Bad Gear Change After Oil and Filter Change

[bobic]

Hi All,

I purchased a 2007 BMW X5 3.0D E70 a few weeks ago. I decided to do an oil and filter change on the auto box with a Mayle kit I purchased from a local motor factor. The Mayle kit was specifically for the X5. Unfortunately the gear change quality is now really poor when cold, particularly 2nd to 3rd which is very jerky. Also sometimes when coming to a stop at a junction the engine feels like its going to stall. After 15 minutes of driving the gear changes are much improved but still not perfect. My X5 has 111,000 miles on the clock. I am really disappointed as trying to do good I have just totally spoilt what was a fabulous machine to drive :'(. Any advice ye can give to sort this would be much appreciated. The motor factor I got the mayle kit from and the mechanic I got to do the change are also on the case so I am hoping they will come back with some solutions during the week.

Regards,

Rob

[X5Sport]

Sorry to read this.

What was this kit?

Make sure that the oil is EXACTLY as specified by ZF/BMW for that gearbox.  There is a label on the box with the correct type.  Use of anything else can cause premature gearbox failure!

Did you/they follow the filling instructions to the letter?  There is a very specific procedure that MUST be followed in order to make sure the level is correct.  Failing to do that can also lead to low pressure and subsequent failure.  Overfilling is just as bad.

Sometimes changing the fluids and filter on a worn box will flush the system out and cause problems because the crud keeping the box running also gets flushed.  The result unfortunately can mean the box then no longer works as it did and you may need a rebuild.

It's happened to many others like yourself, and is heartbreaking if that is the problem because there is nothing else you can do but rebuild the box.

[Horizon]

Gutted for you. I had my E53 box serviced by a specialist and it was fine before and after the service.
As mentioned by X5Sport, maybe incorrect oil spec which is causing the problem. I would approach an auto box specialist for advice.
Hope you get it sorted

[AHG21]

Hello mate I feel your pain I had a dodgey gearbox that could of been caused by the wrong oil/procedure being undertaken. There is a guy at ZF that I spoke to who was very helpful his knowledge was amazing.
Hope this helps and you get it sorted.

[bobic]

Thanks for your sympathy and advice guys,

I will have my mechanic check the fluid level and see if the correct spec oil was used. There is a company near Dublin that specialise in auto box repair/rebuild so I will give them a call in the morning also. I will keep the thread updated if or when I get it fixed.

Thanks,
Rob

[bobic]

Hi Guys,

So it turns out the gearbox had capacity for another 1/2 litre of oil and the difference is incredible. The gearbox is now shifting better than ever ::). The mechanic thinks perhaps the filter was slow to soak in the oil during the initial fill hence the drop in level when we re checked it. So to anybody who does this work on their x5 in future, be sure to re check the oil level soon after. To say I am relieved is an understatement.

[X5Sport]

At least it was the cheap option.  Oil level can only be checked at the correct temperature and with the engine running.  Very specific process that must be followed - sounds like they may not have.

Glad you're sorted