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Full Transmission Fluid Change
Full Transmission Fluid Change
I'm trying to pull together all the parts/info for a full drivetrain fluid change on me X5 (gearbox, both diffs & tranfer case) and the best place to get them.
I'd appreciate any comments on my list so far (errors, better places to buy etc).
Gearbox - ZF6HP26x with metal pan:
Oil - ZF Lifeguard6, 7l @ £16.6/l from http://www.incarmotorfactors.co.uk/tran ... id-1l.html (BMW wanted £23/l)
Filter & Gasket - Meyle, £30 from http://www.incarmotorfactors.co.uk/tran ... asket.html (BMW wanted £60)
Still need replacement drain & fill plugs 03.010/130 Screw Plug M10x1 & 03.010/120 Screw Plug with Round Sealing ring M30x1.5 OR advice on reusing the old ones.
Differentials:
Oil - 75w90 GL-5 (Castrol/Royal Purple/Redline) 2l, not sourced yet but should be easy to find
Washers/Plugs - 07-119-963-355 washer & 33-117-525-064 plug with oring, not sourced yet, could go back to BMW or is there a recommended BMW supplier on here for such trivial stuff?
Transfer Case:
Oil - ATF Dexron III, 1l, Shell TF-0870, 83-220-397-244, can only find this online from US
Washers - No idea on size or part numbers from replacement copper/alu washers
I've pulled together how-tos for all of these jobs but would appreciate any pointers from those who've carried out these jobs if possible
thanks
Jay
I'd appreciate any comments on my list so far (errors, better places to buy etc).
Gearbox - ZF6HP26x with metal pan:
Oil - ZF Lifeguard6, 7l @ £16.6/l from http://www.incarmotorfactors.co.uk/tran ... id-1l.html (BMW wanted £23/l)
Filter & Gasket - Meyle, £30 from http://www.incarmotorfactors.co.uk/tran ... asket.html (BMW wanted £60)
Still need replacement drain & fill plugs 03.010/130 Screw Plug M10x1 & 03.010/120 Screw Plug with Round Sealing ring M30x1.5 OR advice on reusing the old ones.
Differentials:
Oil - 75w90 GL-5 (Castrol/Royal Purple/Redline) 2l, not sourced yet but should be easy to find
Washers/Plugs - 07-119-963-355 washer & 33-117-525-064 plug with oring, not sourced yet, could go back to BMW or is there a recommended BMW supplier on here for such trivial stuff?
Transfer Case:
Oil - ATF Dexron III, 1l, Shell TF-0870, 83-220-397-244, can only find this online from US
Washers - No idea on size or part numbers from replacement copper/alu washers
I've pulled together how-tos for all of these jobs but would appreciate any pointers from those who've carried out these jobs if possible
thanks
Jay
- Steamyrotter
- Snr Member
- Posts: 1304
- Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:06 pm
Re: Full Transmission Fluid Change
I was advised a short time ago that you should go for the OEM Filter as there were a dodgy batch doing the rounds where the gauze is not as good and can cause restrictions
I ripped one apart a while ago and can confirm that the interior quality is somewhat lacking compared to the oem version...
I ripped one apart a while ago and can confirm that the interior quality is somewhat lacking compared to the oem version...
If things were meant to be easy, then I will soon complicate them....
Please note...
Anything I say is only from my personal experience and knowledge..
I don't assume to know everything, and know there is a lot I don't know..
But then I could be talking bollox.. O:-)
Please note...
Anything I say is only from my personal experience and knowledge..
I don't assume to know everything, and know there is a lot I don't know..
But then I could be talking bollox.. O:-)
Re: Full Transmission Fluid Change
OK many thanks, I'll just get the lifeguard of tinternet and go to BMW for the filter and associated washers etc
Re: Full Transmission Fluid Change
the transfer box oil i got from bmw.
part number B83.22.0.397.244 £28 for 1 litre. seal washer 14p
when i changed my autobox oil i re-used the seal rings on drain and fill plugs a couple of times with no leaks/problems (as yet!!) :noexpression:
i understood ZF6HP26x box required 9 litres of oil for a full change. i used shell atf m-1375.4 £95 for 5 litres
see my previous posts for info i gained on gearbox oil change.. good luck with it all..
part number B83.22.0.397.244 £28 for 1 litre. seal washer 14p
when i changed my autobox oil i re-used the seal rings on drain and fill plugs a couple of times with no leaks/problems (as yet!!) :noexpression:
i understood ZF6HP26x box required 9 litres of oil for a full change. i used shell atf m-1375.4 £95 for 5 litres
see my previous posts for info i gained on gearbox oil change.. good luck with it all..

05 stirling grey 3.0d Auto. mods - park heater, reverse cam, aux in
Re: Full Transmission Fluid Change
Brill bud, I'll check em out
Re: Full Transmission Fluid Change
06 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.2 SC
05 Mercedes SL350
05 Mercedes SL350
- Steamyrotter
- Snr Member
- Posts: 1304
- Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:06 pm
Re: Full Transmission Fluid Change
What you will also need to take into account is that you will not be able to drrain all teh fluid out.
There will be a quantity in the valve block, torque convertor and cooler/pipes
Do a search on here & Xoutpost foir many many posts on how much you may expect to change per flush through..
Regards
Oh and more importantly..
Make sure you loosen off the fill plug before draining the system.
Otherwise you might get to the situation of an empty gearbox and no way of filling it.....
There will be a quantity in the valve block, torque convertor and cooler/pipes
Do a search on here & Xoutpost foir many many posts on how much you may expect to change per flush through..
Regards
Oh and more importantly..
Make sure you loosen off the fill plug before draining the system.
Otherwise you might get to the situation of an empty gearbox and no way of filling it.....
If things were meant to be easy, then I will soon complicate them....
Please note...
Anything I say is only from my personal experience and knowledge..
I don't assume to know everything, and know there is a lot I don't know..
But then I could be talking bollox.. O:-)
Please note...
Anything I say is only from my personal experience and knowledge..
I don't assume to know everything, and know there is a lot I don't know..
But then I could be talking bollox.. O:-)
Re: Full Transmission Fluid Change
i think you will find you can only drop 3 litres of gearbox oil from the drain plug, the rest, as mentioned, will stay in cavities in the gearbox/torque converter. 

05 stirling grey 3.0d Auto. mods - park heater, reverse cam, aux in
Re: Full Transmission Fluid Change
Just getting ready to tackle this, one more question, how did you check the fluid temp when filling it? Does the Scanner 1.4 show you or am I best buying a temp probe?
ta
ta
- Steamyrotter
- Snr Member
- Posts: 1304
- Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:06 pm
Re: Full Transmission Fluid Change
INPA shows transmission fluid temp
But a probe is just as easy
But a probe is just as easy
If things were meant to be easy, then I will soon complicate them....
Please note...
Anything I say is only from my personal experience and knowledge..
I don't assume to know everything, and know there is a lot I don't know..
But then I could be talking bollox.. O:-)
Please note...
Anything I say is only from my personal experience and knowledge..
I don't assume to know everything, and know there is a lot I don't know..
But then I could be talking bollox.. O:-)
Re: Full Transmission Fluid Change
Probe it is, many thanks 

Re: Full Transmission Fluid Change
jevansio - you mentioned you pulled together how-tos for all of these jobs. Any chance you can share them? Cheers in advance
Current ride - 2003 X5 E53 Diesel Sport
Re: Full Transmission Fluid Change
Sorry just seen this.
Diffs:
Easy, parts are above, just drop out old fluid and fill with new until it starts pouring out. Torque : 65nm (copper washer) or 60nm (plug with oring)
Transfer case:
Same as diffs (obviously with correct fluid). Torque : 60nm
Gearbox:
I was guided by a couple of post mainly:
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/ ... e-diy.html
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/ ... -3-0i.html
http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/thumbna ... album=5059
I was going to do a full change so basically, drain old fluid, remove pan, replace filter, reassemable.
To refill I was going to follow the ZF PDF combined with some of the previous links (ie fill up, start the car, with all brakes on go through gears. Keep filling until box starts to ooze back out filler while oil temp is 40c)
Torque : 10nm pan bolts, filler 80nm, drain 12nm (correct for metal pan version HP26X)
Not had a chanch to doing it yet, will prolly do the diffs & TC first as I will need to get a temp probe to do the gearbox
HTH
Diffs:
Easy, parts are above, just drop out old fluid and fill with new until it starts pouring out. Torque : 65nm (copper washer) or 60nm (plug with oring)
Transfer case:
Same as diffs (obviously with correct fluid). Torque : 60nm
Gearbox:
I was guided by a couple of post mainly:
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/ ... e-diy.html
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/ ... -3-0i.html
http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/thumbna ... album=5059
I was going to do a full change so basically, drain old fluid, remove pan, replace filter, reassemable.
To refill I was going to follow the ZF PDF combined with some of the previous links (ie fill up, start the car, with all brakes on go through gears. Keep filling until box starts to ooze back out filler while oil temp is 40c)
Torque : 10nm pan bolts, filler 80nm, drain 12nm (correct for metal pan version HP26X)
Not had a chanch to doing it yet, will prolly do the diffs & TC first as I will need to get a temp probe to do the gearbox
HTH