Question on changing trans pan gasket

[m5james]

I don't believe in lifetime fluid, I change ritually in the 50k range, and I've yet to have a failed transmission in any of my BMW's, or any vehicles for that matter. It's not going to solve the worlds problems, but I know from my own experience that spending $80 every 5yrs hasn't put me into the same position that I've read of others experiencing, inevitably costing them upward of $5000.

I gave advice on the second paragraph as well, yet you only quote my first paragraph, but thanks for contributing anyways. Useless battle with two different opinions, and I already know you're opinion on the matter. Based on the OP's situation, this isn't a matter of choice, so it's not really up for debate as to if he should change the fluid since most of it's going to be coming out anyways when he drops the pan. Short of catching all the fluid and replacing it per ESSO's suggestions, I'm simply telling him what he can do on his own vs the dealership as to getting the fluid back in, so your or my opinion on the matter of fluid replacement is irrelevant. I simply provided advice and options, not a shoulda woulda coulda debate.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by m5james

I don't believe in lifetime fluid, I change ritually in the 50k range, and I've yet to have a failed transmission in any of my BMW's, or any vehicles for that matter. It's not going to solve the worlds problems, but I know from my own experience that spending $80 every 5yrs hasn't put me into the same position that I've read of others experiencing, inevitably costing them upward of $5000.

I gave advice on the second paragraph as well, yet you only quote my first paragraph, but thanks for contributing anyways. Useless battle with two different opinions, and I already know you're opinion on the matter.

A sample of one is not statistically valid whether it is your experience of not having a failed transmission, or someone else's experience of having a failed transmission. It is strictly an anecdote. Nobody mentioned lifetime fluid in this thread. It was about finding the fill plug. Actually, the link I provided didn't have any commentary on lifetime fluid either.

Since you didn't respond on the question, I gather that you don't believe that fluid changes will help those other components. That was my only point, my push back on your suggestion that all transmission failures are linked to fluid quality when if fact that doesn't appear to be a common cause of failure.

I didn't comment on your second paragraph because there was nothing to comment on. The information had already been provided, and I don't disagree with your comments.

I don't think you do know my opinion on the matter. But I do hope you have a great day.

[m5james]

It's stopped raining, the sun is finally out and it's Halloween for the kids..it's an outstanding day. Same to you.

[zeroboot]

so I called the parts guy at BMW just to ask about the 21 torx bolts on the tranny pan, and he told me that they arent one time use...at the same dealer 2 weeks ago the service guy who did a quote for replacing the gasket told me that they ARE one time use... confused now...the parts guy said normally its indicated in his manuals if a bolt is one time use, but maybe the service guys heard of some kind of bulleting stating that these bolts have problems?

[m5james]

I can't imagine a bolt like that is one-time use, especially since it's not some huge torqued bolt that would cause it to stretch.

[HEISING]

If they all come out easy like, then you are fine. As you can read in my earlier post, I had to use a small torch and a drift to loosen my tranny pan bolts, not to mention the ruined torx bits. When re-installing your bolts, use a small amount of anti-seize compound, you will thank yourself next oil change. Do not get any anti-seize compound on the gasket! If you have damaged the head of the tranmission bolt(s), get new ones, or you will be angry the next time you do an oil change.

[zeroboot]

hoping they will come out ok...at any rate, I bought the bolts elsewhere for 1/3 the price of the stealer. Also found a good price on the tranny fluid, service dept qutoed 8 liters (they sell them in 1/10 litres for some reason) @ $76/litre!!

Got the same required OE fluid (BMW part #:83-22-0-142-516), made by ZF, for $27/litre at pelicanparts.

Now just waiting for parts to arrive...

[HEISING]

Castrol multi vehicle import atf crosses to BMW-lt71141. This also crosses to the LA number. This is what I have in my ZF tranny. I paid around 6 to 7 dollars a litre. If I remember correctly, (from NAPA). I bought 9 litres, and have some to spare. The trick is to find the little hand pump that threads the top of the bottle so you can pump it in the transmission.

[m5james]

Castrol works, but it's not synthetic vs Valvoline MaxLife being a synthetic...no matter what, it's better to at least have new fluid in there vs the old stuff.

[zeroboot]

my spec says 1375.4 so Im not gonna mess around with other tranny fluids.

Was thinking I would also try the ol' gravity method to get the fluid in (find a long tube, attach a funnel, stick the other end in the tranny fill port, and start filling!