Replacement torque converter

[bimmer7410]

Greetings all.

I am trying to prepare my pockets for this torque converter replacement I know is coming. Few questions:

1. Any specific brand recommendations?
2. How much should I be paying for this job? I've seen prices like 1400 floating around..

Thanks in advance

[DakodaE39]

Greetings all.

I am trying to prepare my pockets for this torque converter replacement I know is coming. Few questions:

1. Any specific brand recommendations?
2. How much should I be paying for this job? I've seen prices like 1400 floating around..

Thanks in advance

Do you own a 530 or 540? If you own a 540 i have never seen a torque converter fail on one of those. Only the 530i

[JimLev]

His sig says 540.

[bimmer7410]

Yep, I've got a 540. Strange that this issue doesn't seem to be common for the 540, as when I searched the issue on the 740 (which uses the same 5hp24) and found plenty of topics which describe my issue (grumbling sound at speed right before an rpm dip)
They recommend a simple tranny fluid change + some Dr Tranny shudder fix. I think I'll try that route before going all the way on the torque converter..

[geargrinder]

Do you own a 530 or 540? If you own a 540 i have never seen a torque converter fail on one of those. Only the 530i

True. Actually I'm not sure I've ever heard of a 5HP24 TC going out on any BMW or Audi. And I"ve known a crapload of those cars.

I mean I'm sure its happened and probably some of my Audi buds have had it happen and I just didn't hear / didn't ask / just oldzheimers forgot... but... as a rule it seems the TC is not on your big worry list w/ those trannies.

[bimmer7410]

True. Actually I'm not sure I've ever heard of a 5HP24 TC going out on any BMW or Audi. And I"ve known a crapload of those cars.

I mean I'm sure its happened and probably some of my Audi buds have had it happen and I just didn't hear / didn't ask / just oldzheimers forgot... but... as a rule it seems the TC is not on your big worry list w/ those trannies.

This is super strange to me as well. AFAIK both the cars use the same transmission in most configurations and the problem is well heard of in their circle. I ran across a couple other 540 users whom never solved the problem

[HoZy]

They recommend a simple tranny fluid change + some Dr Tranny shudder fix.

Something something 20,000km later of driving it like I stole it looking for a reason to import a manual. (With an Alpina trans tune)

For all I know that stuff is snake oil, but it wasn't my first my first service of the trans.

Very high chance yours has been serviced as well and the replacement filter is restricting flow causing the issues as well, that's a common fault with the 5hp24 with some cheaper filters. From memory filtrans? is the recommended filter.

Cheers
Mat

[msvphoto]

5HP24 torque converter failure was/is very common on the Audi allroad. I think it was a seal defect that was fixed by around 2002 or 2003. Probably an Audi problem that doesn't apply to the 540i (I hope).

Can't hurt to try a fluid change. I would talk to a ZF rebuilder/expert before trying additives.

[bimmer7410]

5HP24 torque converter failure was/is very common on the Audi allroad. I think it was a seal defect that was fixed by around 2002 or 2003. Probably an Audi problem that doesn't apply to the 540i (I hope).

Can't hurt to try a fluid change. I would talk to a ZF rebuilder/expert before trying additives.

Yeah ill be doing the fluid change very soon. Hopefully this week

[bimmer7410]

I'd like to report back that the fluid/filter + dr tranny removed my issue entirely. Its possible that a simple change would have sufficed, but I did not think it was worth changing and still potentially having the issue.
Its SO nice to be able to accelerate without that damned grumbling and stutter...now im gonna be even more obsessed with this thing. On to the catch-can install next...

[geargrinder]

I'd like to report back that the fluid/filter + dr tranny removed my issue entirely.

NICE!

Its possible that a simple change would have sufficed,

I think that's a good assessment and very likely. I don't know much about the AT magic snake oils, but I do know modern ATF's are some of the most high tech of fluids in the car and are loaded with all kinds of majicks already, and I think indeed just a flush or double flush would have done it (come to think of it, its similar to gas-additives, aka 'modern retail gas all contains that crap already'). But as long as there's no chance of harm, why the hell not. Hey come to think of it, I've tossed some of the liquimoly MoS2 additive in my tranny which is the manual equivalent of that so I guess I've done the same thing.

[bimmer7410]

NICE!



I think that's a good assessment and very likely. I don't know much about the AT magic snake oils, but I do know modern ATF's are some of the most high tech of fluids in the car and are loaded with all kinds of majicks already, and I think indeed just a flush or double flush would have done it (come to think of it, its similar to gas-additives, aka 'modern retail gas all contains that crap already'). But as long as there's no chance of harm, why the hell not. Hey come to think of it, I've tossed some of the liquimoly MoS2 additive in my tranny which is the manual equivalent of that so I guess I've done the same thing.

Makes sense. I will repeat what has been said before: the lifetime fill is BS. Get that gunk outta there (if you're having a problem, that is)
Now if only that darned manual swap wasn't so expensive

[geargrinder]

Makes sense. I will repeat what has been said before: the lifetime fill is BS. Get that gunk outta there (if you're having a problem, that is)

Agreed but actually I'd actually say "get that gunk out of there BEFORE you have a problem!" Change that fluid from time to time while the transmission is working great and it'll last a LOT longer... And hell, it doesn't even have to be THAT often... every 60k or some is more than adequate to stay ahead of it and keep the parts protected by fresh goo.

[bimmer7410]

Agreed but actually I'd actually say "get that gunk out of there BEFORE you have a problem!" Change that fluid from time to time while the transmission is working great and it'll last a LOT longer... And hell, it doesn't even have to be THAT often... every 60k or some is more than adequate to stay ahead of it and keep the parts protected by fresh goo.

Completely agreed!

[msvphoto]

Great news, glad it worked. Hope the shudder issue remains gone for you.

[djb2]

There is a fair chance it was a restrictive aftermarket filter, bad seal from the filter to the pump or low fluid level that was the source of the problem. All of these will result in air-entrained fluid entering the torque converter.