DIY: manual transmission and diff fluid change

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by JHZR2

...Despite the cleanliness of the fluids, I wouldn't mind getting a magnetic drain plug for the MT. Anyone know the plug spec??

Dimple sells some nice strong magnetic plugs for everything on our cars. They are really well made but a bit pricey.

http://www.drainplugmagnets.com/


My trans and diff oil was absolutely nasty at 30K miles.

[Rickmac]

Thanks for this DIY. Very detailed and informatonal

[desertman123]

Thanks for this guide, really made it easy! I found the oil sucker I bought for my boat to work perfectly for this! Also a 3/8" breaker bar fit just fine with a normal length hex bit. Redline MTL does make this trans a bit smoother

Edit: I should add that you could probably get away with using only 1qt for the diff and 3qts for the trans. I had an entire extra 75w90 qt (may have not sucked out all the old fluid) so I just put the hose as far forward in the diff as I could and "flushed" it out with the remaining fluid. I did the same with the trans and still have like 1.5qts of it. Oh well, it'll work great in my boat!!


Edit 2: I had so much left over that I did another drain and fill! Here's the MTL that was in the trans for a day next to some new stuff.

[Mespinosa92]

Hello, I have an 09 automatic 128i. I see the bottle says automatic/manual/differential/transaxle. Would you recommend this for my car? Updates from bmw are to use dexron 6 or similar. Thank you.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Mespinosa92

Hello, I have an 09 automatic 128i. I see the bottle says automatic/manual/differential/transaxle. Would you recommend this for my car? Updates from bmw are to use dexron 6 or similar. Thank you.

This thread is for MANUAL transmission 135i's. Yes, Redline oil recommends either an ATF-D4 or D6 oil or their MTL(atf) for use in our manual trans cars.


I would consult with either The California Transmission Supply Company(CTSC) or with Redline oils themselves - for the proper oil for use in your trans. I would think either D4 or D6 would be ok. But you should ask Redline directly. The auto trans in the 128i is a GM unit.


http://www.redlineoil.com/

http://www.thectsc.com/

http://www.thectsc.com/faq-bmw-oil-change-kit

[Mespinosa92]

Thank you. Saw the link. They recommend their D6 product.

[Gray_Panther]

I want to do it this weekend but does the entire car have to be lifted or can i get away with lifting the rear for the diff and then the front for the MT?

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by Gray_Panther

I want to do it this weekend but does the entire car have to be lifted or can i get away with lifting the rear for the diff and then the front for the MT?

Need to clean out your in box.

[Gray_Panther]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

Need to clean out your in box.

Try now. I deleted four messages.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Gray_Panther

I want to do it this weekend but does the entire car have to be lifted or can i get away with lifting the rear for the diff and then the front for the MT?

The car has to be level when you fill the oil(s) in the diff and manual trans. Get four (good quality)jack stands, or have a shop do this for you.

Dack

[Traf]

Hello,
Just wanted to share my experience about changing my transmission fluid.
My car has 56 000km, the old fluid didn't look that bad.

I decided to go with Redline MT-90. Everything went smoothly, expect the big oil seringe i had was pure garbage i had to improvise.

Let's just say i should have done it sooner.
Shifts are smoother, and the overall operation of the gearbox is greatly improved. Much less vibration coming from the gearbox.

Overall, everybody should do it ! Great improvement for cheap, combined with a CDV and a shortshifter, should transform the car !

[Dackelone]

I am now running Redline MTL in my manual trans. Initial impressions is I like it. I am still not sure IF its better than D4. I guess I will see when the colder morning temps come and I will find out how she shifts cold.

[Traf]

Redline MTL is a thinner MT-90 right ?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Traf

Redline MTL is a thinner MT-90 right ?

I think so. But ask Redline. All I know is that my MTL looked almost like ATF... just a tad thicker - to me when I looked inside the bottle. D4 was thinner(looking) to me.

[6MT_Addict]

Thanks for posting.

Switched out to Redline MTL and Redline 75W90 for the rear diff. Did the M3 trans bushings at the same time, shifts are much much better now! 60,000km and the oil is a very dark brown, glad I didn't wait another 40,000km! FWIW, used gravity feed for both... takes a long time but it works just fine with 3/8" dia PCV hose and a funnel. Just get the funnel higher than the transmission or diff and gravity does the rest. Having something to hang it on helps while you drink your beer

[$iriu$black]

Did anybody ever have their transmission slip after doing the Mtrans flush? Plan to do this myself over the long weekend but my friend who is an ase mechanic said that it might slip after as it's "too early" to do it. Tookthat advice w a grain of salt but still plan to do it as it's what's recommended. Any thoughts on this?

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by $iriu$black

Did anybody ever have their transmission slip after doing the Mtrans flush? Plan to do this myself over the long weekend but my friend who is an ase mechanic said that it might slip after as it's "too early" to do it. Tookthat advice w a grain of salt but still plan to do it as it's what's recommended. Any thoughts on this?

Only automatics can "slip" internally, manuals have no surfaces that can slip (it's all just gears meshed together). Unless you're thinking of the clutch, which is completely separate from the internal trans/fluid.

You're safe to change the fluid.

sidenote: automatics can certainly slip after a transmission flush

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by $iriu$black

Did anybody ever have their transmission slip after doing the Mtrans flush? Plan to do this myself over the long weekend but my friend who is an ase mechanic said that it might slip after as it's "too early" to do it. Tookthat advice w a grain of salt but still plan to do it as it's what's recommended. Any thoughts on this?

The only way your trans might start to slip is IF you put the trans fluid down the clutch instead of inside the manual trans!

You are perfectly fine in changing your fluid - no matter the miles. I think your friend might also be thinking of a Automatic trans.

PS: Don't for get to also change the diff fluid as well(75w140). I am now using Redline's MTL in my manual trans and I am quite happy with it. Thanks MightyMouseTech

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

The only way your trans might start to slip is IF you put the trans fluid down the clutch instead of inside the manual trans!

You are perfectly fine in changing your fluid - no matter the miles. I think your friend might also be thinking of a Automatic trans.

PS: Don't for get to also change the diff fluid as well(75w140). I am now using Redline's MTL in my manual trans and I am quite happy with it. Thanks MightyMouseTech

I found the fluid starts just OK, but needs some miles to really feel great.

Also found recently, below freezing, the MTL really needs some warming up. Ah well, car going into storage tomorrow. We are expecting a big storm (20-40 cm if snow) starting Sunday night.

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

I found the fluid starts just OK, but needs some miles to really feel great.

Also found recently, below freezing, the MTL really needs some warming up. Ah well, car going into storage tomorrow. We are expecting a big storm (20-40 cm if snow) starting Sunday night.

Originally Posted by Dackelone

*snip*

PS: Don't for get to also change the diff fluid as well(75w140). I am now using Redline's MTL in my manual trans and I am quite happy with it. Thanks MightyMouseTech

I've seen people mention 75w90 and 75w140 for the diff, does it really matter which? I might switch to a heavier diff oil since I'm in Florida (it's still in the 80s here, almost December, god I love having summer tires all year round!). Might have to get in contact with Redline to see what they recommend.


Also I've noticed the trans is a bit harder to shift on cold mornings (it's gotten to the 40s at night here) but nothing too bad. I try and take it easy until the tires/fluids are nice and warm.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by desertman123

I've seen people mention 75w90 and 75w140 for the diff, does it really matter which? I might switch to a heavier diff oil since I'm in Florida (it's still in the 80s here, almost December, god I love having summer tires all year round!). Might have to get in contact with Redline to see what they recommend.

Well... BMW says one should use Castrol SAF-XJ 75w140 diff oil in the 135i(and also in M model cars). So that is why I run a 75w140 viscosity diff oil.

Also I've noticed the trans is a bit harder to shift on cold mornings (it's gotten to the 40s at night here) but nothing too bad. I try and take it easy until the tires/fluids are nice and warm.

Since June I have been running Redline's MTL in my six speed manual trans. I really like it. I had been using Redline's ATF D4 forever.

A lot of guys on this forum (including MightyMouseTech )talked me into using MTL and for the most part I am happy with it. But this week its getting kind of cold in Germany... (bellow freezing, highs of only 3'C and lows of -9'C at night)... and I have noticed that the first three or four shifts(in the first kilometer of driving) are kind of hard to go into gear. Its possible, but it takes some force to move the shifter into position. IF you have to do a lot of shifting when you first drive away from your haus MTL might not be for you.

I think IF you live in a cold climate and park your car outside... I would use Redline ATF D4 or even D6(since its thinner than D4). I usually don't drive my 135i in the winter(my e39 540i is down at the moment)... but soon it will go to sleep for the winter months. Maybe in the Spring I might switch back to ATF D4 since I have a gallon of that fluid in my garage.


Dack

[Dackelone]

I just saw this good video from ///Drive on oils...