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  #1  
Old 12-28-2011, 03:03 AM
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Arrow How about a ZF 5HP24 Transmission Fluid Change and Failures Poll?

***Update - This pertains to the A5S-440Z transmission used in the BMW X5 4.4i E53***

Hey everyone,

I know there are countless postings of people that argue back and forth about experiencing transmission failuures after a fluid change. That said, I have finally decided to take the plugne and change out the transmission fluid on my 2003 4.4. She's currently at 115k and has never had this service done before.

So this brings me to wonder... of all the people that have changed their transmission fluid, how many of them actually experienced failures right after or shortly after the change.

If you've ever had this done to your transmission, please she your response with the mileage the service was done at and the results that followed (good or bad).

I asked my mechanic and he said that is very rare and you're way better off changing it rather than letting that small percentage the transmission will fail lead to definiate failure caused by fluid breakdown and contamination.
This made sense to me.

I'm going to attempt this on Thursady, so hopefully i'll post up some pics for the DIY.

Your thoughts and comments are always appreciated!
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Last edited by ArNarX5; 12-28-2011 at 12:33 PM. Reason: Correction to transmission ID
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  #2  
Old 12-28-2011, 11:53 AM
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The ZF-5HP24 is the manufacturer ID, the transmission ID is A5S-440Z. I changed at 100k miles, at 146k miles now, no issues. Used the Castrol fluid that met the BMW spec (Esso LT 71141).

Last edited by TiAgX5; 12-28-2011 at 11:59 AM.
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Old 12-28-2011, 12:43 PM
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Thanks TiAgX5 for your reply. I've updated the original post to include the correction.

When you changed it at 100K, did you do a drain and fill or was a drain, fill, then drain again and fill? I'm being told by many that this is the way to do it if you don't want your transmission to fail due to the mixture of the old and new fluids. If you ask me, logically it would make sense to do it the other way and leave half of the old fluid inside to mix with the new to ease off the "shock" the tranny may feel but I can understand the other side of the argument as well.

My mechanic wants to do this for $500 but I'm going to give it a go myself for $170 in parts. Febi OEM fluid and Febi OEM transmission filter, gasket, etc. What he mentioned was if he drops the pan and sees a lot of wear on the magenets, he's going to seal it right back up and put the old fluid back in there again. I figure I'll do the same but how much is too much?

After 100k, do you recall if your magents inside the pan were extremely heavily covered with buildup or was it normal looking (some buildup).

Can't wait to get this over with and take a nice long road trip somewhere to put my mind at ease!
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Old 12-28-2011, 01:28 PM
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I drained and refilled the trans twice, drove it for a week between drains.

Wish I took a few pics of the pan mags, if I had to guess, I would say there was about 1/8" of magnetic particle fuzz on the mags.

I would suggest changing the transfer case and F/R diff fluid too, these are really easy to do, 2 plugs in each. Brake fluid too.
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Old 12-28-2011, 02:09 PM
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Very helpful, thanks. Now I know what to compare it to when I open up my pan. I also like the idea driving it around and then doing drain #2.

I was going to do the F/R diffs but not sure what oil to use. Some say redline oil, others say dealer only. Which route did you go?

thanks!
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Old 12-28-2011, 02:39 PM
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I have used the RedLine diff fluid in the past with excellent results but went with the Mobil 1 Syn 75-90 on the X. I have done over 2k miles of the 46k miles hauling a +6k lb trailer with the truck loaded (truck and trailer combined weight in excess of 12k lbs with speeds approching 90mph), transmission and diffs have hung in there with no issues.

FWIW, I flushed the brake system with Ate SuperBlue Racing DOT 4, this fluids dry and wet boiling temps are around 30degs F HIGHER then other DOT 4 spec brake fluids, it's reasonably priced too.

Last edited by TiAgX5; 12-28-2011 at 03:33 PM.
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Old 12-28-2011, 05:56 PM
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I don't think anything else could have put it to a better test than that! I guess if it can go through that, it can go through anything.

As for me, I'll either going with Castrol or Mobile 1 for the diffs. I use Mob 1 for the engine and it's been doing a good job so far. Hopefully the same for the gears!

the brakes and power steering flush will have to be different project but they're next on my list.
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Old 12-28-2011, 06:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArNarX5 View Post

I asked my mechanic and he said that is very rare and you're way better off changing it rather than letting that small percentage the transmission will fail lead to definiate failure caused by fluid breakdown and contamination.
This made sense to me.
This also makes sense to me. But what haunts me are the many people on this forum who have not changed their fluid and long surpassed my mileage without problems. I'm also at the "point of no return" (105k mi), and I just can't decide if it's worth changing. My transmission shifts very well right now and it's hard for me to justify "messing with it" and run the risk of a $4000 bill.
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Old 12-28-2011, 06:41 PM
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I would do it especially if it still shifts very well. People start changing it when there are issues. If yours is still in perfect, I wouldn't wait. Keep the old fluid a couple of weeks just in case.
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Old 12-28-2011, 07:27 PM
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Yes, that's how I feel deep down.... If it's still shifting perfect, then the insides must be overall in good condidtion and waiting might change that. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I'll do it and let you guys know how it went.
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