[Big_CG]

As my car has 95k on this, I'm planning on doing the pan change and filter replacement.

Looks like 5L of ZF8 fluid is all anyone can get back in? Any other installation tips besides what was already posted? Is a special fill plug removal tool tool actually needed?

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by Big_CG

As my car has 95k on this, I'm planning on doing the pan change and filter replacement.

Looks like 5L of ZF8 fluid is all anyone can get back in? Any other installation tips besides what was already posted? Is a special fill plug removal tool tool actually needed?

I only used 4.5-5L when I did my ATF change.

You don't need a special fill plug removal tool per se. However, the clearance will be limited so a standard socket will be a tight fit. I used a serpentine belt tool with a socket to have barely enough clearance.

[Sanelko]

Originally Posted by Polo08816

I only used 4.5-5L when I did my ATF change.

You don't need a special fill plug removal tool per se. However, the clearance will be limited so a standard socket will be a tight fit. I used a serpentine belt tool with a socket to have barely enough clearance.

What size head is the hex socket?

[Big_CG]

Originally Posted by Sanelko

What size head is the hex socket?

In for confirmation on the best tool and size for that hex

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by Sanelko

What size head is the hex socket?

Originally Posted by Big_CG

In for confirmation on the best tool and size for that hex

Unfortunately ISTAD is not very specific about it.

[catskillclimber]

Originally Posted by Sanelko

What size head is the hex socket?

my notes have 8mm for the fill plug and 11mm for the drain plug.

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by catskillclimber

my notes have 8mm for the fill plug and 11mm for the drain plug.

That's probably right.

Note: it's an Allen key-style.

[liveevil]

ZF just released a video on replacing the transmission oil.

https://www.facebook.com/zfgroup.glo...6323056076988/

[tgmsocal]

Thanks for the video, awesome that they posted this.

For those who have already done this, I'd greatly appreciate any recommendations for specific tools you used in lieu of the BMW special tools. Sounds like everyone has gotten around it, but would very much appreciate specifics so I can make sure I've got them before I have her up in the air and draining

Edit: Found this - http://www.bavauto.com/b8800025 - look correct?

Thanks,

tgm

[insanecoder]

Originally Posted by tgmsocal

Thanks for the video, awesome that they posted this.

For those who have already done this, I'd greatly appreciate any recommendations for specific tools you used in lieu of the BMW special tools. Sounds like everyone has gotten around it, but would very much appreciate specifics so I can make sure I've got them before I have her up in the air and draining

Edit: Found this - http://www.bavauto.com/b8800025 - look correct?

Thanks,

tgm

The toughest part was:
raising the car completely off the floor via jackstands
the clearance to the fill hex was problematic for my socket wrench
filling/topping the fluid whilst running gave me the jitters as well
The whole process was time consuming and you really need to get it right and BE SAFE
I suggest if you DIY to write out the steps and go over it carefully w/safety in mind

[tgmsocal]

Originally Posted by insanecoder

The toughest part was:
raising the car completely off the floor via 4 jackstands
the clearance to the fill hex was problematic
filling/topping the fluid whilst running gave me the jitters as well
The whole process was time consuming and you really need to get it right and BE SAFE
I suggest if you DIY to write out the steps and go over it carefully w/safety in mind

Thanks for the tips, I'll be doing this on a lift with some friends and following that video and the available PDFs with instructions to a T.

Any insight on if that tool I linked is the right one? Looks like it's designed to fit into the tight space I've heard so much about (I think there's a joke in there somewhere...).

-tgm

[insanecoder]

Originally Posted by tgmsocal

Thanks for the tips, I'll be doing this on a lift with some friends and following that video and the available PDFs with instructions to a T.

Any insight on if that tool I linked is the right one? Looks like it's designed to fit into the tight space I've heard so much about (I think there's a joke in there somewhere...).

-tgm

Our units are likely different mine is 8HP50 the fill plug hex is likely the same but I cant confirm. If you got the specific tool for it it should work.. I had opted to use a hex socket and thus had to deal with the tight clearance issues

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by insanecoder

The toughest part was:
raising the car completely off the floor via jackstands
the clearance to the fill hex was problematic for my socket wrench
filling/topping the fluid whilst running gave me the jitters as well
The whole process was time consuming and you really need to get it right and BE SAFE
I suggest if you DIY to write out the steps and go over it carefully w/safety in mind

It was definitely time consuming. Especially if you have to wait for the car to cool down.

If I had to do it again, I might throw the replacement ATF in the freezer before doing this just to get the transmission temp down.

Far easier to bring the transmission temp up than to wait for it to cool down.

[insanecoder]

I liked the hanz and Franz video there
hope it convinces people that a tranny oil change is necessary if yer the owner for the longterm..
noone has yet convincingly explained to me why the temperatures are so important tho.. coeff of expansion of oil given the differences in temps isnt all that much volume

[etinifni]

Called a couple dealers around here and best price I could find through them for kit is $359 plus fluid (they are saying it takes 8 quarts) and they are saying it's a 4.5 hour job.

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by etinifni

Called a couple dealers around here and best price I could find through them for kit is $359 plus fluid (they are saying it takes 8 quarts) and they are saying it's a 4.5 hour job.

This is the kit I bought:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-24118612901kt

[insanecoder]

Originally Posted by etinifni

Called a couple dealers around here and best price I could find through them for kit is $359 plus fluid (they are saying it takes 8 quarts) and they are saying it's a 4.5 hour job.

It took me 3 hours and it was my first time.. with a proper lift I couldve done it alot sooner

[123Britt]

Originally Posted by Dima1978

Hi, guys! Has anyone heard of an aux trans oil cooler line that gets emptied when oil is dropped. A valve in the cooler opens after 75C is reached; hence, the rumor is we need to go through a normal leveling procedure then drive around( to bring your trans to 75c+) come back for releveling. What do you guys think?

This would indicate that a possible under fill could take place -- therefore, I think it is important to measure all oil drained from the transmission. 4.5-5.5 Liters --- and then expect to fill near the same amount. Making the extra drive around and cool down check unnecessary.

[Magnarocco]

Can folks share update of their car after the atf job with 5L of atf filled? Any problem or issues since the repair/job kit always push for 7-8L?

[jsouth]

As someone who has changed ATF in many cars (but certainly never with a transmission so complex), I'm having trouble understanding why the entire pan must be replaced. I have 75k miles now, and I'd like to change ATF about every 30k or so going forward.

It seems unnecessarily costly to buy a $200-300 kit including pan and 2 extra liters of ATF each time (the kits have 7L; everyone here says they used less than 5).

Has anyone tried this gasket and filter kit and simply reused the pan?
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-vaico-pa...118612901part/

It would certainly lower the cost substantially. I may give it a go unless someone here says DON'T DO IT!

[insanecoder]

Originally Posted by jsouth

As someone who has changed ATF in many cars (but certainly never with a transmission so complex), I'm having trouble understanding why the entire pan must be replaced. I have 75k miles now, and I'd like to change ATF about every 30k or so going forward.

It seems unnecessarily costly to buy a $200-300 kit including pan and 2 extra liters of ATF each time (the kits have 7L; everyone here says they used less than 5).

Has anyone tried this gasket and filter kit and simply reused the pan?
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-vaico-pa...118612901part/

It would certainly lower the cost substantially. I may give it a go unless someone here says DON'T DO IT!

the filter is built-in and should be replaced
when I did mine it was 6-7 qts you dont want to be short at any rate doing this job its a bitch to do so best not to cheap out and have to do it over/again
like I mentioned before in topix on this you wanna list the steps and go over it before and follow it to a T

[Magnarocco]

Originally Posted by insanecoder

the filter is built-in and should be replaced
when I did mine it was 6-7 qts you dont want to be short at any rate doing this job its a bitch to do so best not to cheap out and have to do it over/again
like I mentioned before in topix on this you wanna list the steps and go over it before and follow it to a T

So you did managed to get in 6-7L of ZF8.. your earlier posting give the impression that its about 5 like everyone here cant get more than 5.

I wonder what is the actual capacity and why those ATF kit come with 7-8L? Are they expecting a complete drainage including those fluids inside torque converter?