Anyone done a ATF fluid swap - Page 2

boskone · #11 11-19-2005, 12:30 PM

Hi Guys,

A couple of points. (I have a 2000 4.4, so your mileage may differ). My car has 46k on it, I just bought it. I had my independant change the diff and xfer case fluids with new synthetic. The xfer case was only about 1/2 full even though there were no leaks present. My guy said that he's done some that literally had 5 oz of fluid (out of 32) left in them. So my recommendation is to get the transfer case fluid changed/checked. It's pretty cheap, and you could DIY if you wanted to save money.

Regarding the tranny, my independant has talked to an engineer at ZF and he said just doing a fluid+filter at 60-70k would change enough of the fluid (I think 5.5 of the 9 quarts) to revitalize the rest of the fluid.

I'm probably going to go ahead and change my tranny fluid at my next opportunity rather than waiting for 60k. The rebuilt tranny from BMW is $4500, plus a $1200 torque converter, plus at least 8 hours of shop time, so I don't mind spending a few hundred dollars every 30-40k to keep it in pristine shape.

Just my two cents. I'm new to the X5, but been around BMW's for awhile.

-Derek

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mtd · #12 11-19-2005, 01:29 PM

How much is your independent shop charging you for the service?

JCL · #13 11-19-2005, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chefwong

Fluids changes for me is just for peace of mind :-)

Am I the only X5'er on this forum that has done UOA's not only on the oil but also on the coolant.

Changing the ATF and differentials is a little money out of pocket, but like Hayaku stated, I'd rather have fresh fluid than fluid with minor particulates.

No argument at all here on the peace of mind issue, just the comment that changing a portion of the oil isn't really giving you fresh fluid, it is just giving you fresher fluid. If you are going to do it, why not get the oil out of the torque converter as well, and change all (or practically all) of it? Alternatively, do the straight drain procedure three times and get out approximately half the old oil the first time, a quarter the second time, and an eighth the third time. That gives you an estimated 83% fluid replacement, by simple math. Yes, it costs more for fluid, which is why the flushing procedure is more common.

By UOA I presume you mean used oil analysis. Haven't done it on my current fleet, but the company I work for is a supplier (we own a lab). If you are going to do any analysis, recommend you trend it over time as that is the best indicator. Often people do one or two samples and try and make decisions on that small sample size. Also, are you doing large particle analysis? I would be interested in any trended sample results from the X5, particularly for TBN for the engine oil.

chefwong · #14 11-20-2005, 05:03 PM

JLC -

For ya review. Note, the 1st UOA on redline is sampling skewed but the 2nd sample is fine. To my understanding however, redlines TBN rating is different in most oils, in that the inital TBN drops dramatically ......

I'm not sure what's up with my recent UOA and plan to do another sample 3K miles from now. I switched oils so I didn't run a UOA off the 1st run of the oil. This is my 2nd run with this oil. I expected a much higher TBN value. Both the oil and air filter was changed in Spring '05 with this OCI. Just for the hell of it, after seeing the recent UOA, I changed the air filer on the X also. Car is a daily driver and sees a fair mix of highway 70%/30% city driving. However, typical rush hours on NYC roads on the highway tends to be more stop/go at times.

vinuneuro · #15 11-20-2005, 05:15 PM

I'm lost. Isn't this an analysis for your engine oil?

chefwong · #16 11-20-2005, 05:17 PM

YES it is for the engine oil. JCL was interested in seeing some UOA's so I posted mine.

vinuneuro · #17 11-20-2005, 05:18 PM

btw, another 1-2k and the fluid is going to be changed out of the diff, transfer case and tranny + filter change in ours. I am planning to send it in Blackstone.

I would like to note that it is always recommended that one replace the filter if a power flusher is used as it damages it.

chefwong · #18 11-20-2005, 05:28 PM

Just curious. What are you planning to use . ATF from JIE. On the others - Redline, RP, Amsoil , ?

JCL · #19 11-20-2005, 08:29 PM

Chefwong:

Thanks for the info. A few questions:

How are you sampling? Did you install the tap kit, or are you using a pump? If not, and you are going to continue on sampling, Butler will have a kit that may be worth installing on the X5.

Why no viscosity sampling? Blackstone charge extra I believe, but the SOS sampling should include it (Butler practices may be different than what I am used to)

Why did you stop using Blackstone?

You switched back to Castrol from Redline. Any reason? If you are going to carry on with the Castrol, do you have a sample of new Castrol to use as a baseline? Butler may have it in their lab computer, if not.

I am not sure what is going on with the TBN, it seems very low but Redline's website says that their oil is different (?). I agree with their website that TBN has more applicability with a diesel engine (where my experience comes from) but I still think of it as an indicator of the health of the additive package. Maybe that isn't valid with modern synthetics for gasoline engines.

Thanks again for the report.

JCL · #20 11-20-2005, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

btw, another 1-2k and the fluid is going to be changed out of the diff, transfer case and tranny + filter change in ours. I am planning to send it in Blackstone.

The old oil, the new oil, or both? And are you doing large particle detection and particle count on those samples?

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