Project 36: Replacing your Automatic Transmission Fluid

[Wayne at Pelican Parts]

Got any questions on Project 36 for your E36 or E30? Ask them here!

-Wayne

[otto_FRAGGER]

i really like your book and how you have put everything in a nice neat package for everyone to use. the question I'm asking is about changing the transmission fluid. the information that you gave was good but i need to know how to change the transmission fluid on a 1999 323i BMW. my BMW has only one sump, which is why i would like to know if you can help me out, seeing as how you seem to know a lot of things about BMW's.

Thank You Very Much!

[Jeron]

In 1999, BMW changed chassis from E36 to E46. Which one do you have or what is the last 7 of your VIN or do you know which model tranny you have?

[otto_FRAGGER]

hi
sorry i didn't respond right away, but i was out of town. last 7 digits of the vin Number is "fp55621." i'm freaking hear, cuz i drained the transmission fluid and i don't have a clue how to get it back in.

Thank You!

[Jeron]

It appears yours an early production E46 so you should have a A5S360R tranny.

Read these all the way through:
2000 328i GM Automatic Transmission fluid type / Thank you
E46 ATF fluid and change...

In one of those, I gave a link to a Bentley Publishing PDF that should answer your every question.

[kraut-runner]

I recently changed my radiator, water pump and thermo. In the process I lost tranny fluid out of the cooler. The 101 projects book recommends not mixing fluids. But following how to change the tranny fluid in the book, it says nothing about draining the fluid from the cooler. You can't possibly be draining all the fluid out by removing the 2 sumps. So how is adding a cup of fresh fluid to top off my tranny any different from putting in all new and having it mix with the old that lingers in the system? which would be mixing fluids. Just anxious to drive my car, but don't I want to drive with low tranny fluid, and I don't want to have to wait for a new tranny filter kit. Maybe I just need to learn some patience!

[Jeron]

I don't have the book with me to get the context but you'll be fine adding a cup of fresh fluid. You are correct that not all of the fluid is changed in standard dump and fill. Consider doing the initial change the pull the return line from the cooler and circulate a few refills worth of fluid until it runs clean then finish the fill procedure.

[kraut-runner]

Jeron thanks,
But I decided to just order the new filter and gasket so I can replace all the fluid. My car has 75,000 on it and I figured it was a good time for fresh fluid. I am having a problem though. When I dropped the two sumps the gaskets didn't come with the pans. They are really stuck on to the tranny. In trying to remove them peices of the gaskets were flaking into the exposed tranny. This has me very nervous, since I know it dosen't take much to screw up a tranny. Has anyone else had this problem with the gaskets?

[slicric]

Wayne and/or Jeron,
Could you please help me confirm the fluid type and tranny model for my '95, production 9/95, M3? Could you also let me know what is the capacity?
I am afraid it might be ESSO 71141 Lt and if so, is there an alternative to this expensive fluid?

Thanks

[Jeron]

The 95 M3 uses regular ATF in both the manual and automatic. Synthetic ATF is better.

FYI, trannys that use ESSO can use Amsoil Synthetic ATF or Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF. Probably any good Synthetic ATF will work as well.