PSA and Suggestion Soliciting (Do NOT Use Vaico Mechatronic Sleeves) SOLVED

[crystalworks]

Just a general PSA about the mechatronic sleeve. I broke my own rule and used a Vaico mechatronic sleeve on our 2010 X35d rather than OE or OES. It felt cheap compared to the ZF one I just installed in my 2006 530 wagon a few months ago. And it was. I was being as gentle as possible to get it into the trans but it would not allow the valve body latch to go up. So, I of course I pushed a little more on it... "SNAP." That's right, it exploded into small pieces of plastic. Awesome. Of course as soon as it snapped into rubble the valve body security latch slides right up with no problem.

Now, my question for the collective. How can I get that sleeve (what's left of it) out of the trans? It's broken off pretty much flush with the body of the trans now as I tried pulling with long needle nose and prying but of course the brittle plastic just continued breaking. Anyone have any secret voodoo I could try? I am not averse to dropping the exhaust for more room to work if it means avoiding dropping the valve body to try and attack from the inside. Thanks in advance for any assistance. Will post pictures of the carnage tomorrow after my rage subsides (and the forthcoming hangover I plan to have). If I have to drop the valve body I'll take my medicine and do it and take it as another life lesson that I thought I had learned already.

BTW, for anyone wondering why I would use a Vaico sleeve... It came new along with 7 liters of ZF Lifeguard 6 I bought off Craigslist. Obviously I was after the fluid but figured I'd use the sleeve since I had it. Moron.

[crystalworks]

Just realized I can not drop the valve body with that sleeve in there as it slides into the mechatronic connector on the valve body. Duh. Looks like I'll be dropping an exhaust for more room. Ughhh such a stupid problem. Needless to say, I've ordered a ZF sealing sleeve to install once I get this POS out of there.

[haigha]

Sorry to hear about the problem, CW. I sawed with a hacksaw blade, without the frame, to remove a plastic sleeve from my water heater. Stupid drain plug failed. I replaced it with a quality brass one and have got another three years out of the heater (installed 2007).

Edit: I used a set of picks to get the parts and most of the debris out. The plastic shavings might pose too much risk with the transmission.

This is the genuine BMW sleeve I got for my N62:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...e/24347588725/

I wonder if just replacing the o-rings on the original would work? For $18 for the one above, probably not worth the risk.

[crystalworks]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm trying to avoid cutting/sawing as I don't want debris in the mechatronic plug where the pins are. I suppose I could drop that down again to clean it out if need be, but first I am going to try to stick something in there to split the plastic of the sleeve so it relieves the pressure on the O-rings.

Here are some pics of the carnage. The O-rings are doing a remarkable job of holding the sleeve remains in there.

[crystalworks]

For anyone in this situation. Not likely, but just in case. I was able to get the remnants of the old sleeve out using a red tipped screwdriver (heated flat head with a blow torch). It melts the plastic nicely and cuts through the o-rings as well. Took about 20 minutes of heating, cutting, heating, cutting, and then gentle prying with the flat head to get the sleeve out. Pieces shown below along with the old sleeve. New ZF sleeve is on its way.

[haigha]

Great that you found a way to get it out without breaking it into too many pieces!

Good luck with the reassembly when the new sleeve arrives

[ard]

Way to McGuyver it!