Time to change transmission fluid?

[HokieZHP]

I've been noticing lately that my 6mt transmission isn't as smooth and crisp as other manuals I've driven. It's kind of tough to engage gears and every now and then I get blocked out of 3rd.

Are these signs that I need to change my transmission fluid? If so what oil do you all recommend?

[danewilson77]

Yes. Either use Redline or RP Synchromax.

Mileage?

[HokieZHP]

Thanks dane. Mileage is 120xxx

[danewilson77]

Thanks dane. Mileage is 120xxx

It's time brutha.

[HokieZHP]

Is it a DIY proejct or do I need a shop to do it?

[Alphatek45]

Very easy, if you can lift your car safely and have a fluid pump of some kind. Plenty of diy's, think madrussian has a good one.

[HokieZHP]

How high does the car need to be lifted? Enough to get under it? I have plenty of jackstands and ramps. Do you think if I put the front wheels on some rhino ramps and jackstands under the rear it would be high enough?

[Alphatek45]

You need to get under the center of the vehicle. You'll want it level as well.

[HokieZHP]

Thanks. Do you happen to have a link to the DIY? I searched here and didn't see it.

[danewilson77]

Thanks. Do you happen to have a link to the DIY? I searched here and didn't see it.

#7

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1830-BMW-E46-ZHP-Preventative-maintenance-Issues-DIY-s

[HokieZHP]

thank you again dane. My lack of sleep last night is clearly evident haha

[danewilson77]

Its alllllll good. Family search approved.

:chuck

[static667]

It will take just over a quart. If you were closer, I'd give you the 7/8 of a quart I have left over.

Rockin' Tapatalk on my rooted Android.

[HokieZHP]

so i just drained my fluid and over 2 qts came out??? I thought it was just over a quart in there? Anyone else had this happen? How much should I put back in?

[danewilson77]

so i just drained my fluid and over 2 qts came out??? I thought it was just over a quart in there? Anyone else had this happen? How much should I put back in?

In your diff? Should be 1.9 litres in tranny.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[HokieZHP]

No in my transmission. The how-to you posted says it takes just over one bottle to fill the chamber. Both bottles together come to 1.9 liters?
Am i missing something?

[kayger12]

No in my transmission. The how-to you posted says it takes just over one bottle to fill the chamber. Both bottles together come to 1.9 liters?
Am i missing something?

Mine took almost two bottles.


Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[HokieZHP]

ok so judging by the 2 qt gatorade bottle i used to catch the oil with a cut off top (it overflowed and I had to use my backup bucket), over 2 qts came out. I was only able to put ~1.7 liters in...

[Marcus-SanDiego]

^^ Proof that there are some magical qualities about this very non-special car.

[HokieZHP]

Very true. I still don't understand it all haha


So is it ok to run it like this? Maybe it was overfilled somehow before since when I first took off the fill plug, fluid SHOT out of the side and filled 2-3" of the gatorade bottle.

[gr330zhp]

My tranny took just under 2 bottles of Redline :dunno

[danewilson77]

Very true. I still don't understand it all haha


So is it ok to run it like this? Maybe it was overfilled somehow before since when I first took off the fill plug, fluid SHOT out of the side and filled 2-3" of the gatorade bottle.

It's ok....as long as you filled until it came out the fill hole. Only putting in 1.7qts...only means you didn't get all of the old stuff out.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[kayger12]

Maybe it was overfilled somehow before since when I first took off the fill plug, fluid SHOT out of the side and filled 2-3" of the gatorade bottle.

This.

When the last owner changed it, he/she probably overfilled. Most likely didn't have the car level.

No worries.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[static667]

Was the transmission warm when you drained it? ATF expands a bit when it's warm and that could explain some of the extra volume. I'm not sure what the factory fill is, but if they recommend to use an ATF, I'm guessing that's what was in there.

[danewilson77]

It will take just over a quart. If you were closer, I'd give you the 7/8 of a quart I have left over.

Rockin' Tapatalk on my rooted Android.

OK...I was just reading through this thread...and some crazy stuff is going on.

I just want to clarify....should someone else do/read this.....that the diff takes about 1qt.....fill until it comes out of fill hole.

And the tranny will take an amount depending on the transmission you have.....

GETRAG 1.1 quarts
ZF 1.3 quarts
S6S420G 1.8 quarts
GS6-37BZ 1.6 quarts


***If you don't know what tranny you have....with the 2 qts you have purchased......fill until fluid comes out of the fill hole...

[Newjack]

OK...I was just reading through this thread...and some crazy stuff is going on.

I just want to clarify....should someone else do/read this.....that the diff takes about 1qt.....fill until it comes out of fill hole.

And the tranny will take an amount depending on the transmission you have.....

GETRAG 1.1 quarts
ZF 1.3 quarts
S6S420G 1.8 quarts
GS6-37BZ 1.6 quarts


***If you don't know what tranny you have....with the 2 qts you have purchased......fill until fluid comes out of the fill hole...

That's what she said.

LG Revolution + Tapatalk

[HokieZHP]

^^haha


Thanks for the clarification DW!