Transmission HELP 4.6is
 

So I finally got the X back after 4 months of engine work due to the shop nightmare and all was good....

Until...

The day after I got the car back and it was running as good as new or even better....I got the TRANS FAIL SAFE warning while in my neighborhood. So I limped it home and parked it.

It did reset enough for me to get it to the dealership as the transmission only has 35,000 miles on it. It was replaced in August of 2010 with 145,000 miles on it and now just hit 180,000. Of course the two year warranty is out but with only 35,000 miles I wanted the dealer to look at it first. The first transmission made it 145,000 miles so this one should last more than 35,000.

So the dealer calls me yesterday and says it is pulling all kinds of slippage codes and that BMW will not let them repair or rebuild the transmissions and that they can only replace it.

Seems odd to me but he was letting me know it could probably be repaired but he could not do it. Based on the fact it is an 02 and I just put $2500 in it I know the new transmission will cost more than the dang thing is almost worth.

I need some advice and I know the codes would help, but I know I have read enough on this site that these are repaired all the time.

Anyone's thoughts?

Car has the following:

New Heads
New Lifters
New Plugs
New Coil Packs
New Timing Chains
New Gaskets
New Fuel Pump
New Read Air Bags
New Rear Brakes
New Overflow Tank

I guess I can sell it as it but I owe some on it and put money into it because I was going to keep it. Guess I could just get what I owe and walk away if I have to as I know somoene can fix it. Car is way too nice to not get fixed.

Thanks,

Shawn

Sorry to hear about about all your troubles :(

The only way to find out what really is going on is to drop that trans pan and check out the oil... if it's burnt, then it was "overheated".. if there is heavy particulate, then it was beat up.

or it could always be electronic "mechtronic" issues... any chance you can get a DIS/INPA output?

I have asked the dealership for the codes and what they pulled from the diagnostics. I have not heard back yet but presume since I am paying for it I should be able to get them.

It sounds like the internal pressure is leaking and as the engine rev higher the pressure builds to the point that the trans just slams into gear.

See this posting on a similar problem:

http://www.xoutpost.com/953440-post87.html

If it were me I would do a trans service to it with OEM BMW parts and see what happens. Also clean the electronic connectors that plug in the trans and spray them with WD-40.

That's knowing it's not your alternator or anything else that might have went bad.

The trans could be bad but from what your saying it may not be likely. It really depends on who rebuilt the trans and if they used oem parts. Aftermarket trans filters collapse and cause the car not to shift...had that happen on 7 series. It sounds like the dealer does not want to fix someone else's mistakes....no way I would ever put a new transmission in. If it is the trans I would find a used trans from Bavauto in Cal.

Dealers do not rebuild trans, they only install rebuilt trans. If you want your trans rebuilt you need to find an authorized trans rebuilder for your trans.

Authorized BMW trans repairs:

BMW Repair by Dose BMW Service in El Cajon, CA | Bimmershops.com

scrolled down to bottom of web page to find by cities and states.

Wow bro,' you are having one helluva bad luck streak with that thing, sorry about that. Well here's my take on the matter,

1. First don't fall into the "it's too nice not to fix" money pit, it's already slowly draining your bank account and running up your credit cards.

2. It's just a car, there are plenty of other vehicles on the market that will give you just as much joy without breaking the bank to own one. As we say in the car business, "it's just a piece of metal"'

3. I'm in the same boat as you, my 4.6is is sitting in my garage since late November with broken timing chain guides, along with the usual X5 problems I've had since I bought it. I'm trying to decide whether to sell it as is or fix it and sell it, I'll replace it with one of the following, 1st Gen Jeep GC SRT8, Infiniti FX45 or a Trailblazer SS.

4. How confident are you in the engine repairs down the road? Just saying the words low oil pressure or no oil pressure in an interference engine makes me cringe.

Well that's my 2 cents, as you can see I'm not loyal to any manufacturer, if the produce a POS vehicle I'll drop it like a bad habit...lol!!

Well I got the estimate for repairs from BMW and I must say I laughed out loud.

Transmission $8204
4 Tires $4105 only the rear are close to needing replaced.
Alignment $234
L & R axle boots $1074
Front Brake Job $1057

Total $16051

Since I just did the rear brakes and only need pads on the front I obviously can beat their estimate. Not sure on the axle boots as I have not looked into it. I have already shopped the tires and since i have a friend that owns a tire shop I can replace all 4 for almost 75% less than they quoted.

Still trying to get the records so I can go to BMW of America to see what they will do on the transmission. With only 35,000 miles I would hope they would stand behind their product. If not, I have a good transmission shop that already said to bring it to them.

I'm willing to put a little into it but I obviously can put way less than at BMW and still not be upside down on the thing.

Thoughts?

Have both front outer CV boots done by an indy for $500.00 parts and labor. When they remove the trans they will have to remove the axle off the front diff, so it will be cheaper to have that done at the same time.

Total $16051

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I almost threw up after reading that!!

Outer CV boots aren't related to removing the front driveshaft except for putting the vehicle up in the air. $500 sounds high. $200-300 seems like the range I would expect to hear.

I'm impressed at how big the service advisor's balls are; let's quote this guy $8000 for a rebuilt transmission, then how about we throw another $8000 on the quote for stuff that wasn't asked about.

The BMW dealer that did the transmission work will not take my calls or return the voicemails and emails I have sent them. I will be taking that up with BMW of America as soon as I figure out how.

I dropped it off at the tranmission shop this morning and hope to get pics when it is torn down and we find out what is wrong. That way I can try to help some others out as well that are having the same issues. May know today but not holding my breath.

UPDATE:

1. The shop first checked the fluid and it was about a quart low. He topped it off and I drove it home. It drove great until the tranny heated up and then started slipping again.

2. Shop was able to start tearing it down and there were no computer/electrical issues that could be found.

3. Shop is tearing it down today to see internals. They just completed the same transmission in a Cadillac. Seems they are used in many vehicles. Good news is they will know what they are doing. One of the best in town, so good, that you have to wait just to get them to look at it.

So 6 months and 1 week later I have driven her a total of about 100 to 200 miles maybe. It will be like driving a new car when I ger her back.

I will keep the updates coming and hopefully I will have photos of what is busted for others to see.

Shawn

Good luck.

Be sure to ask the shop if the transmission has been leaking. It should not have been a quart low unless it was leaking or never filled properly.

absolutely... if it was under filled by the dealer and not leaking, they owe you a new trans!

no doubt about it

Some confusion here with the GM 5L40-E transmission. You have the ZF 5HP24 transmission, which was never used by Cadillac.

Phil

I dont use BMW dealers for anything but parts. Hope you get it sorted out, sound like it is something manageable.

My X5 has 189,000 miles on it, Ive done the TCGs on it, as far as the transmission goes, I just change the fluid about every 50k.

Shop did call me back and it was not the transmission stated above so RRPhil is correct.

Talked to the shop today and it appears they put in a used transmission and did not tell me when I inquired about it being under warranty when I bought the car. Imagine that.

Looks like it has some burnt disc and one of the needle bearings decided to fall apart. He said it was one located further back in the transmission. I am going by to look at it and get pictures. Shop is trying to locate parts to let me know what the damage will be.

Any suggestions on where to get good parts? He has read a couple threads I printed out to become more familiar with the issues.

While that transmission is out, I'd have the splines on the front driveshaft and transfer case inspected too.

2002 X5 3.0 252,000 miles
2004 325i 112,800 miles

Well it is "supposed" to have a new drive shaft and transfer case that was also replaced in 2012 according to the car fax and the dealer in TX that I spoke to before buying the car....but I am going to have the shop check it all out regardless.

There is a common problem with the axial bearing failing. Causes that hard 1-2 shift

I stopped by the shop yesterday as he had the transmission torn down. Needless to say, when you see your transmission on a table in 1000 pieces it is a little bit of a shock if you have not seen it that way before. I now know why it cost to have it done.


Here are two pics of what they have found so far. They still are going to break down the drums to make sure they are good. Also, the O ring gasket that is also subject to breaking was still in tact.


Also, can anyone direct me to a good rebuild kit that I can relay to the shop.

Sorry to hear about your latest troubles smwmustang, I thought all was good after the timing chain guidesl/oil pressure ordeal. Man you're gonna be mentally exhausted when and if this whole ordeal is over for good, I think I see a Craigslist ad in your future.

romeokc10 you are correct...not sure at this point but I may have to walk away and cut my losses. Car may be fine but only time would tell. It does appear to running well and correctly but need to be able to drive it a little to find out.

I rebuilt two ZF 5hp24 transmissions and I bought the parts from:

The CTSC - ZF Parts

Transmission Kit : Automatic, Standard Transmission and Transfer Case Rebuild Kits, Cobra Transmission Parts 1-800-293-1848, Cobra Transmission

and

Eriksson Industries

It depends how quick you want the parts call them and choose the right one for you.
All of the above were VERY good companies. All highly recommended.

Hope to have the car back this week. There was some trash in the torque convertor so it was sent out to be rebuilt. It did not arrive on Friday so it should be in today. The rest of the transmission is back together with a full rebuild kit. Not sure what kit but I will find out.

I will update again once it is complete and I have more info.

Shawn

Car is ready and I should be able to pick it up today. They were still figuring cost so hopefully it won't be too bad. That is all realative I guess and the fact I have no idea what he was going to charge me....it is less than the $8000 BMW wanted!!!

I will update again tonight or tomorrow.

Out here, the trans rebuilders are all flat rate...
Post the charge when all said and done.

It's around $3200-$3500 out here from any of the more reputable shops

Ok, the car is ready and I am picking it up today. Total cost is $1950 plus tax. Shop told me he had about $1250 in it himself. He is a long time family aquaintance and a long time customer of my fathers so I know he helped me out a little. But, this will let you know what it takes to have it rebuilt with a full kit as well as rebuilding the convertor. I will get him to give me a breakdown on all the cost.

I know he spent some more time on it last wed as they were having trouble with it staying in park and had to change something so he does have some labor in it and it is not easy to get it out of the car.

Now to see how she runs with the new engine work and tranny!!! Yea me...it has only been 174 days since I have actually driven it and it worked properly. Couple days short of 6 months and only about 100 miles on the car.

Here we go.....

The car appears to be running good and I will drive it a little before seeing what she will do. Transmission shop did say it would nomally cost around $2800 but he was able to save me some money on parts.

Complete rebuild including the torque convertor so everything is fresh and ready to go.

Good to hear--hope all is behind you--enjoy!

Shop sounds awesome. What is the name of it?

Just a quick update....I have put 2000 miles on the engine and tranny rebuild without any issues that I can find. Car runs good and seems quicker than before but I went without driving it for so long who knows.

Unfortunately I will have to put her up for sale. Putting 2 of my kids back into private school so I need to get a little cash back that I put in the last 6 months. I have way more in her than she is worth but it has been fun. She needs new tires so I will get those in a couple of weeks and then set her loose.

I have also started plasti-dipping the interior to match the red. The red kit from BMW was about a $1000. So far it matches perftectly and looks terrific. Better than when I tried to wrap them. I'll post some pics when done.

Shawn

Hi smwmustang,

I echoed Props, same question....

What was the name of the Transmission shop? Since they packaged a good deal for you.

Sorry for not seeing that about the shop.

Shop was Buddy Ferrell Tranmission in Memphis TN. I have known him for quite some time. He put a transmission in my 86 Mustang GT in 1998 or so.

Just a little shop but I had to wait almost a month to get it done since so many people trust him with their work.

Here is the link.
Buddy Ferrell Transmission Service