Trans fluid change 1994 BMW 525i

[sbsjr13]

1994 BMW 525i

I am doing a trans fluid change on it today, I have the filter and gasket and Dexron III ready to go. I have a couple questions.

First is how many quarts will need to be replaced when just changing the main pan and gasket.

Second is, I have read on here that you use a second plug on the pan to fill the unit, but there is a reservoir on the firewall under the hood that says ATF only. Can it be filled via this tank?

Thanks in advance.

Jr

[Jmac95E34]

1994 BMW 525i

I am doing a trans fluid change on it today, I have the filter and gasket and Dexron III ready to go. I have a couple questions.

First is how many quarts will need to be replaced when just changing the main pan and gasket.

Second is, I have read on here that you use a second plug on the pan to fill the unit, but there is a reservoir on the firewall under the hood that says ATF only. Can it be filled via this tank?

Thanks in advance.

Jr

3.2 qt of Dexron II
The resevoir under the hood is for the power steering which also uses ATF

[sbsjr13]

Thank you sir!

[skunka]

changing the trans fluid on these cars is weird. A local bmw specialist told me how he had to fill the pan a little bit before completely filling in order to reach the correct volume of fluids.

[affende]

keep adding fluid through the fill hole until it starts to pour out of said fill hole.

IIRC i filled the pan initially with the vehicle off ... i topped it off with the car running, in neutral, and level front to back.

get confirmation on that before you do it, but im pretty sure this is how it should be done.

[Jmac95E34]

keep adding fluid through the fill hole until it starts to pour out of said fill hole.

IIRC i filled the pan initially with the vehicle off ... i topped it off with the car running, in neutral, and level front to back.

get confirmation on that before you do it, but im pretty sure this is how it should be done.

That is correct method for dealing with these trannies.

[ross1]

That is correct method for dealing with these trannies.
Factory recommends checking level at operating temp.
A clear vinyl 1/2" tube which fits snugly into the fill hole and routed into the engine compartment along with a funnel make this job a bunch less tedious. This allows a visual, approximate indication of the level without spilling so much.
A thorough job includes removing the forward pan for the overdrive planetary gears which contains another pint or so of oil and potentially another accumulation of wear particles.

[affende]

Factory recommends checking level at operating temp.
A clear vinyl 1/2" tube which fits snugly into the fill hole and routed into the engine compartment along with a funnel make this job a bunch less tedious. This allows a visual, approximate indication of the level without spilling so much.
A thorough job includes removing the forward pan for the overdrive planetary gears which contains another pint or so of oil and potentially another accumulation of wear particles.

^^That. Might as well drop and clean both pans while you are under there.