked and rings replaced, and other sensors/plugs checked.
This isn't really a DIY project. While some could do it, there would probably be more that made the situation worse.

I would expect that when cleaning out the valve body, an overhaul kit is utilized that includes all gaskets, check valves, spool valves, etc. A typical ZF kit is shown below.
Attached Images
 
__________________
2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver

2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue
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 01:36 PM.
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.