Transmition About To Explode?

[Crazychicken54]

So a new problem has developed in my 95 540i and I don't think this one will be as ez to fix. Overnight like all my other problems this developed so now when I'm in reverse or first gear it grinds really bad(automatic) it isnt really loud outside of the car u cant even hear it. But inside it just feel like 2 metals grinding on each other really hard. Now I haven't driven it at all besides like around the block so I noticed it doesnt do it in 2rd or 3rd not sure about higher RPMs didnt push it past like 3k. As far as any other problems it was just low on Power Steering and I went to autozone and asked them what fluid to get the prescribed to me. [Castrol Import Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid] and I poured that into where it says ATF Oil only on the car. It is red and I was told that ATF is red. If anyone knows what this could be related to please help me out you guys have always been wonderful in the past!!

Thank you in advance any question about the problem I will answer to the best of my ability

EDIT: Forgot to add since this is prob significant it will stall sometimes if you put it into reverse and left of the brake fast, but if u switch it into reverse and wait 1-2 seconds it will be fine also doesnt happen often very rare.

[redmaptonowhere]

Great time for a 5 speed swap

[sfgearhead]

Great time for a 5 speed swap

That's what you're looking at if it fails.

Seriously, have it towed to your mechanic and have them inspect the transmission. You're looking at $2k just to have a used tranny put in, including labor and a $500 used transmission. A $50 tow will look cheap.

If you can figure out how you should check the trans fluid level, but I"m not sure how to do that on yours. Maybe someone else will.

At the minimum you should make sure it's full of ATF. Next you should have it drained and refilled. If that doesn't solve it you're looking at big $ for anything more than that.

Good luck.

[jessejames]

great time for a 6 speed swap

ftfw

[Crazychicken54]

Dang I'm probably gonna have to take a loan out just to get this fixed haha, I did tell myself that when the tranny goes I was just gonna do the swap does anyone know much that costs about for parts+labor.

Just by doing some research I read that it could be the valvebody does that sound like a viable explanation?

[Chinman]

I poured that into where it says ATF Oil only on the car. If it was under the hood, it sounds like you filled the power steering reservoir.

[janders211]

errrrr....you can't fill your 540i automatic trand fluid from the engine bay - you have to do it from under the car..

Also, when you do fill it - make sure you buy ATF that lists LA2634 compatible (aka- moble 1 stuff, or whatever).

[attack eagle]

yep it isn;t regular atf.

it;s ~$300 for just the fluid IIRC, so yours probably IS low, and has probably never been changed... stupid lifetime fill.

[Crazychicken54]

It Grinds/Vibrates really bad in Reverse and also when in Park but only till u let off the brake and it rolls to a stop.

Also grinds while slowing down but once u completely stop it goes away.

Can sometimes feel it while turning. Can't really hear anything from the outside really loud plus u really feel it inside

Any Ideas?:eyecrazy

[attack eagle]

yeah, change the fluid.

if that doesn't solve the problem, change the trans!

Oh and make sure it isn;t the DIFF.

[Crazychicken54]

Here is an updated list of everything I can think of to describe this problem..

*In Reverse its a steady deep grumble almost like a exhaust
*In Drive it sounds really bad and slows down the idle to ~550-600RPM when its usually stable at 700.
*Once you put a little pressure on the gas it stops but only while driving forward not in neutral or park u still hear/feel it.
*Can't tell if turning the wheel affects it I think it does slightly seems to be worse when wheel turned to far left or right.
*Car shifts fine still but this does seem like a tranny issue?
*It also grinds worse when the pressure is put on the front end of the car for instance, Braking is bad, parking (http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=408384#) with the car at a downward slope is bad(UNLESS the car is parked uphill with the front being up it does not grind at all.)

[357]

If it does turn out to be your transmission, and you're not looking to do a manual swap:

I have the auto trans out of my '94 530iT that is getting replaced with a manual. It's in good working order with no odd noises coming from it. Given that it'll be useless to me sitting on my garage floor, I'll let it go pretty cheap. PM me or send me an email if you're interested.

-Fred
fsgay@alum.mit.edu

[bdejong11129]

yep it isn;t regular atf.

it;s ~$300 for just the fluid IIRC, so yours probably IS low, and has probably never been changed... stupid lifetime fill.

The Castrol Multicar/Import ATF meats the specs of BOTH AFT fluids that BMW used in the ZF transmissions. It is what I used on my fluid drain and fill. Was 4.99 a QT and I put close to 7.5 in it after the drain and filter change. Follow the Bently instructions to the letter as to how to fill it.

I also found that a 17mm head of a 12mm bolt with a few nuts jammed on the threads will work great for removing the fill plug(17mm Hex)