ZF 5HP30 shift selector leak

[Gary Knox]

My '97 840Ci has a modest leak at the transmission shift selector seal. I've found the ZF part number on the ZF catalog for this green label transmission as 0734 319 623 (it indicates 2 are required). It's physical description is 10X18X5 . My problem is I can not find a source for these. Would the seal be available from BMW? Would a generic oil seal with those dimensions be OK?

Also, I have not seen a procedure for this replacement I've found that Shogun indicates it's a 30 minute job (meaning several hours or days for me). I'd appreciate any suggestions for getting the new seal and removing replacing the old seal.

Also, with 21 years and 65K miles, I'd like to change the transmission fluid and filter. Anyone have success with filters OTHER than the OE BMW one that apparently ZF spins out of gold? I've found several equivalents to the Esso LT71141 fluid specified by BMW. Any comments about successful fluids appreciated.

Gary

[m6bigdog]

I assume you can get that seal from BMW p/n: 24 14 7 571 213

I have changed the trans fluid in my various BMW's that use LT71141 numerous times.
I have yet to buy any fluid other than ESSO. My 850 has 81k miles and I have changed the fluid & filter 3 times.
I buy the 20 liter jug from the dealer at about $23 a liter. An oil change can use 7- to more then 10 quarts (13 liters w/torque converter) depending on how much drain back you get from the torque converter.
I also only used BMW OE trans filters & gaskets.
My philosophy is to be thankful I can save money on the labor cost and not scrimp on getting the best products and parts directly from the BMW dealer at the best discount I can negotiate.
IMHO, unknowingly selecting a lesser quality or incomparable substitute products and parts could cost some serious money in the long run.

[JDP530]

Looks like the seal may be available through a dealer like scorebmwparts.com:

Quick Order Part Number 24147571213 Part Name SHAFT SEAL MSRP $22.94 Core $0.00 Save $5.35 Online Price $17.59

[mbarrett635]

I can’t speak directly to the filters for the eight series cars, but when I had my 750, which shares a similar transmission with our cars, there were multiple discussions on a different forum about problems with using aftermarket filters. Apparently they weren’t hardy enough, and would collapse from the suction, or something like that. In any event, the conventional wisdom was to only use OE filters. I’m going to assume that wisdom applies to our cars as well. Take that advice for what it’s worth.


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[toomanyparts]

ZF LifeGuard 5 is speced for green label transmissions and I have used it without issues.

[Gary Knox]

Thank you all for your comments about the filter and the selector seal. I've ordered 2 seals and have a friend in the foreign car parts supply business who is investigating the OEM for the BMW ATF filter.

I have also been intrigued by the ATF specification of Esso 71141 for the green tag ZF 5HP30 transmissions and it's lack of availability. Several other products are supposedly equivalent, including Pentosin, Febi, Redline et al. In reading several BMW web sites today,I found a poster who stated that Castrol Import Multi-Vehicle ATF is equivalent to the LT71141 (he confirmed it via a call to Castro). So, I did further research and confirmed that indeed Castrol Transmax Import Multi-Vehicle ATF is rated equivalent to the BMW spec oil number which is stamped on the transmission pan - 83229407807. Equivalence to that BMW number is stated on the 2018 Castrol product specification sheet. It is priced at $24.99 per gallon ($6.25 per quart or $6.60 per liter) at Advance Auto Parts. Quite a bit different than the $18-25 per liter I found for the other products above.

Gary-

PS: My friend just sent an email that the OEM supplier for the filter is Bilstein (probably Febi-Bilstein). Price is less than $30.

[toomanyparts]

The Lifeguard by ZF can be had for a bit less and would be my first choice.

[shogun]

Here is a DIY for the seal on a 5HP30 in an E32 http://bmwe32.masscom.net/dutch740/s...ectorshaft.htm
he used a small screwdriver. Last time I used on my 4HP24 such a mini pick hook set, that worked good https://www.ebay.com/itm/4Pcs-Mini-P...cOvk:rk:3:pf:0
before you install the new seal, mask the rod with some masking tape so that the new seal does not get damaged by the sharp edges of the rod when you slide the seal in, slide it over the masking tape on the rod, then remove the masking tape. Buy 2-4 new seals, I broke/damaged the lip seal the last time of 2 of them before the third fitted without damage..
With regards to the trans filters, Febi is o.k., I even have cut off the original one and a Febi filter to investigate https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ht=febi+filter
All this info/hype about tranny whine because of a wrong / aftermarket filter is according to my research a / one very old post from a davidc2 on RF E38 forum from 02-12-2003 !! see link.
In my opinion it is not the filter which makes sometimes the whining noise when really hard driving, but a not 100% fitting O-Ring or not correct fluid level. Last year a friend with a Porsche Carrera 4 asked us for help as after a pro shop made the trans fluid change he had whining noise when engine and trans were cold. We found out that fluid level was not correct = too low. We added fluid and I tested the car every morning for 1 week with cold engine / trans and the whining noise was definitely gone by just adding some more trans fluid.
O-Ring problems on the filter, pics we made http://e32b12.blogspot.com/2012/10/t...er-o-ring.html

On 5HP30 I also have used a lot of Mann filters and Febi, no problem at all.
And for the 5HP24 I use the kits from FCPGroton called Meistersatz. Cheap and works.



Same with the ATF fluid. Esso LT71141 was once specified abt. 30 years ago. Here in Japan we use jap. made multi purpose ATF, similar to the products you can buy in the U.S., just for example here a list from 2010
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/800695

[Mike in CT]

I have always purchased parts for my transmission directly from this ZF distributor:

http://www.erikssonindustries.com/

The filter that ZF sells for their ZF transmission has been Filtran for the three that I has purchased. I believe the filter is about $40.

They were very helpful when I rebuilt my valve body changing to the upgraded main pressure spool valve about 5 years ago.

[shogun]

For filling you can use a garden sprayer, just cut off the spray nozzle and attach a longer hose, here pics how my one looks, scroll down http://e32b12.blogspot.com/search/label/A5S560Z
or a multi-use transfer pump, that also works fine https://www.harborfreight.com/multi-...ump-63144.html only $6.99 at HaborFreight

[ChrisFuture8]

At OP:

Mine was also leaking and I finally replaced about 4 months ago.
It's not a difficult job to do but the gotchas that others have mentioned is that the seals have hardened over the years.
You'll have to be patient to pick the pieces out. The other thing is when you loosen the bolt that clamps the end of the transmission shift cable, make sure you don't assert too much force or twist the end shaft of the cable. If you snap that part, you'll end up having to buy the entire cable and find a way to fish it through from the inside of the car.
I also had to do that. I took some pictures and had intended to write up a DIY but life has gotten in the way so never got around to doing that.
Do have pictures to share if you ever got stuck down that road.

[masbury]

Gary;

Having also gone through all the drama and gnashing-of-teeth about transmission fluid for 5HP30's, I contacted Valvoline and discovered that their MaxLife "Red" full synthetic is completely compatible with the Esso 71141 specification.
You can buys it here: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline...&selected=true

Mike

[Gary Knox]

IF you have a leak at the shifter rod on the side of the transmission, go to this link, then down to about post # 14 and beyond. My post at #17 confirms the EASIEST and fastest way to remove the leaking seal.

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...iving-me-crazy

Gary Knox

[mrgraybeard]

FCP Euro has this seal for $2.95. https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/54...7&t=5&b=5&d=70

As for fluid, I've used Pennzoil MVATF, Amsoil, Eneos and most recently Fuchs Titan 3353 fluid in my black-label 5hp30. OE Shell fluid is NLA. I usually add some Lubegard Red atf additive to increase friction modifier content. My transmission has run with aftermarket fluid in it for 210,000 miles.

To install new seals, I cut two short lengths of plastic beverage straws, slit them up the sides and fit one piece inside the other to create an expandable plastic sleeve. I fit the sleeve over the threaded end of the selector shaft as well as the shoulder at the base of the threaded part -- that's where I wrecked a seal the first time I tried to install it. Seals installed without drama with help from the improvised sleeve.