Mechatronics sealing sleeve leaking, a few questions

Cmassey3 · 08-11-2020, 01:28 PM

Hey all,

I just had my 76k mi '08 E92 M3 serviced for rod bearings and the indie shop let me know that DCT is leaking from the mechatronics sealing sleeve. They said it's not an emergency, but to get it serviced soon. I was planning on doing a few trips here and there and having the service done in October.

Is this a safe plan? I'm not sure what the potential fallout would be, maybe a grenaded DCT? I've seen on the forum here that DCT leaks are common, have there been any aftermarket solutions for it?

They also gave me a quote for a transmission reseal, totaling $2,306, does that seem fair?

Thanks for any insights and help.

Space Fox · 08-12-2020, 07:49 AM

Oof that's steep! You should be fine running around through October. As you stated, DCT weeping/leaks are common. Unless you start to see pooling fluid under the car I don't think you have much to worry about. There is a DIY for this repair - unfortunately not an 'aftermarket solution' per se as I believe you just replace the OEM seal with a fresh one. The DIY does seem to be a pain but for $2,000 I would give it a shot.

Cmassey3 · 08-12-2020, 08:02 AM

Thanks for the tips, is there a way to keep the fluid topped off or is the DCT one of those "lifetime" sealed deals?

Tut4u2 · 08-12-2020, 09:41 AM

You can top off the DCT; there's a solid DIY in the DIY section or you can use TIS. If it is the sleeve that's leaking then I hope that quote involve dropping the trans to do it. I know someone previously mentioned that they were able to replace theirs by tilting the trans back, but its going to be very tight: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1697657

M43S7RO · 08-12-2020, 12:36 PM

I would not pay anyone to replace gaskets/seals with factory parts unless they could give me some reasonable assurance that it would not leak again.

I dont think I've ever read of anyone saying their dct was leak free.

Topping it off is not difficult.

Slon makes a bottom pan and side pan that seal with gasket maker. I have the bottom pan and it is leak free but my side pan weeps a small amount as well. My plan is to replace that at some point when it makes sense to do with other work such as rod bearings.

There are a few vendors selling replacement bottom pans and even a viton gasket ($$$) that is supposed to seal better. Dont think I've seen feedback on that.

Cmassey3 · 08-12-2020, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M43S7RO

I would not pay anyone to replace gaskets/seals with factory parts unless they could give me some reasonable assurance that it would not leak again.

I dont think I've ever read of anyone saying their dct was leak free.

Topping it off is not difficult.

Slon makes a bottom pan and side pan that seal with gasket maker. I have the bottom pan and it is leak free but my side pan weeps a small amount as well. My plan is to replace that at some point when it makes sense to do with other work such as rod bearings.

There are a few vendors selling replacement bottom pans and even a viton gasket ($$$) that is supposed to seal better. Dont think I've seen feedback on that.

So is it better to maintain my leaking DCT and top off and replace with higher quality parts maybe in a year or two?

hotbmwfan · 08-12-2020, 01:55 PM

Had the same issue last week. Had my car at the dealer for an oil change and they identified a leaking sealing sleeve. I knew something was leaking as they told me last year that the pan was also leaking. I tried to put off fixing it for as long as possible. Since they had the transmission out, I decided to get the sleeve, bottom and side pans all replaced and re-sealed. Total cost including parts was $2,600US. Just picked it up today. Nice to know that there is a 2 year warranty on these parts now.

Cmassey3 · 08-12-2020, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotbmwfan

Had the same issue last week. Had my car at the dealer for an oil change and they identified a leaking sealing sleeve. I knew something was leaking as they told me last year that the pan was also leaking. I tried to put off fixing it for as long as possible. Since they had the transmission out, I decided to get the sleeve, bottom and side pans all replaced and re-sealed. Total cost including parts was $2,600US. Just picked it up today. Nice to know that there is a 2 year warranty on these parts now.

If it's serviced by a dealer, do they have a stronger warranty on the parts?

hotbmwfan · 08-13-2020, 02:05 PM

If done at a dealer, the repairs are covered for 2 years (parts and labor)

deansbimmer · 08-14-2020, 08:41 PM

$2000+ is a very normal price for a full DCT service and reseal. You have to pull the transmission to replace the mechatronics sleeve ring. A proper service at this level would also include new filters and fluid.

A 2yr warranty is very strong. It's what my shop offers. When installed properly, OEM parts seem to yield the longest leak free system. I've seen a couple of Slon and other aluminum pans that are already leaking. If I'm at risk of having to redo my work to reseal a DCT under warranty, I'm using OEM parts.

Lots of people assume an aftermarket part must be better, but that's not always the case.

08-11-2020, 01:28 PM	#1
Cmassey3 Second Lieutenant 411 Rep 291 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW M3 Join Date: May 2020 Location: Raleigh NC iTrader: (0)	Mechatronics sealing sleeve leaking, a few questions Hey all, I just had my 76k mi '08 E92 M3 serviced for rod bearings and the indie shop let me know that DCT is leaking from the mechatronics sealing sleeve. They said it's not an emergency, but to get it serviced soon. I was planning on doing a few trips here and there and having the service done in October. Is this a safe plan? I'm not sure what the potential fallout would be, maybe a grenaded DCT? I've seen on the forum here that DCT leaks are common, have there been any aftermarket solutions for it? They also gave me a quote for a transmission reseal, totaling $2,306, does that seem fair? Thanks for any insights and help.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

08-12-2020, 07:49 AM	#2
Space Fox Captain 1042 Rep 634 Posts Drives: 2012 Space Grey e92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW M3 ZCP [0.00]	Oof that's steep! You should be fine running around through October. As you stated, DCT weeping/leaks are common. Unless you start to see pooling fluid under the car I don't think you have much to worry about. There is a DIY for this repair - unfortunately not an 'aftermarket solution' per se as I believe you just replace the OEM seal with a fresh one. The DIY does seem to be a pain but for $2,000 I would give it a shot. __________________ Instagram: spacefox_m3 Build Thread: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=26372099
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-12-2020, 08:02 AM	#3
Cmassey3 Second Lieutenant 411 Rep 291 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW M3 Join Date: May 2020 Location: Raleigh NC iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the tips, is there a way to keep the fluid topped off or is the DCT one of those "lifetime" sealed deals?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-12-2020, 09:41 AM	#4
Tut4u2 Second Lieutenant 235 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 1M3 Conversion Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (2)	You can top off the DCT; there's a solid DIY in the DIY section or you can use TIS. If it is the sleeve that's leaking then I hope that quote involve dropping the trans to do it. I know someone previously mentioned that they were able to replace theirs by tilting the trans back, but its going to be very tight: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1697657
	Appreciate 1 Cmassey3410.50 Quote

08-12-2020, 12:36 PM	#5
M43S7RO Major 502 Rep 1,055 Posts Drives: Jerez Black E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Peoria, AZ iTrader: (13)	I would not pay anyone to replace gaskets/seals with factory parts unless they could give me some reasonable assurance that it would not leak again. I dont think I've ever read of anyone saying their dct was leak free. Topping it off is not difficult. Slon makes a bottom pan and side pan that seal with gasket maker. I have the bottom pan and it is leak free but my side pan weeps a small amount as well. My plan is to replace that at some point when it makes sense to do with other work such as rod bearings. There are a few vendors selling replacement bottom pans and even a viton gasket ($$$) that is supposed to seal better. Dont think I've seen feedback on that. Last edited by M43S7RO; 08-12-2020 at 12:45 PM..
	Appreciate 1 Cmassey3410.50 Quote

08-12-2020, 01:55 PM	#7
hotbmwfan Second Lieutenant 108 Rep 201 Posts Drives: 2010 e92 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (1)	Had the same issue last week. Had my car at the dealer for an oil change and they identified a leaking sealing sleeve. I knew something was leaking as they told me last year that the pan was also leaking. I tried to put off fixing it for as long as possible. Since they had the transmission out, I decided to get the sleeve, bottom and side pans all replaced and re-sealed. Total cost including parts was $2,600US. Just picked it up today. Nice to know that there is a 2 year warranty on these parts now. __________________ 2010 M3 "Edition" model - Monte Carlo Blue/black, (1 of 13) MODS;255/35/19 and 285/30/19 Michelin PSS, Volk G25 wheels, MC V2 GTS lip, Eventuri plenum/intake/airbox lid, M Performance exhaust/spoiler/steering wheel
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-13-2020, 02:05 PM	#9
hotbmwfan Second Lieutenant 108 Rep 201 Posts Drives: 2010 e92 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (1)	If done at a dealer, the repairs are covered for 2 years (parts and labor) __________________ 2010 M3 "Edition" model - Monte Carlo Blue/black, (1 of 13) MODS;255/35/19 and 285/30/19 Michelin PSS, Volk G25 wheels, MC V2 GTS lip, Eventuri plenum/intake/airbox lid, M Performance exhaust/spoiler/steering wheel
	Appreciate 1 Cmassey3410.50 Quote

08-14-2020, 08:41 PM	#10
deansbimmer BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 3749 Rep 2,907 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: DFW, Texas iTrader: (17) Garage List 1988 BMW M3 [0.00] 2013 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 X5M [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	$2000+ is a very normal price for a full DCT service and reseal. You have to pull the transmission to replace the mechatronics sleeve ring. A proper service at this level would also include new filters and fluid. A 2yr warranty is very strong. It's what my shop offers. When installed properly, OEM parts seem to yield the longest leak free system. I've seen a couple of Slon and other aluminum pans that are already leaking. If I'm at risk of having to redo my work to reseal a DCT under warranty, I'm using OEM parts. Lots of people assume an aftermarket part must be better, but that's not always the case.
	Appreciate 2 romero1990172.50 Cmassey3410.50 Quote