Gearbox Oil Change X5 E53

[zaw]

Hello.

I know its a contentious issue, but was seeking some advice on a gearbox oil change for X5 E53 2004, the transmission I think is the  ZF 6HP26, I have done much reading on this forum and elsewhere and it appears to be a good move.

Two things have prompted this, I can see there appears to be a very slight oil leak could be engine or gearbox, was not located  first time I took it to garage going again tomorrow could be gearbox in which case I guess it may well have to be changed.
I also get slight jerky gear changes in lower gears when cold so seems like a good move to replace gearbox fluid.

I usually get work done at a indy or bosch service centre nearby and was wondering if the following kit on ebay is suitable:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Land-Rove ... 2a37175a01

The car has done 94000 miles, so what are peoples thoughts on this.

Thank you

[Dimsum]

I had mine done a few weeks back along with a diff oil change (2003 facelift 3.0d with 6 speed auto) and if got rid of an annoying judder under light load. Smooth as a babys bum now so was well worth it for me.

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[zaw]

Hello.

thanks for reply dimsum where did you get yours done and how much did it cost and was the transfer case done as well
please

[Steve Blackdog]

I did my pre-facelift 5 speed GM box change last week.

I bought the replacement filter from my local transmission refurb company for £22 and five litres of ATF for about the same amount.  I didn't need a new gasket as the old one was in very good condition.

It is a very easy job indeed, but if you are not a DIYer, you should find an indy will do the job for a reasonable price.

The kit on ebay seems very expensive indeed. I think they are selling you more ATF than you need.  You won't get all of the fluid out when you drain the sump because the torque converter will still be full of fluid.  Mine took about 4.5 litres.

I think it wouldn't cost you any more to buy the parts from BMW. They quoted me something like £85 for the filter and a similar sum for the fluid.

If you haven't watched this video yet, it is well worth doing so as it says what you need to do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZbA-OqoPJQ

Remember the guy is selling the kit so he recommends changing the gasket and putting new screws in.

Good luck.

Steve

[Dimsum]

[quote="zaw"]
Hello.

thanks for reply dimsum where did you get yours done and how much did it cost and was the transfer case done as well
please
[/quote]

D and T Wise in Bexleyheath.  My local Indy and they are also X5 and Mini specialists (Handy as we have both! )

Can't remember the total cost but I'll dig out the invoice tomorrow.  Didnt include the transfer box but it's something I plan to do soon.

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[mikem]

Had our facelift done back in October. They already have a metal sump from the factory and hence just need a replacement filter. From memory we used just over 5L, also changed the transfer case oil and diff oils at the same time along with coolant. A bit overkill really but the gear changes are much, much smoother now. I drove ours last weekend for the first time since Xmas (it's the wife's car) and was genuinely quite surprised at how well it drives.

[jason@bwchiptune]

In hotter places like the usa they use ATF or dextron oils
Which needs to be changed every inspection 2 service  so 36,000-50,000
This oil is red in colour

In the Europe we use after 7/97 long life oil which is a golden colour and lasts 100,000-120,000 miles or the life of your gear box this is why the oil costs a lot more

In the oil book it says dextron 3 can be used but has ** after
If you read the small print it says only for emergency topup only
This was because no parts company would keep the correct oil as it was so in 2.0ltr containers

Many years ago there was a company in Hayes that changed the gear box oil with every inpsection2 service these cars had problems later

We have rebuilt more gear boxes and had cars in with the red oil that have had auto box problems

If you have a new car and change the gear box oil to atf or dextron you would lose the warranty on the gear box

Use the correct oil in your gear box




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[zaw]

Hello.

thanks for the information I would always use genuine ZF or BMW fluid, for example if you fill up with diesel fuel it costs £110 approx, and hence don't see any problems paying for the correct fluids/oils for the car as its not something you do every month. So seems sensible.

Apparently there is a slight fluid leak from the Automatic transmission valve body sealing sleeve, its very slight, I think this is a known issue on these gearboxes across models/ other car makes, the part I think 24 34 7 588 725 it comes as default with the ZF transmission fluid sump kit which hence confirms that it is a known issue.

I am not sure how much fluid could be lost like this over several years , ie a barely noticeable drip and the sealing sleeve is located quite high, but anyway it means I am getting my gearbox fluid changed with ZF Lifeguard 6 as part of the ZF kit. I have asked for the diff and transfer cases to be done as well.

Its going in for it this thursday

Hope that helps and thanks for the info interesting

[BIG DIN]

I was told the gearbox oil should be changed at a certain temperature to get the correct oil level. I had mine replaced by a friend who is a BMW master tech and when he opened up the nut at the specified temperature a load came out, he told me that meant too much had been put in the last time if it had already been changed. The oil expands as it gets hot and if there is too much in there then it affects the pressure in the box and the changes. If thus is the case how can it be done diy as you wouldnt know if the temperature was right and how much to put in.
After the change I also found the changes very much smoother and the small thud I used to get coming to stand still dissappeared.

[Raj]

[quote="BIG DIN"]
I was told the gearbox oil should be changed at a certain temperature to get the correct oil level. I had mine replaced by a friend who is a BMW master tech and when he opened up the nut at the specified temperature a load came out, he told me that meant too much had been put in the last time if it had already been changed. The oil expands as it gets hot and if there is too much in there then it affects the pressure in the box and the changes. If thus is the case how can it be done diy as you wouldnt know if the temperature was right and how much to put in.
After the change I also found the changes very much smoother and the small thud I used to get coming to stand still dissappeared.
[/quote]

That is correct regarding the correct temp. ZF also highlighted this as a must to ensure correct oil quantity was used.

[malc1950]

Had my auto box fluid and filter replaced by a auto specialist on my 2004 facelift at 70,000 with no problems as yet, my friend also had his auto box serviced by the same garage on his  2005 X 4 weeks ago his is also problem free, worked for us !! 


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[andym3]

I had my pre-facelift gearbox oil & filter changed a couple of months. I recommend it to anyone who doesn't know when their gearbox was last serviced!!!
My first X5 was a V8 & the gearbox went on that & cost me £1600 to be rebuilt!  >:(

[zaw]

Hello.

Just had my oil changed

Facelift 6 speed 6HP26 transmission:

Use the following ZF kit which contains ZF Lifeguard 6 oil  off ebay

Transmission Requires the correct ZF fluid:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-ZF-OEM-6H ... 1367729489

The kit contains 7 litres ZF fluid, new sump pan and bolts and new trans oil filter it also contains modified mechantronics sleeve

The differential oils were changed with standard 75W-90 oil

Transfer case on X5 facelift that have Xdrive requires  special oil:

GENUINE BMW Transfer Case Fluid - Shell TF-0870 (1 Liter) 83220397244

My mechantronics sleeve had a slight leak , it is known across models with this transmision.

I also had slight jerky gear changes in lower gears when cold, these have gone, the mechanic advised me that the oil was down by abut a l litre from what it should have been.

The is a procedure for filling the gearbox can be found at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n50alGUdp3k

Car is driving much better and jerky changes gone.

Hope that helps

[fenj66]

Interesting post and video. But mine has a metal sump and fill plug on bottom of sump. Nothing like the vid. If I replaced sump with this plastic one I would not be able to refill the gearbox!!!

[jason@bwchiptune]

Metal to plastic sumps are not interchangeable


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