Did I strip my transmission block or the aluminum plug?

waldron80 · 06-09-2018, 03:30 PM

So yeah....Was doing my manual transmission fluid change today...Not my first time. When torqueing down the fill plug to 25 ft-lbs it kept going. I’m paranoid to remove the plug because I fear I may not be able to get it back in. It’s still “kind of” tight. When this kind of thing happens do you typically strip the transmission block or the aluminum fill plug? I’m hoping it’s the soft aluminum fill plug.

Thoughts?

monterey · 06-09-2018, 03:40 PM

I think the ONLY way to know is to remove it and look.

amrazM · 06-10-2018, 09:18 AM

Never go crazy with steel screws into aluminum threads.

waldron80 · 06-10-2018, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amrazM

Never go crazy with steel screws into aluminum threads.

This is actually the opposite which is why I’m hoping I’m ok. The tranny is steel and the screw is aluminum.

deansbimmer · 06-11-2018, 12:38 PM

The transmission housing is aluminum the plug is steel. Make sure you're looking at the correct plug. You'll need to remove it, assess the threads, and reinstall.

nightkrawler · 06-14-2018, 07:58 AM

No, the trans and plug are both aluminum. I had the same problem on my last M3 except the plug actually just about broke in half. Got a new plug and all good. The plug will fail before the case.

Ab28 · 06-14-2018, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waldron80

This is actually the opposite which is why I’m hoping I’m ok. The tranny is steel and the screw is aluminum.

Quote:

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

The transmission housing is aluminum the plug is steel. Make sure you're looking at the correct plug. You'll need to remove it, assess the threads, and reinstall.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightkrawler

No, the trans and plug are both aluminum. I had the same problem on my last M3 except the plug actually just about broke in half. Got a new plug and all good. The plug will fail before the case.

So with almost every variation of steel/aluminum, which one is it?

I thought the housing was aluminum and the plug was steel....i agree with Dean.

dparm · 06-14-2018, 09:13 AM

I would be very surprised if the drain plug is aluminum.

Shrike360 · 06-14-2018, 10:16 AM

It is an aluminum plug. I had this problem, too. My 335i I had no issue with, but I cracked two plugs on my M3 trying to get them to 25 ft-lbs. I ended up going off of by hand feel to get one in, and tightened to about where I felt the limit was. No clue why I had this problem. My Dad did the fluid on his car recently, too. He had the exact same problem.

3Pedals_6Speeds · 06-14-2018, 10:32 AM

You own a magnet? You could easily figure out what you've got if you do.

06-09-2018, 03:30 PM	#1
waldron80 Private First Class 32 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 08 e90 M3 6MT Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Did I strip my transmission block or the aluminum plug? So yeah....Was doing my manual transmission fluid change today...Not my first time. When torqueing down the fill plug to 25 ft-lbs it kept going. I’m paranoid to remove the plug because I fear I may not be able to get it back in. It’s still “kind of” tight. When this kind of thing happens do you typically strip the transmission block or the aluminum fill plug? I’m hoping it’s the soft aluminum fill plug. Thoughts? __________________
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06-09-2018, 03:40 PM	#2
monterey Major 339 Rep 1,239 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: United States iTrader: (1)	I think the ONLY way to know is to remove it and look.
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06-10-2018, 09:18 AM	#3
amrazM mTekMods 2139 Rep 2,899 Posts Drives: like a granny. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Manhatan iTrader: (1)	Never go crazy with steel screws into aluminum threads.
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06-11-2018, 12:38 PM	#5
deansbimmer BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 3749 Rep 2,907 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: DFW, Texas iTrader: (17) Garage List 1988 BMW M3 [0.00] 2013 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 X5M [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	The transmission housing is aluminum the plug is steel. Make sure you're looking at the correct plug. You'll need to remove it, assess the threads, and reinstall.
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06-14-2018, 07:58 AM	#6
nightkrawler Enlisted Member 13 Rep 49 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	No, the trans and plug are both aluminum. I had the same problem on my last M3 except the plug actually just about broke in half. Got a new plug and all good. The plug will fail before the case.
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06-14-2018, 09:13 AM	#8
dparm Stop the hate, get a V8 3850 Rep 8,625 Posts Drives: C7 Corvette GS, AMG C63 S Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Frisco, TX iTrader: (1)	I would be very surprised if the drain plug is aluminum. __________________ Now: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport, 2021 AMG C63 S sedan Past: 2011.5 M3 sedan ZCP
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06-14-2018, 10:16 AM	#9
Shrike360 Lieutenant 476 Rep 482 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 M3, 2011 Porsche CTT Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: PDX, Oregon iTrader: (0)	It is an aluminum plug. I had this problem, too. My 335i I had no issue with, but I cracked two plugs on my M3 trying to get them to 25 ft-lbs. I ended up going off of by hand feel to get one in, and tightened to about where I felt the limit was. No clue why I had this problem. My Dad did the fluid on his car recently, too. He had the exact same problem.
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06-14-2018, 10:32 AM	#10
3Pedals_6Speeds Second Lieutenant 118 Rep 206 Posts Drives: F10 535 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Michigan, USA iTrader: (0)	You own a magnet? You could easily figure out what you've got if you do. __________________ Former: E21, E63, Current: F10, E93 M3. Drive fast, take chances.
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