Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E53) Forum
Fluid Motor Union
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Today's Posts New Posts

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 02-12-2014, 03:06 PM
bcredliner's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Little Elm,Texas. (40 minutes North of Dallas)
Posts: 8,108
bcredliner is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by KCMoore2013 View Post
I just checked the fluid with the engine running and it's not circulating at all. Will it do that if it's just sitting, or do I need to have someone turn the steering wheel while I watch the fluid?
Yes, it should circulate at idle without turning the wheel. To be sure use a turkey baster to take the fluid down some. It is easier to see circulation if the fluid is lower.
__________________
X5 4.6 2002 Black Sap, Black interior. 2013 X5M Melbourne Red, Bamboo interior
Dallas
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-12-2014, 03:23 PM
KCMoore2013's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Overland Park, Kansas
Posts: 45
KCMoore2013 is an unknown quantity at this point
What's the best fluid to use? I see a lot of posts saying they just use Dexron III but I would like to know there is a BMW-specific fluid that I should be using. For all I know, the previous owner could have put domestic tranny fluid in it.
__________________
Current:
2001 BMW X5, 4.4i, 138K miles, Black & Tan.

Past:
1984 318i
1993 318i
1993 325i
2001 325i
1997 528i
1974 Porsche 911 2.7
1976 Porsche 911s
1978 Porsche 911 Targa
1985 Porsche 924
1987 Porsche 944 S2 Cabrio
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-12-2014, 03:36 PM
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 KCMoore2013 View Post
What's the best fluid to use? I see a lot of posts saying they just use Dexron III but I would like to know there is a BMW-specific fluid that I should be using. For all I know, the previous owner could have put domestic tranny fluid in it.
It depends what is installed, and that is indicated on the cap of the reservoir.

Some vehicles had Pentosin installed. Most had ATF installed. If it says ATF, Dexron is fine. It is just a hydraulic fluid, the things that make different ATFs different don't matter to a power steering system.
__________________
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
  #4  
Old 02-12-2014, 03:32 PM
Ricky Bobby's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 9,344
Ricky Bobby will become famous soon enough
I used mobil 1 synthetic ATF
__________________
2018 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins 68RFE
19k miles -Bright White/Black - Big Horn Sport - Crew Cab Short Bed
2013 X5 35D (CEO's) - Born on 5/17/2013 -
82k miles - Alpine White/Cinnamon Brown/Premium Pkg, Sport Activity/Premium Pkg and Sound/20" Style 214/Running Boards

Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-18-2014, 08:54 AM
zzzzkev's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: MoCo, MD
Posts: 73
zzzzkev is on a distinguished road
KCMoore2013 - I own an '02 X5 3.0. I have 194,000 miles on it. I recall when I replaced the rotors they were a 3lb hand held sledge to get free. I have not had the challenges you've spec'd here. But then again, I have maintained the car regularly since mile #6 when I bought it. That was 193,994 miles ago. I believe the X is the best built and finest car I have ever owned. You bought yours used with an unknown service history.

Last week on a business trip 250 miles from home the oil separator failed which lead to engine hydro-lock. Towed and repaired for $2300. My fault. The fact is it was 2 degrees the morning I drove to HQ. I drove for about maybe 3 miles, not long enough to get the engine hot which lead directly to the failure. My past weekend consisted of driving a one-way rental 250 miles to retrieve my X and drive 250 miles back home same day in the snow! Frustrating as it was, and it was a PITA, I will STILL keep this vehicle AND maintain it at regular intervals as I have for 12 years. Long live my X5!!!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-18-2014, 09:54 AM
Daka's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Ft Lauderdale
Posts: 423
Daka is on a distinguished road
I just added about 8 oz of MOBIL 1 ATF. I had open quarts of that and Castrol Dexron III, 50/50 choice....
__________________
BMWCCA # 12660
14 GLK 350 M/B (hatefull POS gone)
05 CLK 500 AMG Cabrio
07 530xiT
09 Boxster
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-18-2014, 01:50 PM
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 zzzzkev View Post
Last week on a business trip 250 miles from home the oil separator failed which lead to engine hydro-lock. Towed and repaired for $2300. My fault. The fact is it was 2 degrees the morning I drove to HQ. I drove for about maybe 3 miles, not long enough to get the engine hot which lead directly to the failure.
Your short drive the morning it failed did not lead to the failure. You could not have continued to drive in any case if it froze.

The failure was because of all the short trips previous to this one, when the condensate paste built up over time, and from not cleaning it out.
__________________
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
  #8  
Old 02-18-2014, 10:27 AM
zzzzkev's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: MoCo, MD
Posts: 73
zzzzkev is on a distinguished road
My repair file is about 4" thick. I've had my '02 since 12/01. I won't list everything thing here since I don't want to break the forum's back! LOL!! 194,000 miles and running strong!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-28-2014, 09:05 PM
zzzzkev's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: MoCo, MD
Posts: 73
zzzzkev is on a distinguished road
JCL: True the short drive that morning was not the cause but in fact was the straw that broke the camel's back. Today I retrieved the car from my trusted indy. The SES light had come on and threw the dreaded P0171 and P0174. It was running too lean. The smoke test revealed the Intake Manifold Runner was leaking like a sieve. Another $531. 195,000 miles and it runs like a top again!

'02 X5 3.0
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


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 03:57 AM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2025, 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.