1994 325i Transmission

[tjmonk]

I am changing the transmission fluid. When I removed the "front" (smaller) pan and emptied the fluid I found the pieces of a reddish-orange plastic ring. It is approximately 2.5" in diameter with four raised "knobs". What is it and how bad is it?

[bostogrun]

The front pan is the torque converter so there are not any solenoids or valves in there. It looks the plastic facing of a seal. The seal is made of rubber usually with a spring inside to press it against the rotating shaft. The facing may not affect the functionality of a seal sans protecting it from the elements, more relevant on parts exposed to the outside.

Do you have any external leaks or anything like that? Just hope it does walk out of the race it's installed in.

[bostogrun]

Its definitely the torque convertor seal. Look at Wayne's parts website catalog under torque converter seal. Like I said if it's not leaking out it could still be functional because you only lost the facing plate, the plastic ring is attached to more flexible rubbery materail that actually does the sealing.