What transmission filter kit do I need?

[OnTheFence]

I have the GM tranny automatic. A5S390R
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DT63&mospid=47587&btnr=24_0830&hg=24&fg=05

Can you reuse the 20 bolts? Or should you replace?

What part number can I use to price compare the kits?
Filter, Pan Gasket, 20 Housing Bolts

Seems like Pelican has it. Which OEM brand should I stick with?
http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/catalog/shopcart/BE39/POR_BE39_TRANSM_pg1.htm#item0

Brand: Elring Klinger
Brand: Meistersatz

Any preference?

[BMW540san]

I tend to like combination of Pelican parts brand rating and customer reviews. It seems honest enough. Many times the brand that is the most recommended and has best reviews is not most expensive. They usually all comes with new bolts. I'd trust the combination of realoem and pelican fitment as it rarely fails.

[ezbmr]

Wow, if I had had known the 2001 E39s had a GM transmission I would have gotten one rather than my E46....

I was going to recommend thectsc.com, but I think they only deal with ZF

[rf900rkw]

New pan bolts? Really?


It's a GM transmission. The filter and fluid can be had at any local parts store. The factory gasket is reusable. Reuse it, don't install the crap paper/rubber one that comes with the filter.

Edit:

Looking at the three in your link, only the Meistersatz has the correct gasket. The paper or rubber gaskets supplied with most filter kits (including the other two linked) will leak and WILL damage the pan rail. Many of the the transmissions I rebuild have to have new pans installed because some backyarder decided to fix his failing transmission by changing the fluid and filter... and in doing tossed the expensive factory reusable gasket, replacing it with the paper crap, and then bent the pan lip when (over) torquing the bolts.

[tmvE39E53Z32TT]

^I would take Randy's advice. I know you can use any Dexron ATF in a GM tranny. No need to replace the bolts. I don't know about the gasket, but I would re-use it per his advice.

[OnTheFence]

Thanks for the info, Randy. You're a great poster. Glad you're still here.

You're saying replacement paper and rubber replacements are no good.
What is the factory reusable gasket made of? Silicone? (if not paper or rubber)

So, it sounds like I don't need new bolts OR a new gasket.
I'll just buy a filter. BMA sells just the Meistersatz filter and gasket for $20.
Is there ever a situation when you should NOT reuse the original gasket?

Torque settings on the pan bolts is only 4 ft/lbs?
Is that basically hand tightened and one light tug with the 1/4" ratchet?
Sort of like a valve cover gasket?

Meanwhile, I got all sucked into the whole Pentosin quagmire, and ordered 2 gallons of it for $70/ea.
In all those threads, I wish someone had noted the Pentosin madness only applies to ZF trannys!

[rf900rkw]

The original gasket is steel with a rubber bead bonded to the inner edge. You can see this in the picture of the Meistersatz. Pans that are designed for a cork/rubber/paper gasket will have a mechanism to retain said gasket. A ridge, bumps, recesses, something. These will be located between the bolt holes giving purchase so the gasket can't slide out. Pans and cases designed for a solid reusable gasket are flat. There is no mechanism to retain the gasket. Further, they don't have the strength (ridges add strength, as any 'tater chip knows), relying on an even clamp against the solid gasket frame. When torqued against a soft gasket, it will dimple in under the bolt heads. This over crushes the gasket at the bolts while not supplying enough crush in between. And once this has been done, the pan will no longer seal against a solid gasket.

They need replacement when the rubber bead separates from the steel frame. Doesn't happen often.

The pan bolts are just 6mm with 8mm hex heads. And the torque is very low, as you noted. They shouldn't give any trouble. And if they do, every local hardware store will have something that will work, if not match exactly. The ZFs use a T27 bolt head... much more prone to damage by the uninitiated. Yet those aren't included. Who makes up these kits??


Fluid is Dexron VI, per BMW. Everyone stocks it. You fell into a common trap in this forum. Saying E39 is not enough. There are many combinations of E36, E46, and E38 parts in the seven year run.

[OnTheFence]

I am tempted to leave the pan/filter alone and just do a drain/fill once or twice.
My main concern is that if there's a leak, it would be low, and I wouldn't know.
I'm at 140k miles. Thoughts? Or, just suck it up and do the filter also?