BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92) - View Single Post - Blackstone wants a sample of the DCT fluid

rantarM3 · 02-27-2012, 11:42 AM

The following was posted on http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=442369. I personally am very hesitant to try and change the DCT fluid because of the possibility of doing more harm than good. But on the other hand, I also hesitate to believe that the fluid is "lifetime" fill. It seems no one wants to be the guinea pig on this one.

DCT fluid change

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After a long debate on whether or not to change the "longlife" fluid in the transmission the conclusion was that it is not necessary and in fact it can lead to fealure. If you are on the conservative side (I am) wait at least until you have passed 80.000km and change both fluid (Pentosin FFL4 - BMW DCTF-1) and the "pan" of the carter of the transmission where the filter is located. Yes, both are expensive. In case you try to change the fluid only you probably won't be able to get more than 5lt of the total 9,5lt capacity of the transmission out as there are several components which don't give access like the dct-oil cooler for example. Plus there is always the danger of air leaking into the system and then it's adios'. Official dealers under BMWNA refuse to undertake this operation even upon customers request.
For those interested find attached a bulletin for the M3 transmission

SI B28 03 08
Double-Clutch Transmission with Drivelogic July 2008
Technical Service

SUBJECT
M Double-Clutch Transmission with Drivelogic - Transmission Filling and Fluid Level Checking Procedure
MODEL
E90, E92, E93 M3 with S65 and M DCT transmission
SITUATION
The current version of BMW TIS does not contain the M DCT (GS7D36SG) transmission fluid filling (fluid checking) procedure. Use the following procedure when the M DCT fluid fill (check) is required.
Important:
The M Double-Clutch Transmission (DCT) requires a special lubricant/hydraulic fluid: DCTF-1 Pentosin (P/N 83 22 2 147 477). This fluid is specific to the double-clutch transmission and should not be substituted with any other product.
Substituting the DCTF-1 Pentosin in M Double-Clutch Transmission (GS7D36SG) may cause significant damage to the internal clutches of the transmission assembly, requiring replacement of the complete gearbox, transmission oil cooler, and cooler lines.
The BMW DCTF-1 Pentosin fluid does not require regular service. It is an extended-life type of fluid and should not be replaced. Currently the fluid is in extremely short supply, and can be obtained only after a PuMA case is submitted to TeileClearing (Enhanced Technical Support). Refer to SI B28 02 08 (May 2008) for more information related to M DCT TeileClearing.
1. The vehicle needs to be leveled and secured on the appropriate workshop lift. Connect the vehicle to the DIS/GT1 loaded with the current version of diagnostic software (V53 or higher).

2. Remove the transmission's under-cover to gain access to the refilling plug (1). Make sure that the transmission is at ambient temperature (engine should not be warmed up).
3. Using an Allen M8 wrench, loosen the fluid filling plug (1).
4. For refilling (empty gearbox after repair):
• Remove the filling plug from the transmission housing and refill the transmission with approximately 8 liters of DCTF-1 fluid, until it starts to overflow.
5. For checking the fluid level:
Carefully start removing the filler plug until the DCTF-1 fluid starts to flow.
Do not remove the filler plug completely!!!
With the correct fluid level and the gearbox filler plug removed while the engine is NOT running, approximately 1.5 liters of transmission fluid will escape, leaving the gearbox underfilled. (The total capacity of the DCT transmission with oil cooler and cooler lines is approximately 9.5 liters.)

6. Install the filler plug (do not torque it yet).
7. From the DIS/GT1 diagnosis menu, select
Service Functions, Transmission Controls, Calibrations, and Oil calibration.
8. Start the engine with the DCT gearbox in the P position.
9. Follow the "Oil calibration" test plan by running the engine at 2,000 rpm for 1 minute (reaching the maximum cooler line pressure of 5 bars).
10. Using DIS/GT1, observe the transmission fluid temperature. When it reaches approximately 40° C, open the filler plug again (with the engine running), and top off the fluid level until it starts to overflow.
11. Install the filler plug and torque it to 25 +/- 3 Nm.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
For information only
[ Copyright © 2008 BMW of North America, LLC ]

02-27-2012, 11:42 AM	#8
rantarM3 Captain 205 Rep 729 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Florida iTrader: (3)	The following was posted on http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=442369. I personally am very hesitant to try and change the DCT fluid because of the possibility of doing more harm than good. But on the other hand, I also hesitate to believe that the fluid is "lifetime" fill. It seems no one wants to be the guinea pig on this one. DCT fluid change -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After a long debate on whether or not to change the "longlife" fluid in the transmission the conclusion was that it is not necessary and in fact it can lead to fealure. If you are on the conservative side (I am) wait at least until you have passed 80.000km and change both fluid (Pentosin FFL4 - BMW DCTF-1) and the "pan" of the carter of the transmission where the filter is located. Yes, both are expensive. In case you try to change the fluid only you probably won't be able to get more than 5lt of the total 9,5lt capacity of the transmission out as there are several components which don't give access like the dct-oil cooler for example. Plus there is always the danger of air leaking into the system and then it's adios'. Official dealers under BMWNA refuse to undertake this operation even upon customers request. For those interested find attached a bulletin for the M3 transmission SI B28 03 08 Double-Clutch Transmission with Drivelogic July 2008 Technical Service SUBJECT M Double-Clutch Transmission with Drivelogic - Transmission Filling and Fluid Level Checking Procedure MODEL E90, E92, E93 M3 with S65 and M DCT transmission SITUATION The current version of BMW TIS does not contain the M DCT (GS7D36SG) transmission fluid filling (fluid checking) procedure. Use the following procedure when the M DCT fluid fill (check) is required. Important: The M Double-Clutch Transmission (DCT) requires a special lubricant/hydraulic fluid: DCTF-1 Pentosin (P/N 83 22 2 147 477). This fluid is specific to the double-clutch transmission and should not be substituted with any other product. Substituting the DCTF-1 Pentosin in M Double-Clutch Transmission (GS7D36SG) may cause significant damage to the internal clutches of the transmission assembly, requiring replacement of the complete gearbox, transmission oil cooler, and cooler lines. The BMW DCTF-1 Pentosin fluid does not require regular service. It is an extended-life type of fluid and should not be replaced. Currently the fluid is in extremely short supply, and can be obtained only after a PuMA case is submitted to TeileClearing (Enhanced Technical Support). Refer to SI B28 02 08 (May 2008) for more information related to M DCT TeileClearing. 1. The vehicle needs to be leveled and secured on the appropriate workshop lift. Connect the vehicle to the DIS/GT1 loaded with the current version of diagnostic software (V53 or higher). 2. Remove the transmission's under-cover to gain access to the refilling plug (1). Make sure that the transmission is at ambient temperature (engine should not be warmed up). 3. Using an Allen M8 wrench, loosen the fluid filling plug (1). 4. For refilling (empty gearbox after repair): • Remove the filling plug from the transmission housing and refill the transmission with approximately 8 liters of DCTF-1 fluid, until it starts to overflow. 5. For checking the fluid level: Carefully start removing the filler plug until the DCTF-1 fluid starts to flow. Do not remove the filler plug completely!!! With the correct fluid level and the gearbox filler plug removed while the engine is NOT running, approximately 1.5 liters of transmission fluid will escape, leaving the gearbox underfilled. (The total capacity of the DCT transmission with oil cooler and cooler lines is approximately 9.5 liters.) 6. Install the filler plug (do not torque it yet). 7. From the DIS/GT1 diagnosis menu, select Service Functions, Transmission Controls, Calibrations, and Oil calibration. 8. Start the engine with the DCT gearbox in the P position. 9. Follow the "Oil calibration" test plan by running the engine at 2,000 rpm for 1 minute (reaching the maximum cooler line pressure of 5 bars). 10. Using DIS/GT1, observe the transmission fluid temperature. When it reaches approximately 40° C, open the filler plug again (with the engine running), and top off the fluid level until it starts to overflow. 11. Install the filler plug and torque it to 25 +/- 3 Nm. WARRANTY INFORMATION For information only [ Copyright © 2008 BMW of North America, LLC ]
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