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      06-08-2014, 11:50 PM   #1
Rated-M3
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DIY: 128i GM GA6L45R Automatic Transmission Filter Change

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage done to your vehicle or, any bodily harm or injuries as a result of following this guide. This is simply an informative procedure. Work on your vehicle at your own risk and always consider safety first.

This DIY is specific to the 128i automatic GA6L45R transmission. In case it makes a difference, mine has a production date of 9/2009. This guide may be applicable to other chassis' but follow it at your own risk.



My goal was to do a filter and fluid change at 50k miles in hopes of prolonging the life of the auto-tragic. The car had 50,119 miles at the time of service. I used all Genuine BMW parts purchased from www.getBMWparts.com. As for the fluid, I chose to use Valvoline Dexron VI as it's advertised as a full synthetic that meets GM’s Dexron VI specifications (I am weary of “multi-vehicle” ATF). I later found out that all Dexron VI fluids are synthetic. Synthetic blend for Dexron VI simply means a mixture of different synthetic base stocks. I bought 2 cases (12qts) from Amazon as Valvoline Dexron VI is not available locally. I was expecting to need 7 to 8qts but ended up only using 5.5qts. Your results may vary. With that said, choose your fluid at your own discretion. There is a label on the transmission that says to only use BMW Dexron VI fluid.



You can verify the parts needed through www.realoem.com with your VIN number. Be careful when viewing the transmission diagrams as it may bring up both the ZF and GM transmissions.

Parts list:
24-11-7-572-618 Transmission pan gasket
24-11-7-593-565 Transmission filter (O-ring was included)
24-11-7-572-622 Transmission drain plug
24-14-7-572-603 Transmission fill plug



Tools needed:
8mm socket
10mm socket
5mm hex socket (You could probably get away with using an Allen wrench)
17mm wrench
A tool to remove and install the transmission filter O-ring
A pump to fill the transmission (I used a gallon fluid transfer pump from the local parts store)

Time-wise, this job could have been done in about 2 hours but I also changed the oil in another car and followed a slightly different sequence of steps. I have re-arranged the procedure appropriately. I wanted to do this job after the car sat overnight so all the fluid would have settled in the pan but I had to start it to get it on the ramps. It sat for a little less than a hour before I drained the fluid. Plan appropriately.

1. Put the car in the air. If you’re working on a driveway like me, remember, safety in numbers (Jacks, jack stands, etc.). You want the car to be level for the fill procedure. I did this later on by placing a level along the transmission pan to set the jack stands at the appropriate height.



2. Remove the middle and rear under panels. I believe there are 6 bolts on the middle panel and 3 on the rear panel in which these panels share 1 bolt. (8mm socket)





To remove the middle panel, you will twist it to align the rectangular hole to go over the hanger.



3. Remove the hanger. (10mm socket)



4. The drain plug is at the rear of the pan. Drain the transmission fluid. (5mm hex socket)



5. Reinstall the drain plug. Now, remove the 17 bolts along the perimeter of the transmission pan. The pan may be holding itself up on its own afterwards. Tap it lightly with a rubber mallet and be prepared to catch it.

6. Remove the filter by pulling down on it. It took me a couple of tugs and it popped out once it broke free.



7. Remove the O-ring. The O-ring is a little ways up in a small space where the neck of the filter was inserted. I think I recall reading there’s a special tool for this. I don't have it so I bent it at the lip to create a relief and then pulled it down from the top with a slightly bent pick. Be careful not to score the walls. I forgot to take a picture of the O-ring to show how I bent it.

*Note: Some research suggests that if the O-ring holds the filter in place without any wobbles it may still be good to reuse. It is part rubber so I feel more comfortable changing it out.





8. Let the transmission fluid continue to drip/drain. In the meantime, clean up the pan and magnet and install the new gasket on the pan. It has guide pins that help greatly with reinstallation.



9. Now, install the new O-ring. Again, I believe there’s a special tool for this. I had a drift that was able to fit in the open end of a socket that was slightly bigger than the O-ring. I don’t really have any specific advice for this as I improvised with what I had. Softly tap the O-ring in making sure it goes in aligned properly. Lightly coat the O-ring with transmission fluid prior to installation.

*Note: Some research suggest that you can press the new O-ring in with the filter. I cannot confirm if this works or not.





10. Install the new filter. Lightly coat the neck of the tube with transmission fluid prior to installation.



11. Clean the gasket mating surface and reinstall the pan. Follow this tightening sequence for proper installation. Tighten the bolts to 10nm. Now you can take the time to install the new drain plug if you did not already do so. Tighten to 8nm.



12. The fill plug is at the back of the transmission above the exhaust hanger. A 17mm wrench fits between the hanger and transmission. Fill the transmission until it starts to overflow, then, reinstall the plug . Mine took about 3qts before it started to overflow.





13. I reset the transmission adaptation settings before I started working on the car. You may or may not have to do this. I figured it was a good idea to do with fresh fluid. With the key in the ignition, press the ignition button with your foot off the brake, then hold the accelerator to the floor for 30 seconds. There are no chimes or dashboard indicators to tell you when the procedure is done. Then, press the ignition button again with your foot off the brake.

14. Start the car and run through its gears leaving it in each gear for a few seconds before changing it again. Let the car run (I left it in neutral) until the transmission gets up to temp. I think I let it run for about 20 minutes and verified the appropriate temperature for filling with an infrared thermometer on the pan.





14. Now be careful with the exhaust piping. You may want to come in from the opposite side of the car. Everything will be hot so carefully remove the fill plug and fill until it overflows again. Now, install the new fill plug and tighten it to 19nm. I approximated this since I was using a wrench and the transmission was warm.

15. Turn the car off, make sure everything is good before you lower it, and take it for a test drive. Verify everything is in working order. Now put the car back in the air and verify there are no leaks. Re-install the under panels (hand tight) and clean up shop.

Sidebar:

So here was my fluid. I am going to be sending it to Blackstone Labs for analysis to try and estimate an appropriate service interval. I will post back with the results. It appears 50k miles may have been too long on the original fluid judging by its color. It did not smell burnt though so that's good.



You can’t tell the fluid used to be red.



The stuff the magnet caught



And the stuff the filter caught. The new one looked like woven cotton. The old one is full of gunk.



UOA results show potential break in material in the fluid but nothing alarming. In fact they recommended a longer service interval next time around. I posted results in this thread.

Last edited by Rated-M3; 06-18-2014 at 07:37 PM..
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      06-11-2014, 06:12 PM   #2
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Thanks for this!

Lifetime fill
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      06-11-2014, 09:29 PM   #3
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Great DIY. I will be using this soon! Very specific and detailed.
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      06-18-2014, 07:35 PM   #4
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I hope it serves everyone well. Oddly, I found the DIYs for E9x cars with same transmission afterwards by searching 6L45 instead of GA6L45R. Ignore some of the responses in said DIY thread.

Last edited by Rated-M3; 06-18-2014 at 07:43 PM..
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      08-11-2014, 09:25 AM   #5
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Did a drain and refill over the weekend at a little past 2k miles (& 1 autocross with 2 drivers) since the filter and fluid change outlined in this DIY. Fluid was a transparent brownish-red which was encouraging. Still had a slight scent of freshness as to what you smell in a new bottle. Here's to hoping this trans goes the distance.
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      04-03-2015, 12:45 AM   #6
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Curious as to why you refer to this as an auto-tragic transmission?? Wasn't sure if you were just referring to automatics in general or this specific transmission but I can tell you, I am looking at this DIY now after reaching 100,000 miles and am not even in a rush. I am very particular about my fluid changing intervals and surely agree with engine oil every 3-5,000 miles but I do not agree with transmission fluid changes before 100,000 being absolute necessity. The transmission has no risk of oil contamination unlike engine oil and I've seen automatics go 350,000 plus with no fluid change. Of course, my BMW means more to me than any other car I've ever owned but I do trust that when they label something as "lifetime," 100,000 miles will do. They know much better than I AND it is not a conspiracy having to do with no cost maintenance like many believe of the oil change intervals...especially on a 128i...this is not a race car. Anyway, at 100,000 miles, my transmission still operates flawlessly with no drain as of yet. I will be doing it as soon as the weather stabilizes out but not sure I agree with the term "auto-tragic." I thought this post on bimmerforums.com was funny:

"...and yes GM is a stronger transmission in the context of the ZF vs GM. However, the GM is not without some hiccups either."

I truly believe that people are just worried about the GM name but honestly, the majority of what fails in a US vehicle made by GM was manufactured in the US by idiots, not France.
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      12-30-2018, 12:04 PM   #7
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Really well done!!

I have a 2011 128i with an automatic and I can't seem to determine which transmission it has - GM or otherwise? It all works just fine, but ready for a fluid change.

Supposedly the build date was 12/2010.

Thanks for any help in advance!

Dan
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      12-30-2018, 01:35 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fairlane View Post
Really well done!!

I have a 2011 128i with an automatic and I can't seem to determine which transmission it has - GM or otherwise? It all works just fine, but ready for a fluid change.

Supposedly the build date was 12/2010.

Thanks for any help in advance!

Dan
This website will give you your transmission type:
http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi
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      12-30-2018, 03:22 PM   #9
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A good source for BMW AT trans fluid kits is... The California Transmission Supply Company.


www.thectsc.com/catalog/6-speed-bmw-61.html


fairlane I believe all 128i's with the 6 speed auto used a GM trans made in France. For the 135i's 6 speed autos, they used a ZF German made trans.

Good Luck,
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      12-30-2018, 05:09 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marc08EX View Post
This website will give you your transmission type:
http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi
GA6L-45R which is the GM 6-speed.

Thanks!
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      12-30-2018, 05:10 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
A good source for BMW AT trans fluid kits is... The California Transmission Supply Company.


www.thectsc.com/catalog/6-speed-bmw-61.html


fairlane I believe all 128i's with the 6 speed auto used a GM trans made in France. For the 135i's 6 speed autos, they used a ZF German made trans.

Good Luck,
Dackel
Thanks for the help (and the lead on parts)!
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      06-15-2020, 09:05 AM   #12
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Old thread, but recently did this change on my car (2012 128I with GM GA6l45R). We had a ton of trouble getting the fluid back in. It only took about 2 qts the first pump. After turning car on, running through gears, getting warm, and turning off, it wouldn't take any more.

After a lot of research and calling some friends, we turned the car on and filled another 2-3 while it was on and then ran through the gears (shifting into all gears while foot on break). After that, it took another 1-1.5 and was up to about 6 total.

Just wanted to save anyone a headache if they read this and have trouble getting the last few qts of fluid in. Trick is to finish the fill while the car is on. Be careful for the hot exhaust parts!
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      06-15-2020, 10:13 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmcgovern2 View Post
Old thread, but recently did this change on my car (2012 128I with GM GA6l45R). We had a ton of trouble getting the fluid back in. It only took about 2 qts the first pump. After turning car on, running through gears, getting warm, and turning off, it wouldn't take any more.

After a lot of research and calling some friends, we turned the car on and filled another 2-3 while it was on and then ran through the gears (shifting into all gears while foot on break). After that, it took another 1-1.5 and was up to about 6 total.

Just wanted to save anyone a headache if they read this and have trouble getting the last few qts of fluid in. Trick is to finish the fill while the car is on. Be careful for the hot exhaust parts!
To get the correct amount of fluid in, the (ATF) temperature needs to be within 30 to 50 deg C and the car is running. Either need a scan tool or some sort of infrared sensor to determine the temp.
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Last edited by gjm120; 06-15-2020 at 10:15 AM.. Reason: clarification
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      06-22-2020, 12:22 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gjm120 View Post
To get the correct amount of fluid in, the (ATF) temperature needs to be within 30 to 50 deg C and the car is running. Either need a scan tool or some sort of infrared sensor to determine the temp.
Yup. The original post only indicated getting it warm and then turning car off. Took a while to figure out you actually need to leave the car on to get the remaining fluid in. Just trying to save anyone time if they're reading this post
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      07-07-2020, 01:00 PM   #15
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can i use the following oil?
Liqui Molly Top Tec 1800 or Top Tec 1800R?
or should i just get everything from BMW?
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      09-28-2020, 11:13 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by golfer23rm View Post
can i use the following oil?
Liqui Molly Top Tec 1800 or Top Tec 1800R?
or should i just get everything from BMW?
Hey Golfer,

How quarts of fluid did you need for this?

I've just gone through this and can't seem to find any mentioning of it.

In one of the sites listed above where you add the last 7 digits of your vin it says the auto takes 9.5 liters of fluid which seems a bit high as you mentioned you added about 6 to 6.5.

Any ideas?
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      10-10-2023, 11:36 AM   #17
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golfer23rm i just bought the kit from ecs tuning with the atf1800 when i get it and do it i can let u know how it goes, my car has 208k miles
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      10-11-2023, 04:53 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Semi Rifle View Post
golfer23rm i just bought the kit from ecs tuning with the atf1800 when i get it and do it i can let u know how it goes, my car has 208k miles
Thanks!

post some photos.

also what is all in the kit?
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      10-11-2023, 04:54 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///Makis View Post
Hey Golfer,

How quarts of fluid did you need for this?

I've just gone through this and can't seem to find any mentioning of it.

In one of the sites listed above where you add the last 7 digits of your vin it says the auto takes 9.5 liters of fluid which seems a bit high as you mentioned you added about 6 to 6.5.

Any ideas?
none haha

my mech says around 7L
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      10-11-2023, 11:31 AM   #20
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golfer23rm comes with fluid, gasket, drain and fill plug. Was $160 from ecs, supposed to get it today so maybe today or tm ill b doing it
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      10-13-2023, 07:38 AM   #21
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golfer23rm update did the fluid n filter change, old fluid was really bad but my trans is acting up even worse. Gonna try to add lubeguard after eork and hope it brings it back. Im also hearing a weird sound i think it might be my torque converter.
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      10-13-2023, 08:00 AM   #22
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did you run the adaption with inpa afterwards?
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