DIY: Changing M-DCT Fluid

Porschefile wrote

As OP said above, the fill hole is the bolt with the white paint marking alignment with the trans, shown in the last pic in the original post.

I've added a red box to make it clearer

klammer wrote

Thank you so much for this. Am planning on doing this during the winter as my car is beat pretty hard:respect:

Let me know if you need help... I am local now

STICKY!

rzm3 wrote

BMW lists the 'initial fill' at 7.8 liters. But when you do an oil change, not all the fluid drains out, so only about 5 liters/quarts can be added. I've performed this on two cars and had one checked by BMW to verify that the fluid level is correct.

How does the dealer verify the fluid level?

Same as step 7. They are able to more accurately read the transmission temp. via their computer.

Would the transmission temp differ much if the fluid were low?

I was hoping I wouldn't need a pyrometer if the car was completely cold. Pricey fluid though. With the car getting older, maybe we can have some local tech days in the future. The 20L bottle should be able to cover at least 3 cars....making it pretty economical.

It's interesting that a quick google search shows of a few selections of fluid for the evo x sst transmission. I'm guessing if BMW didn't make it a lifetime fluid, we'd have some good threads/selection on the subject as well.

Does everyone also change the DCT transmission filter?

Part#
28-10-7-842-840

Figured I might as well do this too.

One minor thing I'd suggest is opening the fill plug first. You might end up with a slight mess, but that ensures you'll be able to refill your fluid.

It would suck to drain it and then find for some reason your fill plug is stuck.

Has anyone used Fuchs Titan DCTF??
It looks like it's recommended for BMWs, although they list it as Drivelogic 7 Speed, as well as the Mitsu TC-SST which seems to take the same fluid.

It's almost too cheap, which is why I ask.
5L for $80, that's $16/L, less than half what I can get the Pentosin for.
http://www.generaloils.net/PI_TITAN-DCTF_e.pdf

is there any bleeding of any lines involved?

FifthStreetz wrote

is there any bleeding of any lines involved?

Not that I've heard, just the holding the rpm at 2000 and then checking the level again and topping up if necessary.

tdott wrote

Not that I've heard, just the holding the rpm at 2000 and then checking the level again and topping up if necessary.

According to the DIY on the forum

step 1: Drain fluid (good idea to loosen the fill plug first)
step 2: fill fluid until it starts to come out, tighten and start the car rev and hold at 2k for a bit
step 3: fill fluid again until it comes out and your done!

tdott wrote

Has anyone used Fuchs Titan DCTF??
It looks like it's recommended for BMWs, although they list it as Drivelogic 7 Speed, as well as the Mitsu TC-SST which seems to take the same fluid.

It's almost too cheap, which is why I ask.
5L for $80, that's $16/L, less than half what I can get the Pentosin for.
http://www.generaloils.net/PI_TITAN-DCTF_e.pdf

Any thoughts on this stuff?

FifthStreetz wrote

is there any bleeding of any lines involved?

Nope. It's just like changing engine oil.

Changed mine this past weekend. Didn't have any issues just wanted to change it, everything feels the same no negative effects (seems like i didn't screw it up).

Old vs. New

MDCTFTW wrote

STICKY!

+1

At what point did you do this? Mileage and age of the fluid? Maybe I missed it.

SpaceFox wrote

+1

At what point did you do this? Mileage and age of the fluid? Maybe I missed it.

There is no defined interval from BMW, they will claim it's a lifetime fluid. The one you see above was done at 75k.

ECS recommends every 40k for some reason. They have a kit here: http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-M3-S65_4.0L/Drivetrain/DCT_Transmission/ES2677651/

Have mine done preventive at 50,000 km(31,068 miles) by my BMW dealer !
But only with the best DCT fluid and recommended by BMW .
The OP part nr of the DCT fluid is ok for the US,in Europe we have other part nr but the fluid is the same ,brand name is Pentosin FFL-4 ,this DCT fluid is also used by Porsche and is actualy the best fluid for our DCT
But one thing i know is.....Pentosin is $$$
When i get another 30 K miles i do the same thing...DCT fluid change !
Links to Pentosin...........
http://www.oilprofi.by/netcat_files/userfiles/Techlisty/Pentosin%20FFL-4_V6_GB_.pdf
http://www.crpindustries.com/pentosin/specsheets/Pentosin_FFL-4.pdf
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-gear-oil-ffl4

tdott wrote

Changed mine this past weekend. Didn't have any issues just wanted to change it, everything feels the same no negative effects (seems like i didn't screw it up).

Old vs. New

how many bottles did you need to do the fluid change? I',m planning on doing it soon.

I wonder if you can disconnect the feed and return lines from the cooler in the bumper. Just put the feed line into a drain pan and put the return line in a big container of DCT fluid. The DCT pump should dump the old fluid out as it goes to the cooler and then pump in new fluid from the return line. Then you'd probably need to add some more afterwards to account for the volume in the cooler.

That would be really easy.

tmntmn wrote

how many bottles did you need to do the fluid change? I',m planning on doing it soon.

I used just over 5 liters, I bought 6L and it was enough.

tdott wrote

I used just over 5 liters, I bought 6L and it was enough.

Pentosin FFL-4 are the same as if we buy it from the dealer right?