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11-30-2020, 01:43 PM | #1 |
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Which Differential Fluid
I just bought a 2008 128i with 82K miles. I am looking to change the differential fluid. I have seen two conflicting recommendations. Some say 75W90 and others suggest 75W140. Which one is right one. I have a 6 speed manual transmission.
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11-30-2020, 03:59 PM | #2 |
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You want 75W90. I'm using Redline but any quality gear oil will do. No drain plug so you'll have to use some kind of suction device of about 3/8" to get down in there as far as you can. Every 50k. miles is a good idea.
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11-30-2020, 05:31 PM | #3 |
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I would do 75/90 unless you are doing a lot of track days or pushing serious torque, like 500. Redline makes good stuff and is easy to get.
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12-01-2020, 12:45 AM | #5 |
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Here's what I'd recommend.
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12-01-2020, 10:20 AM | #6 |
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I have the same setup! Makes for a nice morning job.
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12-01-2020, 08:44 PM | #8 |
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12-06-2020, 12:27 AM | #10 |
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12-09-2020, 01:40 AM | #11 | |
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Down here in God's Waiting Room, FL where the natives put on parkas at 60F (I am not kidding), I use MTL and MUCH prefer it to D6 in the heat. Or the BMW special unicorn tears original fluid.
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12-11-2020, 07:40 PM | #12 |
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I just did the differential fluid change. Based on the recommendation here, I used Redline 75W90. On draining the old oil, only less than 1/2 quart came out. But I was able to put in 1.5 quart. So it was low by 1 quart. I did not see any leaks, just the normal seepage. I am wonder where did 1 qt of differential fluid went.
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12-13-2020, 10:33 PM | #13 | |
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How did you drain it too? I used a vacuum bottle like you would use to drain oil from the dipstick tube with a couple feet of 1/8" hard plastic hose on the end, and you have to stick it waaay in there to get it all. I got probably 95% of whatever the official fill amount is out is - 1.8L or some such (it's been a few months)? Same amount went back in.
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12-14-2020, 08:47 PM | #14 |
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I did the work with my Indy at his shop. We had the car hoisted on the lift in his shop. So I believe the car was not sloping. We used a hand pump to drain the old fluid. We made sure all the fluid was out by checking with a bent plastic tie (makeshift dip stick). Then I was surprised that we pumped in almost 1.5 qt of new fluid when it started to overflow. I was told that the total capacity is 1.1L
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12-14-2020, 08:53 PM | #15 | |
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Like I said, pretty sure I got rather more than 1L out of and into mine - def more than 1L, def less than 2L. I'm sure rather more than 1.1L. Keep an eye on it, and check the level occasionally. Hope it's just a fluky thing!
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12-14-2020, 09:28 PM | #16 |
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Yes, the low volume of old oil coming out is my concern. The Indy said that there is a relief valve on the top of the differential and sometimes the oil gets too hot and escapes. He is not a BMW specialist, but very experienced. I am not sure if what he is saying makes sense. May be some members here more familiar with the differential can comment
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