Trans Fluid Fill Procedure Question (Not the Usual Ones)
 

This is slightly non-X5, but the info will pertain to our E53's as well. Not that anyone would probably be in this situation as there is plenty of room to work on the X5's. Okay, so I am working on an E61 xdrive 530 at the moment. The packaging on it is TIGHT. Like REALLY tight. So I had to drop the exhaust to do the guibo, change the Xfer case fluid, CSB on the driveshaft, and trans/xfer case mount bushing. Question: can I run the engine with the driveshafts disconnected and row through the gears to do the fluid change? DSC switched off obviously. Will the computer freak out? And/or is this bad for the trans or Xfer case? Caveat, this is a pre-lci 5er so it still has the mechanical shifter. If it had the electric one I don't think this would work due to the computer not sensing any wheel speeds and send it into neutral automatically?

Why ask this you wonder? Because of the aforementioned packaging the fluid fill will be infinitely easier with the other stuff out of the way. The fill plug is on the back of the trans FACING the xfer case! :wow: WHY?! Why you do this BMW? With the Xfer case bushing out and the trans supported on a stand I have a straight shot to the fill plug.

Thank you to the collective for any infos.

There should be no problem going thru gears with driveshafts disconnected.

Isn't the oil fill plug there on the side?

https://www.bmwrepairguide.com/wp-co...209_124723.jpg

There is indeed a plug at that location. But the TIS points to a different 8mm hex fill plug at the back of the trans for fluid fills. Here is the TIS link: TIS trans fluid fill

Now that said. From what I can find EVERYONE, and I mean everyone, uses that fill plug you pointed out. I guess I'll go ahead and do that as well since it is A LOT easier to get to. Plus, then I can rehang the exhaust and I don't have to find out what an open header N52 sounds like. :D

I suspect you will get a code if you run through the gears with driveshaft disconnected. If you want to hear open exhaust I would do so in Park. Then put if back together and use the fill hole as posted. Do you know the trans filling procedure?

Thanks BC. I was expecting a code as well, which is fine. Will clear it with the Foxwell after procedure is complete. I've also resolved to using that fill hole everyone posted rather than the one in TIS. Have not found a single instance of someone using the rear fill hole.

I am familiar with the fill procedure, yes. I have about 3.5 liters in it currently and wanted to ask the question before proceeding. In my head everything should be fine running the engine and trans without front/rear driveshafts connected but wanted to confirm. :thumbup:

Maybe I will start the car up without the exhaust just to see what the open headers sound like. :D

You can run the xdrive with the FRONT driveshaft off but likely NOT the back. You will have no way to stop the spinning of the output shaft. I suppose you can maybe go into neutral. I had a similar problem when I changed the transfer case and wanted to do some testing part way through assembly.

TC doesn't need the precision of transmission I actually filled that before installing into the car.

I remember at one point realizing it would be a problem trying to go from R to P if I can't hit the brakes.

You could possibly go to N and very quickly to P or just turn off the engine when done working through the gears.

I hadn't thought of stopping the drivetrain. Duh. Thanks Andrew. Not sure how long it would take for it to stop by shutting the engine down. But I'd much rather hit the brakes. Fluid fill in xfer case has been completed and bushing replaced (you'd be proud of the "tool" I created to do the job) so I'll replace the flex disk, install heat shields, and the exhaust before continuing the fluid fill. Thanks again. :thumbup:

This might be the only time I'm glad my ZF trans is bottom fill... ;)

Do you worry about the situation going from D to R or from D/R to P position? When torque converter is not locked there's not that much inertia that it should be an actual problem.

Okay, got everything together. Threw a total of 7 liters into it and just barely got a trickle coming out of the fill port @ 113F. Hopefully that's okay... because that's all the fluid they sent me for the trans service kit. I would have much preferred to see a nice stream coming out of it. I do have some pentosin spec'd for the 6hp26 but I'd rather not mix fluids in the gearbox. Thoughts??? Do I leave it on the stands and order another liter of the Liqui Moly or think it will be fine?

I think it should be just fine. If you had waited to upper limit of 30-50 C fill-up tolerance there would have been some stream coming out. Just get another bottle on the shelf just in case in the future.

I made the mistake of testing a wheel for scraping parts when I didn't have working brakes once. It was a very unpleasant clank into P. If I had to do again I would shift to N first it should stop within a few seconds and then quicky go from N to P.

I may try that with brakes and wheels on next time I have one of the AWD cars all wheels airborne.

I shift cars all the time from D to R or opposite when moving slowly. I'm not sure how fast the wheels will spin.

Actually: I think for the gears to really mesh you need the output shaft to be moving, prob good for the drive shaft to be off as long as you can use N to stop it. Would love to see some feedback from an expert.

I chickened out and put it all back together before fluid fill procedure. :D

What I can say is that I feel like I bought a new BMW. I have resolved to do motor mounts and trans/xfer case bushings on all future BMW's asap after purchase. Probably trans seals and the like as well. This e61 is butter smooth now. The trans is still learning adaptations so I expect it to only get smoother. Only have 30 miles on it after project completion.

This 5er was smoother than Red before any work and now the e53 feels like a hooptie. :wow:. In the e53's defense, the e61 is not a sports package car so it's supposed to be smooth and quiet. Complete list of work:

1. Bilstein touring struts and all associated bump stops
2. Motor mounts
3. Transfer case bushing
4. Clean vanos solenoids
5. Clean vanos pressure valves
6. Trans pan, bolts, and fluid change (liquid moly)
7. Mechatronic seals and sleeve (4 seals for valve body)
8. Transfer case fluid change (oe BMW shell stuff)
9. Rear driveshaft guibo
10. Replace leaking front exhaust gaskets at collectors

Anyway, will update as miles add up. School run adds another 20 or so tomorrow morning. Sorry for the non-e53 posting but the trans work crosses over a bit. And this is the forum I hang out in... So yeah, nice to report when work is getting done. :thumbup: