you should consider doing a DIY video with drain/fill with filter using castrol import on your 5hp24 zf.

I used the Bentley Manual and this DIY.......

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum...hange-diy.html

You need to use a lift or 4 ramps, and you need a pyrometer to top off at correct temp.

Anyone who is DIYing should have the Bentley so correct torque specs are followed, the manual is cheaper then 1 damaged part due to overtorquing.

Hey Guys - I haven't checked the transmission fluid since I've owned the car so today I was doing an oil change and thought I'd check the transmission as well.

I leveled the car, loosened the fill plug on the side and thinking it should just dribble out a bit I wasn't too concerned about having a drain pan underneath. So as the plug came loose, fluid poured out like it was draining from the bottom of the pan. How could anyone get so much fluid into the transmission? I finally got the plug back in but may have lost 1/2 quart on the floor and more was coming out. Any ideas?

The only thing I can think of is the PO said he had the transmission repaired (reverse went out) and the shop filled it on the bench before re-installing.

Was the engine running when you removed the filler/level plug?

Phil

Perhaps someone can explain to me why if the ATF is life time that a drain is included in the pan and yet with my old Torqueflite trans the fluid is suppose to be changed every 30,000 miles but they didn't install a drain plug?

Bingo

Engine was probably also hot or warm for the engine oil change so that made the ATF expand.

The car sat overnight so I ran it for about 2 minutes to warm it up just a bit. Didn't shift gears at all. I didn't think it should be too warm when I checked the fluid.

The engine must be ticking over during the whole process - while you remove the plug and while you set the level. Otherwise the contents of the torque converter and valve block will drain back into the sump, raising the fluid level.

Also, the fluid temperature should be 40 deg. C when the level is set.

Phil

Thanks RR - not sure what I was thinking - obviously I wasn't thinking that may be the problem. I'll recheck now that I'm probably down at least half a quart.

Thanks again for the help - Gotta love the Xoutpost community!!

Pan is off. Fluid was dirty.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ps0ce7104b.jpg
Magnets full of gunk.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...psd61778ad.jpg

Filter says Walger. Does that mean it has been replaced before?
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...psad54f22b.jpg

New ZF filter.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ps1706357f.jpg

Does the O ring just sit at the indent or do I need to roll it down?
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ps450f6221.jpg

Finally since it is 103/39c do I not need to be concerned with warming it up?
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ps2eaed866.jpg

Letting it drip over night, I have 10 quarts of Lifeguard 5 so the more I can get in teh better right?

Thanks