Transmission Flush - Do or DON'T??

[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.

[mejim707]

Originally Posted by haigha

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.

Whoa, that kit does look complete, and it's prime! It's says E70 in the description as well as X5 2007 - 2010 so it appears to be what I'm looking for exactly!

I could get that with the sleeves and valveoline redline fluid and I should be good for the service.

I looked on ECS but there are so many option and none of the kits include the seals and bolts. They're all $100+ and don't include half of what this kit includes. Some are over $170 and include fluid but they don't includes seals or bolts either. I'll continue to dig but thank you for the help!

[bcredliner]

I have changed the fluid every 50,000 miles.

[ard]

Are people seriously telling this guy no-name AT pans are a good idea?!?!

There are MANY complaints with non-ZF pans…. They LOOK similar, but they leak.

I wont comment on fluid. I’m a ZF guy, 2x drain and fill every 70k. Pan every second time.

[haigha]

Originally Posted by ard

Are people seriously telling this guy no-name AT pans are a good idea?!?!

Not sure who you're referring to here? If it's me, I wrote I used ECS Tuning because I wanted quality parts and linked to the Genuine BMW kit I got for my E53.

I read site reviews and forum opinions and make my choice. I spent double on a smaller kit for my transmission and about a fifth of the price for the fluid vs ZF. I don't regret either decision