DCT lower pan gasket leak out of warranty

Rassilon · 05-28-2015, 02:07 AM

Hi guys,

I am curious how much does it generally cost to fix DCT lower pan gasket leak problems in indy shops. The car is 2011 with 51k miles and out of warranty. When I talked to the SA, he recommended to replace the gasket, the pan and the side seals, which amount to 2.8k out of pocket. =S Is replacing side seals necessary and lower pan necessary?

Thanks,

Edward

islandguy19 · 05-28-2015, 02:27 AM

Had this done for the lower pan last year around 64k on my 08 E92 M3. My indy shop which is well-known and respected for their work on M's charged me about 700 for parts and 500 for labor. $1200 altogether.

My shop took a look at her a few weeks ago and noticed a very minor leak from the side pan but said to just keep an eye on it. Unless there are no obvious issues with your side pan, just get the lower pan replaced.

Rassilon · 05-28-2015, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islandguy19

Had this done for the lower pan last year around 64k on my 08 E92 M3. My indy shop which is well-known and respected for their work on M's charged me about 700 for parts and 500 for labor. $1200 altogether.

My shop took a look at her a few weeks ago and noticed a very minor leak from the side pan but said to just keep an eye on it. Unless there are no obvious issues with your side pan, just get the lower pan replaced.

Thank you for the reply. Do you remember if they replaced both the lower pan and gasket or only the lower gasket?

For the minor side pan leak, have it deteriorated in the past year?

rantarM3 · 05-28-2015, 12:11 PM

I had my lower pan/gasket and side gasket replaced under warranty. Generally, you'd want to replace the side gasket if it's leaking but depending who you talk to, they may need to lower the transmission. Also, all of the fasteners are torque-to-yield so they have to be replaced along with the gaskets. Add the cost of new DCT fluid, and the repair gets quite expensive. The dealer told me that my repair would have cost around $2K had I needed to pay out of pocket.

islandguy19 · 05-28-2015, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwardgtxy

Quote:

Originally Posted by islandguy19

Had this done for the lower pan last year around 64k on my 08 E92 M3. My indy shop which is well-known and respected for their work on M's charged me about 700 for parts and 500 for labor. $1200 altogether.

My shop took a look at her a few weeks ago and noticed a very minor leak from the side pan but said to just keep an eye on it. Unless there are no obvious issues with your side pan, just get the lower pan replaced.

Thank you for the reply. Do you remember if they replaced both the lower pan and gasket or only the lower gasket?

For the minor side pan leak, have it deteriorated in the past year?

Both were changed. I believe it came as a kit, but not sure.

The side pan showed some minor leaking a few weeks ago which they didn't notice when they had replaced the lower pan and gasket. They deemed it minor so as to not require repair/replacement. They recommended to just keep an eye on it.

azndrunk74 · 05-28-2015, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islandguy19

Had this done for the lower pan last year around 64k on my 08 E92 M3. My indy shop which is well-known and respected for their work on M's charged me about 700 for parts and 500 for labor. $1200 altogether.

My shop took a look at her a few weeks ago and noticed a very minor leak from the side pan but said to just keep an eye on it. Unless there are no obvious issues with your side pan, just get the lower pan replaced.

Which shop do you go to? Curious since I'm in the bay area as well. Thanks!

islandguy19 · 05-28-2015, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azndrunk74

Quote:

Originally Posted by islandguy19

Had this done for the lower pan last year around 64k on my 08 E92 M3. My indy shop which is well-known and respected for their work on M's charged me about 700 for parts and 500 for labor. $1200 altogether.

My shop took a look at her a few weeks ago and noticed a very minor leak from the side pan but said to just keep an eye on it. Unless there are no obvious issues with your side pan, just get the lower pan replaced.

Which shop do you go to? Curious since I'm in the bay area as well. Thanks!

EDGE Motorworks in Dublin. Recently relocated. They're close to Performance Technic which is also top-notch.

azndrunk74 · 05-28-2015, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islandguy19

EDGE Motorworks in Dublin. Recently relocated. They're close to Performance Technic which is also top-notch.

awesome. thanks for the info!

///M Power-Belgium · 05-28-2015, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islandguy19

Both were changed. I believe it came as a kit, but not sure.

The side pan showed some minor leaking a few weeks ago which they didn't notice when they had replaced the lower pan and gasket. They deemed it minor so as to not require repair/replacement. They recommended to just keep an eye on it.

Yes It's a complete kit , new pan with new bolts ,sealings ,filters ,the Pentosin ect...

Rassilon · 05-28-2015, 05:09 PM

So I guess there's no easy way from this. Its either lower pan and gasket only for 1k or with side gasket for 2k+.

w0ady · 05-28-2015, 07:53 PM

Are you sure it is just the lower pan gasket? My indie shop was able to replace both for about $1200 as well. They did not have to drop the entire trans which is what cut costs down. I would look around your area for a shop familiar with M3's before going to the dealer. If one is leaking, I would recommend doing both just to be safe.

redpriest · 05-28-2015, 08:24 PM

I had this done and I was just out of warranty too when it happened. I had the repair covered under goodwill, though - I called up BMW USA and had it taken care of within a couple days. Was done by the dealership at no cost to me.

islandguy19 · 05-29-2015, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwardgtxy

So I guess there's no easy way from this. Its either lower pan and gasket only for 1k or with side gasket for 2k+.

Just got a reply from my shop. They said $380 for parts and labor for the side gasket. Side pan doesn't need to be replaced. So around $1200 for lower pan and gasket and $380 for side gasket.

BzsBimmer · 05-29-2015, 02:18 PM

Wow thats a lot for just the lower pan since that does not require dropping the trans.
The side does need the trans dropped and while youre there, should just replace the top as well.

Charlie@McKennaBMWService · 06-06-2015, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwardgtxy

Hi guys,

I am curious how much does it generally cost to fix DCT lower pan gasket leak problems in indy shops. The car is 2011 with 51k miles and out of warranty. When I talked to the SA, he recommended to replace the gasket, the pan and the side seals, which amount to 2.8k out of pocket. =S Is replacing side seals necessary and lower pan necessary?

Thanks,

Edward

What's the in service date on your vehicle? Technically speaking even if your vehicle was nearly a year out of warranty and no more than 10k miles over your warranty period your vehicle still qualifies for what's called factory assisted "goodwill" warranty, however you just have talk to your SA about that.

Helmsman · 06-07-2015, 09:24 AM

Agree, as this very clearly is a design failure my opinion is that BMW should pick up the bill. They have passed the stage since looong when they could claim the DCT leak is anything else but a mistake on their side.

Good luck OP.

Ps. Mine was done at 20k miles, some even earlier so again clearly a failure.

Rassilon · 06-07-2015, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie@McKennaBMWService

What's the in service date on your vehicle? Technically speaking even if your vehicle was nearly a year out of warranty and no more than 10k miles over your warranty period your vehicle still qualifies for what's called factory assisted "goodwill" warranty, however you just have talk to your SA about that.

Mine is 900 miles out of warranty and 2 months till its 4th birthday. How likely do you think the local dealer will goodwill the repair? I have never done it before and not sure how it's usually done?

Rassilon · 06-07-2015, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Agree, as this very clearly is a design failure my opinion is that BMW should pick up the bill. They have passed the stage since looong when they could claim the DCT leak is anything else but a mistake on their side.

Good luck OP.

Ps. Mine was done at 20k miles, some even earlier so again clearly a failure.

Thank you. I will talk to them on Monday about the repair. Fingers crossed.

Helmsman · 06-07-2015, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwardgtxy

Thank you. I will talk to them on Monday about the repair. Fingers crossed.

Final point Edward; Once the seal/pan is sorted, double check that they fill with the correct fluid (there is only ONE approved). The guys filled mine with manual fluid which ended up with a new gear box... obviously on their account.

Cheers

Rassilon · 06-07-2015, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Final point Edward; Once the seal/pan is sorted, double check that they fill with the correct fluid (there is only ONE approved). The guys filled mine with manual fluid which ended up with a new gear box... obviously on their account.

Cheers

Got it. Also for the fluid replacement, it seems they won't be replacing all the fluid. Is that normal/good?

Helmsman · 06-08-2015, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwardgtxy

Got it. Also for the fluid replacement, it seems they won't be replacing all the fluid. Is that normal/good?

Its suppose to be a "life time" fluid which obviously nothing is. At 51k miles I would push to have all replaced, about 9.5 liters in total. There are pictures on fluid in various stages, some brownisch while it should be clear so yes they "worn" assumingly with hard drive/clutch slip.

Cheers

Charlie@McKennaBMWService · 06-08-2015, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwardgtxy

Mine is 900 miles out of warranty and 2 months till its 4th birthday. How likely do you think the local dealer will goodwill the repair? I have never done it before and not sure how it's usually done?

Depends on how knowledgeable your SA is... For any vehicle that may be outta warranty by miles(under 10k from 50k mark), but still under by time can still qualify for 100% factory coverage. Talk to your SA about that

05-28-2015, 02:07 AM	#1
Rassilon First Lieutenant 102 Rep 329 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 m3 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	DCT lower pan gasket leak out of warranty Hi guys, I am curious how much does it generally cost to fix DCT lower pan gasket leak problems in indy shops. The car is 2011 with 51k miles and out of warranty. When I talked to the SA, he recommended to replace the gasket, the pan and the side seals, which amount to 2.8k out of pocket. =S Is replacing side seals necessary and lower pan necessary? Thanks, Edward
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05-28-2015, 02:27 AM	#2
islandguy19 First Lieutenant 67 Rep 376 Posts Drives: 08 E92 AW M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Francisco Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [0.00]	Had this done for the lower pan last year around 64k on my 08 E92 M3. My indy shop which is well-known and respected for their work on M's charged me about 700 for parts and 500 for labor. $1200 altogether. My shop took a look at her a few weeks ago and noticed a very minor leak from the side pan but said to just keep an eye on it. Unless there are no obvious issues with your side pan, just get the lower pan replaced. __________________
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05-28-2015, 12:11 PM	#4
rantarM3 Captain 247 Rep 756 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Florida iTrader: (3)	I had my lower pan/gasket and side gasket replaced under warranty. Generally, you'd want to replace the side gasket if it's leaking but depending who you talk to, they may need to lower the transmission. Also, all of the fasteners are torque-to-yield so they have to be replaced along with the gaskets. Add the cost of new DCT fluid, and the repair gets quite expensive. The dealer told me that my repair would have cost around $2K had I needed to pay out of pocket.
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05-28-2015, 05:09 PM	#10
Rassilon First Lieutenant 102 Rep 329 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 m3 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	So I guess there's no easy way from this. Its either lower pan and gasket only for 1k or with side gasket for 2k+.
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05-28-2015, 07:53 PM	#11
w0ady Lieutenant 78 Rep 455 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Are you sure it is just the lower pan gasket? My indie shop was able to replace both for about $1200 as well. They did not have to drop the entire trans which is what cut costs down. I would look around your area for a shop familiar with M3's before going to the dealer. If one is leaking, I would recommend doing both just to be safe. __________________ 2008 Sparkling Graphite E92 M3 DCT SOLD www.flatoutmotorsports.us (We host track events in the Southeast)
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05-28-2015, 08:24 PM	#12
redpriest Colonel 2185 Rep 2,531 Posts Drives: 2011 M3/Porsche 992 GT3RS Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 Porsche 911 GT3RS [0.00] 2021 Porsche 718 Sp ... [0.00] 2021 Mazda Miata MX-5 [0.00] 2006 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [10.00]	I had this done and I was just out of warranty too when it happened. I had the repair covered under goodwill, though - I called up BMW USA and had it taken care of within a couple days. Was done by the dealership at no cost to me.
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05-29-2015, 02:18 PM	#14
BzsBimmer Major General 3858 Rep 7,115 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3 & '23 G05 X5 M50 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (33)	Wow thats a lot for just the lower pan since that does not require dropping the trans. The side does need the trans dropped and while youre there, should just replace the top as well.
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06-07-2015, 09:24 AM	#16
Helmsman Major General 5484 Rep 7,657 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Agree, as this very clearly is a design failure my opinion is that BMW should pick up the bill. They have passed the stage since looong when they could claim the DCT leak is anything else but a mistake on their side. Good luck OP. Ps. Mine was done at 20k miles, some even earlier so again clearly a failure.
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