Transmission = boom!

[frozenwaffles]

Hi guys, so my transmission gave up in my 2001 X5 4.4i.
i have had this car only since january 2012 and it was quite distressing to see such a large amount of money forked out on it so soon.....
but alas... i got a great deal from Auto Trans Australia
Automatic Transmission Serivce & Repairs to Bmw - Saab - Volvo - Range Rover Transmissions and Valve Body - We offer and Sell Transmission Parts

I'll let you know how the full rebuild goes, but i think in the end its going to be worthwhile...
I had even just done the filter and oil in the transmission! but it was broken before this, i was hoping the oil and filter change would help fix the problem.

[m5james]

Mileage, did you do any servicing (contrary to the BMW myth of no service required), symptoms beforehand, etc?

[frozenwaffles]

Yeah sorry o forgot those details. I bought the car at 159,000kms in January 2012.
While it looked like it had an acceptable service history, i dont think it has. Service book says its been only to BMW dealers.
I have coolant leaking either from the back of the engine (dog bone cover?) or the valley pan...
I also have oil leaking from the valve covers just about everywhere in the engine bay...although none ever hits the ground...
I think a really good engine bay steam clean will help identify all the leaks and i'll remove the engine cover on the bottom and clean there too to have it all cleared up so i can acturally find the leaks...
I can see this car is going to be problematic but i do love driving it.
I think it just needs the love it deserves...its had a neglected childhood!

[frozenwaffles]

oh yeah and transmissions symptoioms beforehand:
sitting at lights and in drive there was a noticable vibration throughout the car. put her in neutral and it would all dissapear. this was worse with the air con on.
then it started slipping and then i got the 'trans failsafe prog' message.
After that i did the oil and filter change in hope that it might help fix the issue....but no good!

[m5james]

Oil changes are very specific in the Getrag, and 9x outta 10 if you've already got a problem, changing the oil/filter wont fix it. What I suggest w/ your rebuilt is to change it every 50k just like you would w/ practically every other car on the road. The jury is out and their are opinions galore, but at the end of the day, no fluid is lifetime...unless lifetime is considered 100-150k miles by BMW :/

Your at around 99,000 miles, but considering the list of other things you've mentioned, it sounds like she's been neglected. 100k is a pretty pivotal time in the service life of the M62 engine and all the plastic bits and pieces attached to it. Once again, you can either do preventative maintenance or reactive when something breaks, so my list of suggestions is purely your choice. If it were my vehicle, I'd be replacing:

- The ENTIRE cooling system - hoses, waterpump, valley pan gasket (yours is already leaking), radiator (weak necks), fan clutch AND blades (the fans have been known to seize, then the weak, brittle blades snap and take out everything in their way...hoses, hoods, etc. Google for pictures), expansion tank. When one of these items break, everything is that is also made of plastic from this same system means theyre not far behind on breaking as well.
- 02 sensors - both precat, NOT post cat. Pre's read the 02, posts just confirm the catalytic converters are physically there. These simply wear overtime and read slower, so theyre something you won't notice until you actually replace them and you suddenly get better gas mileage.
- MAF / mass airflow sensor - same as the 02's where it gets slow reactions. You can read countless stories on E39 M5 boards where they replaced their MAF's (those cars have dual, ours only have single) and the power was like night and day. You'll have to search Google and the M5 boards, but there is a VW sensor replacement where it's only like $80 vs the BMW route which is around $200 and replaces the entire tube.
- Differentials - just like the trans, those could use some new fluids as well.

If you're mechanically inclined, much of this stuff can be done from your own home garage and there are write-ups w/ pictures and videos both here and on e38.org BMW 7-series information and links since it shares the same 4.4i V8.

[frozenwaffles]

Hi James! thanks so much for this info....
Yes i am starting to get things done and ordered.
I have just done the front window regulators.
Obviously the transmission is getting done now.
Valve Cover Gaskets are next on ly list and i have the parts.
i will do the valley pan gasket while there.
i have my front and rear suspension kit ready to go in.
i will add to the list the pre-cat O2 sensors and the MAF sensor.
diff and transfer case oils will get replaced when the transmission is being rebuilt.

i will check that link out you sent! thanks!

[Tymatk]

E53 X5 is a Piece of Shit in every aspect except for the beauty of the V8 engine to be honest.