DCT fluid service - this ever happen to you?

[da jemster]

While tightening the fill plug, it cracked and separated from the center and left the outer edge cracked in 2 places as well. I barely started tightening it. I probably only had about 10lbs pressure when it happened – it felt like I snapped a thin twig. I’m very familiar with how much to torque the plug.

I’ve performed this DCT fluid change 3 times already (every 30K miles) and always replace the fill plug with a brand new one. Between these DCT fluid changes, whenever I perform my oil change every 5K miles, I fill up the DCT as well, keeping the same fill plug. I have the infamous leaky DCT symptom so I make certain it is topped off during the oil changes. I've replaced my pan and the leak still persists.

[amrazM]

It’s an aluminum screw not meant to be reused.

[Scrippy]

Wow DCT fluid every 30,000?! Do you live at the track or something?

[da jemster]

Originally Posted by Scrippy

Wow DCT fluid every 30,000?! Do you live at the track or something?

I've been following Mike Miller's advise on 30K mile changes on my Diff with the E46 and this E93. I had an E46 325i that I let the diff go for about 45K and it had to be rebuilt - so I've learned my lesson. I'm following suit with my DCT:

BMW is trying “lifetime fill” with the optional M Double Clutch Gearbox on the E90-family M3, and this gearbox requires a special lubricant: BMW DCTF-1 Pentosin. Personally I wouldn’t buy a DCT, but if I had to maintain one I would change its oil at 1,200 miles, 30,000 and every 30,000 miles thereafter.


You been avoiding that big hole on The Old Road?

[Scrippy]

Originally Posted by da jemster

I've been following Mike Miller's advise on 30K mile changes on my Diff with the E46 and this E93. I had an E46 325i that I let the diff go for about 45K and it had to be rebuilt - so I've learned my lesson. I'm following suit with my DCT:

BMW is trying “lifetime fill” with the optional M Double Clutch Gearbox on the E90-family M3, and this gearbox requires a special lubricant: BMW DCTF-1 Pentosin. Personally I wouldn’t buy a DCT, but if I had to maintain one I would change its oil at 1,200 miles, 30,000 and every 30,000 miles thereafter.


You been avoiding that big hole on The Old Road?

Lol, I have been avoiding that jerkoff bump on The Old Rd! It's still there too! Man I feel like 30,000 is a lil crazy though. So I changed mine after that pothole and I gotta be honest, when I removed the pan and looked at the internals they looked so damn clean! I was very pumped on how clean things were. While looking in with a flashlight at the gears I could see, things barely showed pattern wear at all. I think the DCT is pretty solid man. My personal opinion on the fear or thoughts that the M3 is fragile all come from the folks abusing them and then acting surprised when things fail on forums. If you have the money to buy DCT unicorn blood every 30,000 then why not I guess. I would consider 50,000 intervals at the closest.

[spiderspider]

"Lifetime fill" = 100K-120K in my book. 30K seems a little short (and it seems like a shoot from the hip guesstimate than anything based on experience, no disrespect).

[brettcp]

good timing, i was just about to order everything needed for a 100k mile DCT service, was going to skip the new fill plug but after seeing this I'm going to get a new one

[da jemster]

Originally Posted by spiderspider

"Lifetime fill" = 100K-120K in my book. 30K seems a little short (and it seems like a shoot from the hip guesstimate than anything based on experience, no disrespect).

None taken, but for one who's experienced a failure, it's peace of mind.

[da jemster]

Off the car...