Transmission Check??

[BMW95318TI]

Okay first off I'm a new BMW owner so I only fill a little stupid asking this question.

Where do you check the transmission fluid? And how do you replace it?

Thanks,

Mark

[thesk8nmidget]

there isnt a dip stick.

but there is a fill hole and drain hole underneath

it is full when you fill the tranny from the fill hole and it starts to pour out of the fill hole.

[BMW95318TI]

Thanks once again! My 95 318ti has almost 200k on it would you recommend replacing the transmission fluid?

[tiFreak]

Originally Posted by BMW95318TI

Thanks once again! My 95 318ti has almost 200k on it would you recommend replacing the transmission fluid?

probably a good idea, depends on when it was last changed and how often

[thesk8nmidget]

umm another member said that auto transmissions have a sticker that says do not change the fluid.

but it also never hurts to go through the entire car and replace all the fluids and filters.

especially if you just purchased the car and dont have maintenance records from the previous owners stating they changed any of those fluids.

maybe you want to go through the motor diff and tranny and change all the fluids.

[cooljess76]

At this point, I'd just drive it until it blows up and replace it. It may never give you problems, especially since it's already went 200k.

Edit; the transmission that is. All the other fluids should be replaced.

[Mallard]

ive heard a few e39 auto boxes go bananas after an trans oil change..

something about the micro switches in the plate just over the oil sieve stick together

food for thought ..

[BMW95318TI]

Do you guys think I ought to leave the tranny fluid alone or replace it. I bought the car w/ almost 200k on it. The only service records that came with it were just normal oil changes and brakes. No records of change of tranny fluid.

I just want this car to have another 100k in her. Only a one owner car before me. Thanks

[b.u.ti-ful]

Read this

http://www.cartalk.com/content/colum...August/10.html

[cooljess76]

Good reading b.u.ti-ful, but I don't think that Chevy blazers have the "lifetime fluid" thing. It's very difficult to change the fluid in BMW automatics. I've read that people have drained their tranny's by accident thinking that they were draining the engine oil and then had a nightmare of a time filling the tranny with new fluid. Also, I've heard that the fluid is very expensive and if you use the wrong stuff, your tranny is done for. I'd say with over 200k on it and still going strong, just leave it alone. If it starts to make noise or give you problems, then you could have the fluid replaced, fix the tranny or replace it. You could always pick up another slushbox for cheap or do the 5spd swap. Who's to say that this tranny won't give you another 100k.

[thesk8nmidget]

agreed! let it go til you come across problems but until them just keep up on the other fluids

[BMW95318TI]

I think I'm maybe having issues with the tranny. When the car first starts up and I'm driving it, it sounds like it is hesitating to go in to second gear and so on. What do you guys think? I also think it stops after the car has been running for awhile.

[minicoop900]

on the trannies its a great idea to change it, and it isnt actually lifetime, they just say that to sell more trannies.
but to fill it you almost need a rack because you fill it then leave the top plug out and go through the gears on a rack and let the tires spin, and go through about 2 times, and if fluid comes out in a stream then your good, if not it needs more.

the reason you do that is because of the oil cooler that it uses.
and its also always a good idea to change the pan gasket and filter, that will help get crap out of the oil.
also, its a good idea to replace the crush washers on the plugs

[cooljess76]

I doubt BMW is trying to make money off of it's customers by sabotaging their trannys. If that were the case, they'd also tell you not to change your engine oil. I just think it sounds like a serious amount of work and purposely designed beyond the TYPICAL DIYer's capabilities. If it really bugs you, then heck go ahead and change it. But honestly, even the manual gearboxes are a little sticky, especially on cold mornings when you first start driving the vehicle.

[CirrusSR22]

Originally Posted by BMW95318TI

I think I'm maybe having issues with the tranny. When the car first starts up and I'm driving it, it sounds like it is hesitating to go in to second gear and so on. What do you guys think? I also think it stops after the car has been running for awhile.

That's normal.