DIY, or leave it to the experts?

[MISS BM 712]

Went out and got a few quotes regarding new parts for my car.

First thing on the the list is to change the transmission fluid and filter.

It sounds easy enough to change the fluid, and while I'm at it will drop the pan and change the filter. Parts are pretty decently priced too, but my question is, do I leave this to the experts, or do I go ahead and do it myself?

I have the basic know how, and the tips for when the new oil goes in (to run car through the gears and then top up until full)

Ah yes, and what fluid to use.. A bit skeptical about using your ordinary variety trans fluid... So what type/where from?

Cheers in advance.

[M5V8 337]

tough question to answer!

it really depends on various factors including car value, potential cost savings, tools, and mechanical aptitude.

For me.

I know my way around a wench. But running an M5 it was a no-brainer to pay a professional the $80 to change my gearbox oil with specialty redline products I purchased myself.

The risk of damaging something in my poxy little concrete garage outweighed any labour costs.

If my car was alittle cheaper... or I had room or a hoist. Would be a different story.

Edited February 24, 2014 by M5V8

[yng_750 247]

I would do professional. If you drain it you might get half the fluid out leaving torque converter etc full of old oil. The pros will force new fluid in and get all the old fluid.

Some may say replacing the fluid can cause issues by disloging crap in the box but i think its like getting fat on the couch to avoid the risk of twisting your ankle. Not really worth worrying about in the big picture

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[BreakMyWindow 1870]

If u have access to a hoist.. go to town on it. But if you're relying on axle stands to get the clearance needed then there's always that risk... I'm all for diy but when it comes to safety, hoists have a better track record then axle stands, or trolley jacks.

I'm not sure what alternatives there are for fluids, I'd give Ross at BM workshop in botany a bell and see what his opinion would be for fluid choice.

[jeffbebe 1559]

^ +1. Auto trans servicing is best left to the pros IMO, unless you have experience of doing it.

EDIT: Use OE fluid. Here's the fluid chart, though from memory you can only get it from dealers or BMWorkshop. Think Esso fluid has been superceded by ZF Lifegaurd. It's pretty expensive but if you search the part# on eBay or similar you might be able to get some shipped cheap(ish).

Edited February 24, 2014 by jeffbebe

[jeffbebe 1559]

Actually, got a feeling Ray might be able to get OE fluid at a reasonable price. Worth checking with him first.

[MISS BM 712]

For me, it wasn't the price factor, more the learning factor and giving it a go, but now a bit unsure. It doesn't seem like rocket science, but then I didn't think it through regarding old oil in places it will need to be shoved through...

Cheers for the chart! Makes that simple.

[BreakMyWindow 1870]

Hopefully the torque converter isn't as bad as the one here : http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/527361

[Michael. 2312]

Ive done my filter on my Toyota, its not the most fun job and quite messy!

For what its worth I'd pay someone to do it unless you do 95% of your car work usualy

[vtgts300kw 90]

Could always just disconnect the hoses to and from the trans cooler, put the return line into a container of new fluid and run the car until it's gone. Cheap flush.

Not that i would condone this.

Edited February 24, 2014 by vtgts300kw

[westy 614]

Can think of a hundy better things to learn on than a shitty trans fluid flush.

[MISS BM 712]

Got to start somewhere, and since that's what my car needs right now, first thing on the list that I was going to do (attempt is a better word..)

You never learn if you never try, but if it's best suggested that something could go shockingly wrong when a female attempts it, will get the pros to do it.

[lord_jagganath 421]

now there .... I wouldn't chalk any cock ups down to your gender.

[MISS BM 712]

now there .... I wouldn't chalk any cock ups down to your gender.

Nope, will blame the hair colour instead, much more valid reason

[antil33t 90]

I gave it a go, but couldn't get it to fill correctly. as you fill them from underside.

Most tranny shops have the correct tools to do this without much issue.

I'd just pay someone to do it for peace of mind.

it also needs to be at 20 degrees to be filled. Filling them is a right pain haha.

Edited February 24, 2014 by antil33t

[MISS BM 712]

I gave it a go, but couldn't get it to fill correctly. as you fill them from underside.

Most tranny shops have the correct tools to do this without much issue.

I'd just pay someone to do it for peace of mind.

it also needs to be at 20 degrees to be filled. Filling them is a right pain haha.

Fluid pump I would have thought could make the job a lot easier

Yeah that seems to be the suggestion so far.. lol

[MISS BM 712]

I went investigating (what a women does best ) and found these clips.

Now, it doesn't seem that complicated, and looks so easy. Are you sure they are doing it right? And there is the same tip for pushing through the gears to ensure it fills right..

Looks easier than what's being suggested so a bit unsure.

God, don't you love technology

[jeffbebe 1559]

Like you, I'm keen to learn to do as much to the car as possible but when it relates to an absolutely critical part of the car (and one that is horribly expensive to replace if you f*ck it up) I prefer to pay the pros and get it done right. Auto trans service is not the expensive - the fluid is the most expensive bit and you'll pay for that regardless - and you'll know that it's been flushed and serviced properly.

Mine was 100 times better after a pro service when I bought the car last year.

[MISS BM 712]

Like you, I'm keen to learn to do as much to the car as possible but when it relates to an absolutely critical part of the car (and one that is horribly expensive to replace if you f*ck it up) I prefer to pay the pros and get it done right. Auto trans service is not the expensive - the fluid is the most expensive bit and you'll pay for that regardless - and you'll know that it's been flushed and serviced properly.

Mine was 100 times better after a pro service when I bought the car last year.

Yeah, very valid point.

Have been given mixed opinions on Trans flush too... to not too, or to do is the question that still stands regarding that.

Having a look at trans fluid.. Wowzers, but you pay for the true quality.

[twisted 45]

After attempting a fluid change on a broken e34 540 trans, with the car on stands, I swore I'd pay someone to do it next time. It's messy, it's smelly, and tbh for the sake of a couple of hundy, much better left to a pro with a hoist and a proper flush machine. Also this way you know you have replaced all old fluid in one shot.

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[BreakMyWindow 1870]

Have you had the trans looked at by a specialist? Might save you having to pay for the fluid the 2nd time round if you need to have the trans pulled apart.

[MISS BM 712]

Have you had the trans looked at by a specialist? Might save you having to pay for the fluid the 2nd time round if you need to have the trans pulled apart.

Mmm nope.. All seemed well, clean changes, working as it should Just that bloody grunty sound on slow acceleration. Fine if you have a lead foot 24/7.

Seen a few of the same incidences, and clean fluid + new filter sussed the problem.

[aja540i 1905]

I have changed mine myself and there are a couple of things to be wary of, USE THE PROPER FLUID!!! Its expensive ($20 per litre) but it is critical!! Clearance under the car is a pain, you will need some kind of pump to fill the box afterwards. The car needs to be LEVEL and at operating temperature to check the fluid level, picture yourself upside down under a hot car pulling out the filler plug to check the level - 2 or 3 times!! You will not get all the old fluid out yourself, so you may want to do it again in 6 months to make sure the worst of the old fluid is gone, even then it will still have some scum in it.

Unless you are still really keen, i recommend getting it flushed, and a new filter and gasket.

If you are still really keen i have an electric oil pump that has only been used for bmw trans fluid, you can borrow if you want.

Good luck either way

[BreakMyWindow 1870]

Mmm nope.. All seemed well, clean changes, working as it should Just that bloody grunty sound on slow acceleration. Fine if you have a lead foot 24/7.

Seen a few of the same incidences, and clean fluid + new filter sussed the problem.

That grinding sound is not healthy though... It could may well turn out not to be what ya think until you get some one who knows these transmissions well to have a look at it. To have to shell out for new fluid, then only to have to do it again because the trans needs dismantling would be such a waste. My old 540i made this very same grinding sound going up college hill @ 50 - 60k's just cruising, but it was not as loud as yours sounds in that clip, you could barely hear it - This leads me to believe that the TC in your is on it's very last legs, and that replacing the fluid won't do anything. IMO get it diagnosed properly before spending bucks on new fluid.

[MISS BM 712]

That grinding sound is not healthy though... It could may well turn out not to be what ya think until you get some one who knows these transmissions well to have a look at it. To have to shell out for new fluid, then only to have to do it again because the trans needs dismantling would be such a waste. My old 540i made this very same grinding sound going up college hill @ 50 - 60k's just cruising, but it was not as loud as yours sounds in that clip, you could barely hear it - This leads me to believe that the TC in your is on it's very last legs, and that replacing the fluid won't do anything. IMO get it diagnosed properly before spending bucks on new fluid.

Bugger reading this, making me do a big double take..and that's exactly when it happens, cruising up hills is it's worst..

Just keep splashing money at the darn thing...