Oil change issue

gsleve · 09-11-2006, 09:46 AM

have a frieds car 1995 318ti I purchased a purolater filter for cleaning motor with aut-rx first filter change went fine.

However the package includes two washers and they are different sizes and they don't seem to comform or seat correctly they are very thin. Is there a specific way in which these washers are positioned because I get quite a bit of oil seepage this time.

Jeron · Jeron's Garage

One washer is for the drain plug and the other for the filter housing. Does that answer your question?

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

This should show you where those go:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Oil-Change/E36-Oil-Change.htm

-Wayne

gsleve · 09-11-2006, 12:42 PM

Thanks, I didn't surmise that due to the fact I extracted the oil from the dip stick didn't pull the drain plug, reason why this threw me is that some else did the oil change I hadn't really touched the bmw therefore when I had lifted the bolt to remove the top hosing I saw two washers different in diameter yet both were on the bolt.

I guess the smaller one is for the bolt on the filter housing.

Jeron · Jeron's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by gsleve
I guess the smaller one is for the bolt on the filter housing.

That's correct.

gsleve · 09-12-2006, 05:12 AM

I thank you all, please forgive my ignorance on this.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by gsleve
I thank you all, please forgive my ignorance on this.

Hey, no sweat, that is what this forum is designed for. There are no stupid questions here!

-Wayne

gsleve · 08:51 AM

This is my wifes boss's car she is a doctor and is overseas heads up a neurological divison for children experiencing unique diseases, she as well works for Duke Univerity in NC.. Of note is she wanted me to take care of her car it it is a 95 318ti and only has 60k on the odo.

I did an Auto-rx clean phase and now I'm doing a rinse phase for the engine

I'd like do a clean phase regarding the auto tranny.

My question is the procedure outlined on the web for the tranny only good for a drain and fill?

Because after using the Auto-rx recommendations is to purge all the fluid including what's in the torque converter.

Can I disconnect the cooling lines from the tranny and purge the system like I've done in the past on other cars or is their caveats in doing this

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

I've heard that the tranny flushes are pretty good, but I haven't personally had them done to any of my cars.

You're right that the tranny fluid replace will only swap out the fluid, but I don't think too much gets trapped in the transmission when it's off. If you are super concerned about it, then you can always change the fluid twice.

I'm not sure what Auto-rx is?

I'm not sure if removing the coolant lines from the transmission and purging them would hurt the transmission. I would think probably not, but I'm not sure. I don't have any of that specialized equipment anyways, so I would just swap the fluid myself if it were my car...

-Wayne

Jeron · Jeron's Garage

I did like to know if pulling the cooling line on the tranny works out too. I've done it on a non-BMW with fantastic results. On that car, I drained and filled the tranny, pulled the return line, ran the engine until most of the fluid was pumped out and repeated 3 times.

gsleve · 09-13-2006, 11:43 AM

Wayne Auto-rx is a metal cleaner dissolves sludge cleans ring pack it's an excellent metal cleaner I've used it on non bmw cars does absoluty wanders restores compression and if seals are not cracked cleans varnish off the seals and allows the regular oil to reswell them back to original. Does wanders for transmissions as well.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by gsleve
Wayne Auto-rx is a metal cleaner dissolves sludge cleans ring pack it's an excellent metal cleaner I've used it on non bmw cars does absoluty wanders restores compression and if seals are not cracked cleans varnish off the seals and allows the regular oil to reswell them back to original. Does wanders for transmissions as well.

Sounds good, but BMW transmissions can be so finicky, I'd be wary of putting almost anything in there...

-Wayne

gsleve · 09-13-2006, 03:26 PM

I'm not fimiliar w/BMW trannies always thought they were mostly a stick however this is my first encountered auto. What issue could I run into my plan was to use a synthetic oil afterwards. Do you feel I should just purge the tranny with new and let the new fluid do the cleaning and then do a drain and fill of the pan?

gsleve · 09-13-2006, 03:34 PM

I thought I use a synthetic aftwards what issues do you think I would encounter, this is the first auto bmw I've worked on mostly thought they'd be all stick, however if I should only do a purge and refill with synthetic and then wait 3months and do a drain and fill, is the more prudent?

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

I would use the Dex-3 fluid recommended by BMW. The transmissions are actually GM (General Motors) units...

-Wayne

Jeron · Jeron's Garage

I would drop the pan and replace the filter. Then in 6 months or so do simple drain and fill. Do you know the proper fill procedure?

You should also make her aware that if the fluid hasn't been changed in a long time there is risk of loosening sludge and causing problems.

gsleve · 09-14-2006, 09:00 AM

I'm unaware of her last transmission fluid change out usually she takes the vehicle to a shop that specializes in european cars such as porshe and the like bmw included. Whenever a problem has presented itself sh usually takes it there. My assumption is that there has been a change out of the fluid at least one time. I'd have to call the shop and ask when the last appintment was.

Well if it is a GM there tranny typically go by the wayside becuase of neglect and infrequent fluid changes I blame the owneers for this, however if fluid changes are kept up at least once a year or 20k tranny will do fine

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by gsleve
Well if it is a GM there tranny typically go by the wayside becuase of neglect and infrequent fluid changes I blame the owneers for this, however if fluid changes are kept up at least once a year or 20k tranny will do fine

Funny you should say that, as BMW bills these units as having "lifetime" fluid that doesn't need to be changed. I think it's hogwash, and is a primary cause for transmission failures! Particularly when the lines get damaged, and it starts leaking / losing fluid. People think they are non-serviceable and don't pay attention to them until they fail.

Here's the article on changing the fluid in your auto tranny:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Tranny_Fluid_Auto/E36-Tranny_Fluid_Auto.htm

Also documented in the 101 book...

-Wayne