DIY: 6MT Transmission Oil Change

[simpleM3]

thought so, thanks.

[AJMartin0321]

This DIY was very helpful, thank you. I purchased the car this month with 60K miles on it, and the shifter was incredibly notchy. I figured I would replace the oil, transmission fluid, and differential fluid just to get a fresh start. Upon draining the transmission this morning, I got less than 1 quart of black liquid out. The bottom of the transmission was very clean, with absolutely no sign of leakage. Upon refilling, it took a little over 2 quarts of fresh Redline MTL. Since the change, shifts have been significantly smoother. Fingers crossed no real damage was done.

[dnoble37]

I followed this DIY today, thanks for the info. A few notes:
When I initially popped out the fill plug, I had fluid come out. So when I refilled the trans, I didn't wait for the refill overflow to stop draining. I stuck the fill plug back in while there was still excess new fluid spilling out.

Also, the more important question. My fluid strainer plug mesh had a single 'rogue' strand that got me wondering if it's okay to reuse. I didn't order a replacement... so I just stuck the one I had back in. It's one strand and it's connected at both ends. I took a few different angle pics. What you guys think?

[M3amigos]

Just changed my tranny fluid at 101k with redline d4 atf. Ordered 3 qts and new fill plugs from ecs for just over $50. Picked up a fluid transfer pump at harbor freight for $5 as well as a new set of (approx 10) hex sockets for $14. Install went smoothly, tranny seems to be shifting smoother (could be placebo), but I'm very happy with it. Next on the list is a ZHP shift knob!

[ibrahimm3]

My advice to you is use DIS when changing the oil as the oil cooler keeps about 500 ml of fluid . When emptying the oil there is an option in DIS service functions that you activate the pump to empty all the oil so it activates and empties all the oil in the system. Then when adding your new oil you activate it for oil filling and that way you empty your whole system and fill your whole system. 500 ml from 2.5l is not a small quantity so it is better to empty the whole system.

[Down_Shift]

Originally Posted by ibrahimm3

My advice to you is use DIS when changing the oil as the oil cooler keeps about 500 ml of fluid . When emptying the oil there is an option in DIS service functions that you activate the pump to empty all the oil so it activates and empties all the oil in the system. Then when adding your new oil you activate it for oil filling and that way you empty your whole system and fill your whole system. 500 ml from 2.5l is not a small quantity so it is better to empty the whole system.

This. I was wondering about the leftover fluid in the cooler etc

You technically never fill it correctly if you don't pump while filling. Gravity pulls it back down so it never gets "full" or you're just doing busy work if you don't do a complete drain/fill. The "fill until it starts dripping out" applies to when the pump is turning.

Strainer just give it a good blast of brake fluid and wipe clean/dry.

[greekplaya020]

I'm actually going to do my first transmission flush along with differential flush this week. I'm wondering if I should stick to the BMW fluid or use Mobil instead, has anyone used Mobil without any issues?

[R3dliner]

So what's the consensus here about using LT-2 compared to the LT-5?

[delirium330]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

So what's the consensus here about using LT-2 compared to the LT-5?

Just started a separate discussion on that topic here. I think I've resolved to just go with Redline MTL or D4 at half the price and easy to get on Amazon or ECS if I need to bundle an order with new fill/drain bolts.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1404123

[Koach]

Completed the MT fluid swap last weekend with the following observations.
- all four corners jacked at same level
- purchased service kit from FCPEuro that comes with filter and 2 liters of the latest approved fluid FFL-4
- purchased 8mm 3/8" drive socket from AZ
- After much fumbling and disappointment while inputting fluid into my 330xi's transfer case along with the fact that the kit only came with 2 liters I did not want to lose any fluid during the fill process so I acquired 6' clear tubing with a 90deg adapter and used 2"of tube after the adapter to insert in the trans for filling. I snaked the tube from the engine bay, maintaining a downward flow, clamped a small funnel at the upper end and hung it from the hood latch.
- transfer of fluid was perfect, didn't lose a drop other than what overflowed the fill port

hindsight: car is an 08 with 30k miles and record by the previous owner must have gotten lost as the fluid was perfectly clear. Also didn't need the filter...meaning, a couple liters of Redline MTL and new fill/drain plugs would have sufficed at half the price.

Regardless, it's done and you can't put a price on OCD when it's done right!

[Richbot]

Manual trans fluid doesn't take much abuse in a street car, especially when there's a big old external cooler and 8 feet of piping to keep it from getting too hot, it could have been original

Some of the other cars that use this gearbox, without cooling, have a 100k recommended change interval

Mine has looked pretty good every time I've changed it

[monterey]

i just changed mine with oem fluid. shifts much better now but the rattle from the flywheel is much louder now. Reminds me of when i put a lightweight flywheel in my E36 m3.

[Mdriv3r]

Just did the trans fluid change. I just drained it and filled with the RedLine kit from ECS. I was a bit skeptical about only having 2 bottles, but reading this thread actually helped.

The car shifts smoother. I also changed diff fluid with RedLine 75w140 and I added a bit of RedLine friction modifier to avoid clunking. All seems well thus far.

[waldron80]

Questions for the team....

I’ve done this DIY more than once. This time when tightening down the fill plug to 25ftl lbs it kept on going and now it is tight but something stripped. I’m worried to remove and inspect in fear I may not be able to get it back in. When this happens does the transmission block strip or does the fill screw usually strip. I’m hoping its the soft alumimnum fill plugs and that I can just replace it. I’m reusing the fill plug because BMW didn’t have any in.

Thoughts?

[Ngilbe36]

Originally Posted by waldron80

Questions for the team....

I’ve done this DIY more than once. This time when tightening down the fill plug to 25ftl lbs it kept on going and now it is tight but something stripped. I’m worried to remove and inspect in fear I may not be able to get it back in. When this happens does the transmission block strip or does the fill screw usually strip. I’m hoping its the soft alumimnum fill plugs and that I can just replace it. I’m reusing the fill plug because BMW didn’t have any in.

Thoughts?

In my experience, it is very rare that fasteners strip before a threaded insert/part. I know this is not the answer you were hoping to hear. You can try to find the correct size time-sert between now and the next time you do this maintenance.

[vincE92M3]

Thanks for this DIY.

I filled about 2 quarts, drove around for 20 minutes (engine up to operating temp and read engine oil level). Put the car back in jack stands in all four corners, so the car was level. Checked the MTF fluid level and it was still full and dripping out fluid? Is it possible that this want sufficient to run my trans oil cooler?

Also, two of the 10mm bolts holding the transmission cover on had rusted heads and stripped off! My car is in the south and doesn't see snow or salt...

[tombone37]

I don’t have much consternation, but I’m changing my fluid right now for the first time and I got about four liters out. Been through this DIY several times and I’m pretty sure no one experienced this. Car is pretty level and fluid gushed out of the fill port, caught me by surprise. Not sure how the hell they got it in there to begin with.

I’m going to put the ~2.5l in like everyone else and check level again after a short trip, but this got me scratching my head and feeling a bit insecure. 2011 E92 6MT with 35k.

Should anyone see this, any insight before I do what everyone else did and call it a day?

[DavidZ]

Originally Posted by vincE92M3

Thanks for this DIY.

I filled about 2 quarts, drove around for 20 minutes (engine up to operating temp and read engine oil level). Put the car back in jack stands in all four corners, so the car was level. Checked the MTF fluid level and it was still full and dripping out fluid? Is it possible that this want sufficient to run my trans oil cooler?

If you didn't cycle the pump to empty the cooler as much as possible, you probably don't need to top off. Even if you do cycle the pump, the amount of fluid in cooler and lines is probably negligible compared to total volume of fluid in the tranny.

Originally Posted by tombone37

I don’t have much consternation, but I’m changing my fluid right now for the first time and I got about four liters out. Been through this DIY several times and I’m pretty sure no one experienced this. Car is pretty level and fluid gushed out of the fill port, caught me by surprise. Not sure how the hell they got it in there to begin with.

I’m going to put the ~2.5l in like everyone else and check level again after a short trip, but this got me scratching my head and feeling a bit insecure. 2011 E92 6MT with 35k.

Should anyone see this, any insight before I do what everyone else did and call it a day?

No idea how 4 L got in there, unless it was filled with tranny off of car with fill hole facing up, or perhaps there's another place at a higher level than the fill hole where one can add fluid. Maybe the car was laying on its side?
There's no set amount you need to put in - just keep filling until it drips out the fill hole.

[tombone37]

Originally Posted by DavidZ

No idea how 4 L got in there, unless it was filled with tranny off of car with fill hole facing up, or perhaps there's another place at a higher level than the fill hole where one can add fluid. Maybe the car was laying on its side?

There's no set amount you need to put in - just keep filling until it drips out the fill hole.

Thanks, DavidZ.

I got about two liters in and the car feels fine / better than before. I’ll check level again and top off if needed when the fluid cools down. Car has never been apart and this was the first tranny fluid change since the 1200 mile break-in service, so the four liters will remain a mystery.

Appreciate the response.

[shimmy23]

Is there another way to cycle the cooler other using DIS? does Carly have this ability?

[vincE92M3]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

Is there another way to cycle the cooler other using DIS? does Carly have this ability?

Carly does not.

I'm wondering if it's a capability with the Alpine MSS software?

[DavidZ]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

Is there another way to cycle the cooler other using DIS? does Carly have this ability?

I ran my transmission pump with this method. Even if Carly could do it I'd still stick with this method. It's fast and easy.