Transmission Oil Filter NOW:trans fluid changed successfully!

[g300d]

So I am getting ready to change the trans oil on my 04 X5 3.0 with GM 5L40E.

Shopping around for the trans oil filter set 24117557069 and I come across FCP Euro selling a Elring - branded set for a lot less. ($30 vs $100)

Are these good to go?

ETA: Trans fluid changed done at 43,500 miles. Basing on what I saw, I would not follow "lifetime fill" on any similar trany.

[BigBlack48is]

absolutely! no reason to pay extra for no reason

I hope everything goes smooth and sure the filter is seated all the way before you put the pan back on! and don't forget to clean the magnet too

[g300d]

Good to know, thanks!

Thats all on the list, and I remember someone I know not removing the old o-ring and trying to put in a filter with a new o-ring...funny, and a lesson too lol!

Now I havent purchased it yet but someone local has mentioned a company called Farpak making gaskets and filters for this transmision. Since its a GM tranny after all, it makes sense the domestic car parts makers have them too. Been looking into that brand as well.

[g300d]

I bought a Farpak branded filter and gasket.

Filter was unmarked except for a few manufacturers codes. The OE filter we pulled out was marked "Germany", though I didnt get the brand for reference, should have for our reference, sorry!

The gasket was fairly disapointing in the sense that it was a thick paper gasket-type material only without the metal and rubber composition of the OE gasket. I put sealant on it for good measure and will watch out for leaks from it but so far so good.

Fluid was AC Delco Dex VI. I used about 6 and a half liters to fill to filler plug level.

Went for a test drive and it runs fine and shifts a bit more smoothly. It was not shifting badly at all in the first place, I did this as PM and not because of any trans problem.

Fluid drained was kinda brownish but not burnt (some have mentioned draining GM factory fill and commenting it was on the brown side in color), pan had some slight gray at the bottom, and magnet had some gray on it. I'm glad I changed the trans fluid because I wouldnt want that stuff inside for the next hundred thousand miles!

[w3it]

How often should you change the trans fluid? Was there a problem and you decided to change yours or what was the reason for the change?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by w3it

How often should you change the trans fluid? Was there a problem and you decided to change yours or what was the reason for the change?

You will get answers ranging from every 50,000 km to never.

I would change it if it was out of spec, burnt, etc.

The issue is that if it is in there for a long time, then you put in new fluid which by design has a high detergent level, the new fluid can loosen deposits that weren't hurting anything and they can shift to places where they do cause harm, usually in the valve body. Those that promote doing it regularly are aiming to avoid any such build ups. Those that promote leaving it alone point out that changing it hasn't been shown to extend the life of the transmission, which can often fail for a reason unrelated to fluid quality.

There is no single correct answer. And the debate can rage on for page after page. Search for similar past discussions.

[bcredliner]

I would not use a filter other than OE or OEM. The filter removes debris that can shorten the life of the transmission and is a small expense in comparison to a transmission repair.

[g300d]

Originally Posted by w3it

How often should you change the trans fluid? Was there a problem and you decided to change yours or what was the reason for the change?

As mentioned, there is considerable debate on trans fluid change interval. As I have relatively low mileage (45,000 + miles), I opted to change it out to keep the fluid fresh.

I drive hard but with consideration to my trans (letting off the throttle a bit at shift points and the like). Fluid was not burnt at all but a very fine gray coating at the pan bottom and magnet was stuff I did not want circulating for the lifetime of the car. Seeing what I saw, I dont feel comfortable with a lifetime auto trans fluid fill at all.

No problems at all with the trans at the moment, I just did this as preventive maintenance after considering all the different opinions on the topic.

I would probably change it every 40-50,000 miles but am doing a bit more research on the topic so the above is just what I "feel" I should be changing based on what I saw in the pan.