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Thread: Transmission fluid question

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
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    2002 BMW 530i Sport Pkg

    Transmission fluid question

    Hi all, Here's my question, I have a 2002 E39 with a ZF AT with 171K on the clock. Not knowing the the service history I decided to change the transmission oil and filter, so I drained the trans overnight and the next morning I measured the drained oil and discovered 5 qts had drained out. Now as you already know I was only able to replace 3 qts sooo i'm a little concerned as to the other 2 qts. Has anyone else run into this? What gives here?
    I did several searches but was unable to find an answer.
    Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
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    mitten
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    525it,02 525it,73 2002
    You need to get trans up to operating temp then top it off. Lots of info out their on it. Google your exact trans model.

    Something like this.

    http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...ad.php?1945093


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
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    Caboolture, Q, Australia
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    E39 535i
    I believe it needs to be topped off while idling in park.

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  4. #4
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    +1 to jp5Touring and StRaNgEDAyS with the following add (hopefully in the linked thread).
    Cycle through the gears and fill with engine running. This will force the pickup of 2qts and allow proper fill. Also keep in mind that fills should be done between 50-80C iirc.


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  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by greybeard View Post
    Hi all, Here's my question, I have a 2002 E39 with a ZF AT with 171K on the clock. Not knowing the the service history I decided to change the transmission oil and filter, so I drained the trans overnight and the next morning I measured the drained oil and discovered 5 qts had drained out. Now as you already know I was only able to replace 3 qts sooo i'm a little concerned as to the other 2 qts. Has anyone else run into this? What gives here?
    I did several searches but was unable to find an answer.
    Thanks
    Use INPA or a handheld infrared thermometer or similar to measure the trans temp. Follow these instructions:

    https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...ission/BMklZJK
    Nate J.

    (oOO\ (|||)º(|||) /OOo)
    Titanium Silver/Black Nappa Full 07-18-2001 E39 M5 Heritage (BZ99672). 198,000mi+. Increasing daily. Engine rebuild thread.
    (eŌō\ (||||)º(||||) / ōŌe)
    Alpineweiss III/Black Merino Full 03-26-2007 E60 M5 Manual (CX08265). 157,000+. Dead starter -_-

    RIP, Seabiscuit. Black Sapphire/Schwarz 03-11-2003 530iA Sport (CK39185). T-boned 03-01-2017 at 155,861mi.
    Take 2 "Otto" - Toledo Blue/Sandbeige 04-25-2002 530iA Sport (CH98032). Sold 11-10-2017 at 147,743mi.
    Take 3 "Manuel" - Toledo Blue/Grau 10-29-2001 530i5 Sport (CE92358). Sold 02-01-2019 at 217,600mi. I regret that. Build Log
    Reliable P.O.S. - Green/gray 1995 Camry V6 LE. 270k mi. Sold for space.

  6. #6
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    The exact temperature isn't that important. The transmission should be warm, but not too hot to touch.

    Having the car level is modestly important. The pan is large enough that the fill can vary significantly from just a few degrees tilt. Err on the side of tilting away from the fill plug.

    Filling while the engine is running is critically important. You should shift through gears to avoid any of the operating chambers having drained.

    The goal is to have the oil pump pickup (the openings on the filter) well submerged in fluid during every operating condition (cold weather, steep hill). Yet the fluid level shouldn't be so high that the gears froth it up when on a steep hill.

  7. #7
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    Thank you guys, the information is perfect.
    i feel much better now....LOL

  8. #8
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    Does it drive any different after the change, OP?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
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    Anderson SC
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    2000 BMW 528i
    How do guys do this without a lift?
    I was considering putting the car on ramps front and rear to jack it up enough but I'm not sure because I have to run the car through the gears.
    I would have to purchase the ramps though because I do not have any at the moment.

    Thanks for any advice
    Jamie

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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by JamieG296 View Post
    How do guys do this without a lift?
    I was considering putting the car on ramps front and rear to jack it up enough but I'm not sure because I have to run the car through the gears.
    I would have to purchase the ramps though because I do not have any at the moment.

    Thanks for any advice
    Jamie

    Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
    Jackstands. Never get under a car supported only by a jack. That’s a terrible way to die.
    Nate J.

    (oOO\ (|||)º(|||) /OOo)
    Titanium Silver/Black Nappa Full 07-18-2001 E39 M5 Heritage (BZ99672). 198,000mi+. Increasing daily. Engine rebuild thread.
    (eŌō\ (||||)º(||||) / ōŌe)
    Alpineweiss III/Black Merino Full 03-26-2007 E60 M5 Manual (CX08265). 157,000+. Dead starter -_-

    RIP, Seabiscuit. Black Sapphire/Schwarz 03-11-2003 530iA Sport (CK39185). T-boned 03-01-2017 at 155,861mi.
    Take 2 "Otto" - Toledo Blue/Sandbeige 04-25-2002 530iA Sport (CH98032). Sold 11-10-2017 at 147,743mi.
    Take 3 "Manuel" - Toledo Blue/Grau 10-29-2001 530i5 Sport (CE92358). Sold 02-01-2019 at 217,600mi. I regret that. Build Log
    Reliable P.O.S. - Green/gray 1995 Camry V6 LE. 270k mi. Sold for space.

  11. #11
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    2000 BMW 528i
    Oh I would definitely use jack stands, my worry is I would be draining and refilling under a car that is running and at some point be in gear. I would have my wife in the front jist for a little extra safety. Just wondering shot you guys do to get the car up high enough without any sort of lift. The car ramps for the front would be fine, it's the back for me. I guess I could jack it up and lift my stands up high to give me as much room as possible. I am a little guy but I just don't want to get in a mess lol.

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  12. #12
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    I do mine on jackstands.

    Regular ramps aren't going to help because you need the car to be level.
    A friend had homemade ramps that would work. We called it the "fallen forest" because of home many 2x12 pieces it used.

    It's a really annoying job that is best done with someone to start and shift the car for you. And spend some money on a convenient pump and a giant "cookie sheet". You'll need to hold the hose end in transmission, hold the fluid bottle, and pump with your third hand.
    Last edited by djb2; 03-19-2018 at 01:56 PM.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by djb2 View Post
    I do mine on jackstands.

    Regular ramps aren't going to help because you need the car to be level.
    A friend had homemade ramps that would work. We called it the "fallen forest" because of home many 2x12 pieces it used.

    It's a really annoying job that is best done with someone to start and shift the car for you. And spend some money on a convenient pump and a giant "cookie sheet". You'll need to hold the hose end in transmission, hold the fluid bottle, and pump with your third hand.
    Wow!! Ok, thank you. I just got done rebuilding the vanos, replacing the water pump and putting all new front suspension parts on it last week. I also replaced the CCV system. The car runs amazing just from the maintenance I've done with that.
    My next thing is changing the fluid and filter and putting a rear suspension under it.

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  14. #14
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    Mar 2014
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    Ok how about an update? lol, so today with the help of a friend I added more fluid to my transmission, I had removed a little over 5 quarts ( I saved and measured the removed fluid) today however I added 3 MORE qts for a total 6 quarts. So when all said and done I added almost an entire quart more than I removed...Hmmm
    Thanks again for all your response !! And by the way I do have a nice 4 point hoist in case ya'all was worried about me..................

    - - - Updated - - -
    JamieG296
    I don't (grin) I have a 4 point lift.....

    - - - Updated - - -
    Bimmer7412
    I'll have to get back to you on that after my driveway dries up and i take it for a cruise ...................
    Last edited by greybeard; 03-19-2018 at 09:23 PM.

  15. #15
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    '95 740IL, '01 740I Spor
    As always do as you feel is best. I use a 1 gallon sprayer form Lowes, cut off the spray tip and heat the end to form a 270 degree angle. I only use Castrol Transmax Import Multi Vehicle ATF. This sprayer is dedicated to this ATF only. I load 4 quarts into the sprayer and fill the transmission without the engine running, then load another 3-4 quarts start the engine, start adding fluid while it's warming up, shift through the gears (emergency brake on) and top it off. Be reminded that it's good practice to drive the car to circulate the fluid in the converter then perform another drain and fill (no filter). I prefer three times.

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