DCT Leak with lots of pics.

[aus]

I had the dreaded DCT leak and had the bottom pan changed out by BMW a couple years ago. My extended warranty was about to expire so I brought it to AutoTalent and they took a look and determined it was the mechatronic O-ring that was leaking. That's going to require taking the DCT out. They had to convince the extended warranty company of this and it was difficult because this repair is not in their book/data base they use to determine how many hours they will allow to do the job.

You can see the dark area where the DCT fluid was all over the tranny with a small clean area where the fluid was dripping out and keeping that area clean. It drips down the side of the side DCT panel and people think it's the side panel that's leaking. I had already purchased the SLON bottom and side pan but probably didn't need them since both pans were not leaking! They let the DCT drain overnight before applying the Locktite for the SLON pans.

AutoTalent did a power wash before re installation. Pics show before and after the wash and where DCT wires need to be detached before the O-ring can be safely replaced or you may end up pulling on the wires when you change the O-ring.
They had another E92 M3 in the shop for the same repair when I went back last week to pick up some Stoptech pads.
They do excellent work at a fair price.
They also had a car with screwed up bearing work from another shop. They had cases of BE Bearings getting ready to ship out to shops.

.

[Icecreamfoo]

So that was your car, glad to see you were taken car of. Zolti just did the exact same fix on my car last week.

I've been reminding him of this 3rd weak point (in addition to the side and bottom gaskets) on our DCT for a couple years and have asked him check for oil leak dripping off from the tranny top every time I go in. He's heard enough from me about this potential issue I think that's helped a couple DCT diagnostics so far. Admittedly I was very jelly how clean your tranny was cleaned up when he showed me those pics!

The original BMW gaskets used for the side and bottom pans are the other real weak points, I've replaced them with the viton gaskets from SSP Performance and have been very pleased over the years. Highly recommend to anyone looking for long-term fix: https://www.sspperformance.com/bmw-d...t-package.html

[nycplumber]

$400 for two gaskets? Damn lol

[Helmsman]

Had the same leak on my previous box at around 19k miles. Had to come out, cleaned up, leak fixed. Dealer then poored MT fluid in it, had to replace the box, cooler, lines.

[BayE30]

Is there an upgraded O-ring for that problem? i mean trans-out repair sucks, would suck less to only have to do it once.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Had the same leak on my previous box at around 19k miles. Had to come out, cleaned up, leak fixed. Dealer then poored MT fluid in it, had to replace the box, cooler, lines.

Yeah. I still remember your post (thread) BMW f@cked your DCT completely up with MT fluid . And your car was +/- 6-7 weeks @your BMW/Dealer !
I was glad to hear they finally recognized their own mistake ...

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

Is there an upgraded O-ring for that problem? i mean trans-out repair sucks, would suck less to only have to do it once.

Not really any alternatives. It's a "X-Ring", not a standard O-ring. Transmission out service isn't that big a deal. You should pull the trans out even for the side pan service.

[BayE30]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Not really any alternatives. It's a "X-Ring", not a standard O-ring. Transmission out service isn't that big a deal. You should pull the trans out even for the side pan service.

not that bad for a fully equipped shop? or not bad for DIY?

[///Mobbin]

Thanks for sharing and dig the Slon pans even if not needed, they should hold up well over time.

Just posted an SSP viton side gasket for sale if anyone is interested, LINK.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

not that bad for a fully equipped shop? or not bad for DIY?

Yeah.. It would be rough if you're on jackstands in a gravel driveway.

[aus]

Originally Posted by Icecreamfoo

So that was your car, glad to see you were taken car of. Zolti just did the exact same fix on my car last week.

I've been reminding him of this 3rd weak point (in addition to the side and bottom gaskets) on our DCT for a couple years and have asked him check for oil leak dripping off from the tranny top every time I go in. He's heard enough from me about this potential issue I think that's helped a couple DCT diagnostics so far. Admittedly I was very jelly how clean your tranny was cleaned up when he showed me those pics!

It's funny. I saw your car there the following week. Zolti was showing me where my DCT was leaking from.

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Not really any alternatives. It's a "X-Ring", not a standard O-ring. Transmission out service isn't that big a deal. You should pull the trans out even for the side pan service.

How much would that run in your shop? It would have been over $1,000 if I didn't have my extended warranty.
.

[wyatth]

Is this the “common” top leak, or are the hoses a separate leak spot? If my box is being dropped, I’d want to refresh every possible weak link.

[deansbimmer]

Removing and replacing the transmission and replacing that single seal is indeed about $1000 in our shop. We won't suggest doing only that seal however, but replacing the other pans/gaskets, checking/replacing the front seals, and filters/fluid service...A full DCT service.

[vladi627]

Originally Posted by aus

I had the dreaded DCT leak and had the bottom pan changed out by BMW a couple years ago. My extended warranty was about to expire so I brought it to AutoTalent and they took a look and determined it was the mechatronic O-ring that was leaking. That's going to require taking the DCT out. They had to convince the extended warranty company of this and it was difficult because this repair is not in their book/data base they use to determine how many hours they will allow to do the job.

You can see the dark area where the DCT fluid was all over the tranny with a small clean area where the fluid was dripping out and keeping that area clean. It drips down the side of the side DCT panel and people think it's the side panel that's leaking. I had already purchased the SLON bottom and side pan but probably didn't need them since both pans were not leaking! They let the DCT drain overnight before applying the Locktite for the SLON pans.

AutoTalent did a power wash before re installation. Pics show before and after the wash and where DCT wires need to be detached before the O-ring can be safely replaced or you may end up pulling on the wires when you change the O-ring.
They had another E92 M3 in the shop for the same repair when I went back last week to pick up some Stoptech pads.
They do excellent work at a fair price.
They also had a car with screwed up bearing work from another shop. They had cases of BE Bearings getting ready to ship out to shops.

.

Looks good, did you put the transmission cover back on or just leave it off? I put mine back on but not sure if it's affecting cooling since the cover touches the bottom pan at some areas.

[aus]

Originally Posted by wyatth

Is this the “common” top leak, or are the hoses a separate leak spot? If my box is being dropped, I’d want to refresh every possible weak link.

The main tech said that this seal is the common point of leaking. It's not the side or bottom pans that typically leak. I just decided to change them out and hope I don't have to deal with them again.
I just worry it'll leak again since it's been leaking since around 40,000 miles an I'm at 59,000 miles now. The dealer changed the bottom pan initially but it was leaking, so I had it changed again under the extended warranty but it was still leaking so I brought it to these guys and they said it's the top seal.

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Removing and replacing the transmission and replacing that single seal is indeed about $1000 in our shop. We won't suggest doing only that seal however, but replacing the other pans/gaskets, checking/replacing the front seals, and filters/fluid service...A full DCT service.

That's exactly what AutoTalent told me and did for me.

Originally Posted by vladi627

Looks good, did you put the transmission cover back on or just leave it off? I put mine back on but not sure if it's affecting cooling since the cover touches the bottom pan at some areas.

The transmission cover is back on. Didn't want any direct contact with anything on the road but I have the same concerns you have.
.

[Redd]

Is there a part number for the mechatronic o-ring/x-ring on the top of the DCT?

[spammysammich]

Originally Posted by Redd

Is there a part number for the mechatronic o-ring/x-ring on the top of the DCT?

Try this
28607849555

[Redd]

Originally Posted by spammysammich

Try this
28607849555

Much appreciated!