The Official E38 Transmission Info Thread

[TheLadiesMan]

The 5HP-30 (A5S 560Z) and the 5HP-24 (A5S 440Z) were used in the E38's production run.

The 5HP-30 is used in the 740's until 12/96 and the 750 until the end of the production.
The 5HP-24, which is slightly smaller, is used in the 740's from 1/97 until the end of production.

A little information on 5HP-24 vs. 5HP-30:
http://www.digest.net/bmw/archive/v9/msg05876.html












Your E38 has the green plate. Do NOT use the black plate fluid.
The "black tag" 5HP30 transmission is used in the M60B40 E32, M60B40 E34, and M60B40 840Ci. The green tag version is used in every E38 application of this transmission, as well as the M62 and M73-powered 8-Series. A technical engineer at ZF in Germany told me that the difference is due to the way the controlled converter clutch was used in the later (green tag) version. It would be safe to say that every E38 left the factory with ESSO LT71141, whether it has the 5HP24 or the 5HP30. As a side note, the "black tag" one uses Shell LA2634 fluid, which is an extraordinarily expensive semi-synthetic fluid created in a lab from petroleum-based molecules.

How to check the fluid:
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/68013

A video on how to change the fluid by ECS Tuning.
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E38-740...3/Video110-HD/

For the 5HP-30 (fluid change):
http://www.e38.org/zf-5hp30-service.html

Fill Plugs




The plugs are hex (allen) sockets. For the 5HP30, the fill plug is 17mm and the drain plug is 14mm.
More information can be found in the PDFs at the bottom.

The transmission fluid in these transmissions needs to be Esso LT71141 or an equivalent fluid.

Red line D4 atf

Site Claimed
Esso LT71141
(BMW, 93 on 3, 5 and 7 series ZF 5HP transmissions)
(VW/Audi automatic from 1993)

Shell LA2634
(BMW Automatic 98-00 3 series, 94-95 5 series, 98-00 528, 94-00 7 and 8 series)

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=51&pcid=9

ZF Lifeguard fluid 5

ZF OEM Replacement fluid for 5hp24 and 5hp30'S!
http://www.tsgparts.net/index.php?p=...parent=70&pg=1

Valvoline Maxlife DEX/MERC ATF

Claims for 5hp18 and 5hp30 5hp24,

Note, claim for LT71141 5hp24 & 5hp19 but not for LA2634 for the 5hp30
See char

http://www.nordiques.com/pieces/imag...huiletrans.pdf

Pennzoil Multi-Vehicle ATF

Site Claims for LA2634 for 5hp30 and LT71141 5hp24

No claims are made on the bottle its self!!!

Ps I used this fluid on my 5hp30 unit, works just fine and its made by shell also the maker of LA2634

http://www.pennzoil.com/other-car-pr...mission-fluid/

http://www.epc.shell.com/Docs/GPCDOC...10624110_2.pdf

Castrol Import MV ATF
Application chart
http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp...s_ImportMV.pdf

Printed back of the bottle

More:
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/800695

I would add some more specifics on current fluids that meet the LT71141 spec.

Royal Purple Max ATF DOES meet the LT71141 spec so it can be used too.
http://royalpurpleconsumer.com/produ...smission-fluid

Liqui Moly Top Tec ATF 1200
http://www.liqui-moly.de/liquimoly/p...oiladb=web.nsf

Kendall VersaTrans ATF is LT 71141 compatible as well.
http://www.phillips66lubricants.com/...dall+Motor+Oil

Link to ZF's Lifeguard5 fluid:
http://www.thectsc.com/index.php?p=p...d=14&parent=57

BG Universal Synthetic ATF

Valvoline MaxLife ATF is approved. PM me for a data sheet.

Mobil 1 doesn't list as LT71141 spec anymore.

**NOTE: Double check the fluid compatibility. Fluids may change.**

If your transmission has brown zf fluid can you mix with other fluid?

It's okay as long as it meets the LT71141 spec

It's recommended that you use the ZF Lifeguard5 fluid as it was made for these transmissions.

In modern transmissions, the oil is a "component" that needs to match the different transmission functions and materials as perfectly as possible. ZF transmission oils are developed especially for the individual transmissions and adapted to their specific requirements. Off-the-shelf products usually have to meet the specifications for different units and therefore have to make compromises, preventing your ZF transmission from reaching its full potential.

If you drain the fluid, about 6L will come out. It's always good to buy extra just in case. You can flush the transmission using the transmission oil cooler located on the driver side by the radiator (left hand drive vehicles). Due to the length of this thread, I'll provide a link to a thread that discusses this.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...t=transmission

It's fine if you don't flush it. Here's a another video by Edwin at a ZF shop in Germany getting his transmission serviced.



Here's an excellent DIY thread on the flush.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1945093

The filter should only be from either Filtran or ZF.
It can be purchased from the dealer.

For the 5HP-24:
http://genuinezfparts.com/index.php?...d=81&parent=35

For the 5HP-30:
http://genuinezfparts.com/index.php?...d=55&parent=30
(http://genuinezfparts.com/)

http://www.pelicanparts.com/euro/cat...Transm_pg1.htm

https://www.google.com/search?q=esso...&ved=0CMcBELMY


Rebuild threads:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1845306
http://www.rangerovers.net/forum/6-r...-teardown.html
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/490896
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1894113
http://forum.roadfly.com/threads/131...aul-DIY-Part-1

X5 threads (same transmission)

Very extensive Discussion about pressure Testing on freshly rebuild transmission, and lot of various pics on the clutch packs and transmission inert.
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...lt-issues.html

Rebuilding a 5hp24 high content and pics post
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ng-post-2.html

Another 5hp24 complete tear down and rebuild post, TONS OF LARGE PICTURES individual clutch pack disassamble and reassamble including the oil pump and valve body no text on the pictures though and explaining on the selective shim and end float
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...st-time-5.html

A good discussion on the 5hp24 issues, and pics of a torn down 5hp24 torque converter
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...summary-4.html

5hp24 F clutch issues
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...roblems-3.html

5hp24 Fluid change
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...y-02-4-4i.html

Unrelated but a rare teardown of a 6hp26, (The 5hpXX successor)
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...eardown-2.html

Want to add a dipstick?
http://meurosport.com/5HP24_Dip_Stick.php

If you're going to drop your transmission, here is a list of parts you should replace while the unit is out:

Input Shaft Seal - 24311422671
Rear Main Seal - 11141710247
Transmission Mounts (2) - 22316771130
Main Seal Flange Gasket - 11141736521
Output Shaft Seal - 24131422667
Rear cover gasket - 11141729836

new filtran filter with O-ring and oil pan gasket
transmission fluid
might as well change the diff fluid as well

For 5hp30 and 5hp24 replace the tranmission pan torx screw with stainless steel Hex head Metric size M6 X 1.0 X 25 with washers for easier access for future service and don't forget to put anti seize.

For the 5hp30 only. Transmission valve body must be rebuild if performing its first oil change, There's a defect with the transmission check balls shrinking due to material problems, failure to perform VBK update before changing fluid may cause clutch and hardware failure, also vBK update also changes some of the valves (don't know the right terminology) and shifter plunger. So it's very important to perform this update.

5hp30 valve body removal rebuild and reinstall
http://www.darkstarmediallc.com/bmw/...dy_rebuild.pdf

I highly recommend it because there is a chance that your old check ball has the degenerative material defect, id play it safe and rebuild the VB, The VBK ts also replace some O rings for the oil pick up risers, the electrical plug to TCM, solenoid o rings prevent leaks, while the VB is dismantled you can Clean up any caked up materials that is stuck on the VB, update the valves for better shifting and the get the updated gear selector plunger. Its a very straight forward easy job a lift would make it easier and it would take a weekend to do it.

5hp30 Valve Body rebuild links, The Valve Body Kit aka (VBK) mainly address the check ball shrinking problems that ONLY AFFECTS THE 5hp30! IF YOU HAVE A 5hp24 UNIT don't WORRY the problems has been rectified. The Kit also updates a few components like the the shift selector plunger, changes in length and strength on several springs for the shift pistons, new paper gaskets, new and improved Rubber O-rings for the shift solenoid, new TCM plug Rubber seals and New orifices. Below are links to VB rebuild!

Very detailed commentary with pics
http://www.e38.org/e32/e32%20transmission%20valve.pdf

A Straight forward guide, step by step with instructions and lots of pictures written by Jeff Chia
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q...dSyAerQb0UhI2w

Information on disassembly, diagrams, how-to's (including how to refill/top off), etc., can be found on the PDFs attached. I would like to thank fellow member Mike in CT for the last three.

As for the shifters and the TCM

The e38 has 2 different types of gear shift levers. Some replies in this thread seem to be mixing & confusing the ATC (adaptive transmission control) features with the MANUAL tranny shifting features with the STEPTRONIC features and normal shift gate features.

There's the STEPTRONIC shift lever (PRND M/S +/-) that was used in the 99-01 740i w/sport pkg & 750iL ... where extreme sport mode is activated by pushing the gear lever to the left...and D S will appear in the cluster's display:

(this is an e39...but the STEPTRONIC gear shift looks & works the same)
-

Then there is the regular PRND432 shift gate with the A M tranny switch where the extreme sport mode is activated by moving the gear shift lever back to "4" and "S 4" appears in the cluster's display:

The step-tronic shifter does not allow accidental downshifts and upshifts to prevent over-revving and low rpm possibly stalling the car.

The ADAPTIVE programming (ATC) has it's own "winter" program that will automatically be selected when wheel slip is detected. *Winter mode is one of the NINE adaptive tranny programs that occur automatically based on driver or environmental inputs:

1. extreme economy
2. economy
3. sport (adaptive)
4. winter
5. stop-n-go
6. up-hill
7. down-hill
8. curve program
9. cruise control program

When in "M" mode...the transmission starts & stays in the gear you have selected (which is only 2,3, or 4)...it does not jump to a gear that is not indicated (no 1st gear as you had supposed). *When in "D"...the tranny starts & stays in 4th gear

When in "S" mode (S2, S3, S4) the transmission will START in 1st gear and shift up to and down from which ever gear you have selected on the gear shift.
(Last six pictures courtesy of Qsilver7)



For US spec models, the step-tronic shifter is only available for the 1999+ 740i w/ the sport package, and 750iL. The 740i without sport package and the 740iL did not get it. Some Canadian spec non sports got the step-tronic shifter. Euro models had the step-tronic shifter from at least the 1996 model year.

PDF Index

-5HP24
-All transmission parts, part numbers, and how to assemble

-5HP24 Fluid Level
-How to change fluid.

-ATF Capacity
-How to change fluid + torque specs

-ZF5HP30LevelChecking
-Fluid change on the 5HP30/24/19/18

Attachments: