128i manual transmission - which type of drain plugs?

[wolfe]

I'm putting together a list of parts and torque specs for the break in service I plan to do to my 128.

The one thing that has me stuck is the type of drain plug that the 128i manual transmission uses. I know this car has a different transmission than the 135i.

According to the BMW TIS, the 128i uses the Getrag GS6-17BG transmission, which is designated an "I transmission". It says I transmissions use an M12 x 1.5 drain plug, which gets torqued to 25nm. But, when I went to order the drain plugs using RealOEM, it shows the drain plugs as being M18 x 1.5 hex head bolts. The TIS says these get torqued to 35nm.

Since I won't have the car to check for another week at least, does anyone know which is correct?

[Dackelone]

I do not believe you need to replace the drain plugs. Why not just re-use them?

That is what I did when I changed teh fluid on my old e36 323i. The fill and drian plugs - I used a 17mm wrench on them. They have a hex head build onto the bolt threads. I was expecting a hex head socket(much like the 128i oil drain plug), but that is not what they were.

I guess you will have to take some pic and make up a DIY guide for this.

[wolfe]

I think replacing them is probably overkill, I just want to be on the safe side. My e46 had aluminum hex-head plugs and the procedure called to replace them.

Hopefully I have the right plugs ordered. I'll definitely try and get some pictures for a DIY guide.

[Lester]

Make sure you can get the fill plug out and have the right kind of pump to replace the fluid before you take out the drain plug.

[wolfe]

Definitely. I had a heck of a time finding a pump for a quart fluid bottle, everywhere seems to only stock the one for gallon containers.

The diff is the part I'm not looking forward to. No drain plug means it is going to be a challenge to get the old fluid out.