Transmission Flush - Do or DON'T??

[bcredliner]

You can buy Techron at any auto parts store and add to a full tank of gas.

[crystalworks]

Nice that the o2 solved most your issues. Always important to eliminate other causes for possible trans problems first.

Change the fluid, rubber seals, and service with Valvoline MaxLife multivehicle. DO NOT USE ZF LG6! LG 6 should only be used on a vehicle that has had regular maintenance. I'm one of the few who have experience with LG 6 on high mileage, not serviced, transmissions (multiple vehicles). Do not use ZF fluid. It's a waste of money and is thin resulting in not maintaining pressures.

That said, at your mileage, as others have said, changing fluid (or not changing fluid) may result in blaming a fluid change for trans errors or other erratic behavior. No way of telling. At your mileage with no service history your trans is a time bomb. If keeping the vehicle, prepare for a trans change financially.

Were it mine. Change with Valvoline fluid, not flush, just drain and fill. Replace bridge, tube, pan/filter, and mech seals. Good luck.

[mejim707]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Nice that the o2 solved most your issues. Always important to eliminate other causes for possible trans problems first.

Change the fluid, rubber seals, and service with Valvoline MaxLife multivehicle. DO NOT USE ZF LG6! LG 6 should only be used on a vehicle that has had regular maintenance. I'm one of the few who have experience with LG 6 on high mileage, not serviced, transmissions (multiple vehicles). Do not use ZF fluid. It's a waste of money and is thin resulting in not maintaining pressures.

That said, at your mileage, as others have said, changing fluid (or not changing fluid) may result in blaming a fluid change for trans errors or other erratic behavior. No way of telling. At your mileage with no service history your trans is a time bomb. If keeping the vehicle, prepare for a trans change financially.

Were it mine. Change with Valvoline fluid, not flush, just drain and fill. Replace bridge, tube, pan/filter, and mech seals. Good luck.

Thanks for the reply! Yes I totally agree on the "time bomb" part lol Stupid me I relied on a "reputable" indie shop years ago when it only had 120. I called them and said I want to change the fluid and they told me "DO NOT CHANGE IT IT'S BEYOND THE 100K MARK". He proceeded to say that at that milage there's too much friction material in the fluid and it will ruin the transmission if I change it. In retrospect I should have just gone with my gut. But a trusted friend told me to call, and they were the "experts" so I listened. Never again.

I know at some point I'll need a new transmission. I have no problem doing that job myself and it will give me an excuse to but a car lift for my shop! Transmission + lift would still be cheaper than having a shop do the job and the lift will get countless uses so it's worth it.

For now however, I'll do the change. That's my upcoming project for a not so cold day.

Can you offer any advice on where to get the kit and a possible brand you would recommend? I know "BMW" OE is the desired but I'm sure there are comparable aftermarket brands some may have experience with.

I'll go with your recommendation as well and avoid the ZF fluid. If I end up having any slipping issues there is the "Instant Shudder Fixx" stuff I could try.

Thanks!

[mejim707]

Also, I believe I have the GA6HP19Z transmission. Is that the ZF 6HP?

Again, just trying to find the correct service kit and possibly the mechatronic service pats as well.

Thanks

[mejim707]

These are a few of the items I've found.

Service Kit:
https://www.amazon.com/Bapmic-6HP19-...d=WCZ5VZTKWEJR

Valvebody to Case:
https://www.amazon.com/AUTOKAY-6HP19.../dp/B07LFBWH6G

2 Gallons of Valvoline Maxlife Multi-vehicle Fluid:
https://www.amazon.com/Valvoline-Mul.../dp/B008QDV2JG

Does all of the above look correct?

[bcredliner]

Some time ago I spoke with the owner of a transmission repair shop that had been in business for 20+ years. They specialized in transmissions for European vehicles. His position was there is no such thing as lifetime transmission fluid and recommend changing fluid at least every 100,000 miles. He was clear to only use the fluid recommended by BMW or fluid from the transmission maker as it was part of the transmission design. For the diyer He recommended draining and refilling the trans and driving for 25 or more miles and then change it again. That draining the transmission doesn't drain the torque converter. That one draining leaves too much of old trans fluid in the new fluid. I didn't ask about flushing the transmission.

[haigha]

I agree with @bcredliner that it isn't lifetime. For ZF transmissions they claim six years on their site. My ATF looked new at 15.5 years, but it had about 40k miles then. So, his transmission shop's recommendation of 100k miles may be more relevant. I've seen others here recommend 60k.

My shifting problems and limp mode when cold were due to low ATF level as a result of a leak from the Mechatronic sleeve. A common problem, the o-rings were worn out, especially in a dry climate.

We did three drain / refills with Valvoline MaxLife red. I bought a Foxwell 620 Pro scanner specifically for this procedure. It's essential to have the ATF temperature correct when refilling to get the right amount of fluid in the vehicle. Also, essential, at least on some models, to start the engine and top the level off again after the ATF circulates. This is documented in other threads.

My transmission shifts like new with the MaxLife. Granted, I've only put on about 2.5k miles in the almost 2.5 years since the procedure.

[mejim707]

Originally Posted by haigha

I agree with @bcredliner that it isn't lifetime. For ZF transmissions they claim six years on their site. My ATF looked new at 15.5 years, but it had about 40k miles then. So, his transmission shop's recommendation of 100k miles may be more relevant. I've seen others here recommend 60k.

My shifting problems and limp mode when cold were due to low ATF level as a result of a leak from the Mechatronic sleeve. A common problem, the o-rings were worn out, especially in a dry climate.

We did three drain / refills with Valvoline MaxLife red. I bought a Foxwell 620 Pro scanner specifically for this procedure. It's essential to have the ATF temperature correct when refilling to get the right amount of fluid in the vehicle. Also, essential, at least on some models, to start the engine and top the level off again after the ATF circulates. This is documented in other threads.

My transmission shifts better than ever with the MaxLife. Granted, I've only put on about 2.5k miles in the almost 2.5 years since the procedure.

Thanks for the reply! I appreciate this info. I'll look up the entire refill procedure and I'll run through it by the book meticulously!

I posted a few amazon links above for the service parts including the maxlife fluid. Does that all look correct to you or am I completely off target there?

[mejim707]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Some time ago I spoke with the owner of a transmission repair shop that had been in business for 20+ years. They specialized in transmissions for European vehicles. His position was there is no such thing as lifetime transmission fluid and recommend changing fluid at least every 100,000 miles. He was clear to only use the fluid recommended by BMW or fluid from the transmission maker as it was part of the transmission design. For the diyer He recommended draining and refilling the trans and driving for 25 or more miles and then change it again. That draining the transmission doesn't drain the torque converter. That one draining leaves too much of old trans fluid in the new fluid. I didn't ask about flushing the transmission.

Thank you for the advice and reply! If I'm using the Valvoline maxlife fluid it's about $18 per gallon so doing two changes isn't terrible. But the kit comes with all the bolts. I think they're one time use. Wouldn't I need to essentially get two sets of bolts if I were to do two changes back to back?

Also, I posted above a few links to some amazon kits for the service. Do those look correct for an 08 X5 E70 3.0si with the ga6hp19z transmission?

Thanks!

[haigha]

Originally Posted by mejim707

Thank you for the advice and reply! If I'm using the Valvoline maxlife fluid it's about $18 per gallon so doing two changes isn't terrible. But the kit comes with all the bolts. I think they're one time use. Wouldn't I need to essentially get two sets of bolts if I were to do two changes back to back?

Also, I posted above a few links to some amazon kits for the service. Do those look correct for an 08 X5 E70 3.0si with the ga6hp19z transmission?

Thanks!

That's the same ATF I used. I have an E53 4.4i, N62.

The kit looks like it has what you need, but I'm not an expert. EDIT: It doesn't list E70, but does say X5's in that model's range. It will depend on your transmission. I like to use FCP Euro or ECS Tuning because you can search by exact year and model more easily. Is this the right one for your engine?

https://www.amazon.com/24117571217-T.../dp/B08FSPMF8L

I bought a kit from ECS Tuning because I wanted quality parts. It doesn't have as many parts. We reused the bolts for the pan. They were fine. No leaks. On mine, it's aluminum and it didn't need to be replaced either.

For E53:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/24152333899/

Edit: You don't change the pan twice, you use the drain hole to drain it the second (and, possibly third) time. I did it three times to get more MaxLife to original fluid ratio.