Gearbox oil change, gears slightly worse

DanMZe90 · 12-20-2021, 01:59 PM

Hi,

I had my regular local BMW indie replace the gearbox oil in my 2005 E90 330D manual a couple of weeks ago as the car has done 200k and, as I intend to try and keep it for a bit longer, thought it might be a good idea.

Since then I've noticed that it is ever so slightly notchier in lower gear changes, which I initially put down to me being overly sensitive and looking for differences. However, today I took off from work and had to stop in some traffic. I tried to engage first from standstill and had to push hard which eventually went into gear. I had to stop again and the same thing happened. I managed to get it in gear easier this time by going from 2nd and then to first.
I wasn't able to repeat the behaviour on the rest of the 20 mile journey, possibly as everything had warmed up.

I'm wondering what this is...for years I've always had intermittent difficulty engaging reverse and, when I read around the forum, there's plenty of 'normal' difficult shifting straight to first accounts that are resolved by changing behaviour and going from 2nd to first...but I've never had to do that with my car. I guess it could be the gearbox on the way out but I'm wondering why this is happening after a gearbox oil change...inferior fluid...not enough...Any ideas?

Thanks

Dan

Phil325i · 12-20-2021, 02:28 PM

Got to be either the wrong viscosity (should be 75W-90) or an inferior brand. Changing the oil should help improve change quality, not the opposite...

DanMZe90 · 12-20-2021, 02:34 PM

Thanks, that's what I thought. I just find it odd if they put something inferior in than the 16 year old oil in there already!

0l0dom0l0 · 12-21-2021, 03:46 AM

It'll likely take a bit of time for the oil to shear down, so it'll be quite a lot thicker than what came out with the effects amplified by the colder weather at the moment. It might settle down.

Alternatively they've used the wrong oil. Best to ring and ask them what they used.

Smokey33 · 12-24-2021, 09:07 AM

Ask them what oil they used.

Daviebrown · 12-24-2021, 04:20 PM

The symptoms you describe are characteristic of a clutch not fully disengaging, or dragging. Even with the pedal fully down the gearbox internals are still rotating making it difficult for the gears to mesh, putting it into 2nd gear stalls the gearbox easier allowing first gear to mesh, given the mileage on your car it’s probably a coincidence this problem has occured so close to an oil chsnge. Make sure the mat isn’t stuck under the pedal restricting the throw..

timnkoo · 01-17-2022, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokey33

Ask them what oil they used.

This! Will be interesting to hear whether they went away from the Lifeguard....

Daviebrown · 01-17-2022, 10:31 AM

I’d hope they didn’t put lifeguard in it as it’s manual.

12-20-2021, 01:59 PM	#1
DanMZe90 Private First Class 20 Rep 107 Posts Drives: BMW E90 330D SE Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Devon iTrader: (0)	Gearbox oil change, gears slightly worse Hi, I had my regular local BMW indie replace the gearbox oil in my 2005 E90 330D manual a couple of weeks ago as the car has done 200k and, as I intend to try and keep it for a bit longer, thought it might be a good idea. Since then I've noticed that it is ever so slightly notchier in lower gear changes, which I initially put down to me being overly sensitive and looking for differences. However, today I took off from work and had to stop in some traffic. I tried to engage first from standstill and had to push hard which eventually went into gear. I had to stop again and the same thing happened. I managed to get it in gear easier this time by going from 2nd and then to first. I wasn't able to repeat the behaviour on the rest of the 20 mile journey, possibly as everything had warmed up. I'm wondering what this is...for years I've always had intermittent difficulty engaging reverse and, when I read around the forum, there's plenty of 'normal' difficult shifting straight to first accounts that are resolved by changing behaviour and going from 2nd to first...but I've never had to do that with my car. I guess it could be the gearbox on the way out but I'm wondering why this is happening after a gearbox oil change...inferior fluid...not enough...Any ideas? Thanks Dan
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12-20-2021, 02:28 PM	#2
Phil325i Brigadier General 639 Rep 3,215 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	Got to be either the wrong viscosity (should be 75W-90) or an inferior brand. Changing the oil should help improve change quality, not the opposite... __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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12-20-2021, 02:34 PM	#3
DanMZe90 Private First Class 20 Rep 107 Posts Drives: BMW E90 330D SE Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Devon iTrader: (0)	Thanks, that's what I thought. I just find it odd if they put something inferior in than the 16 year old oil in there already!
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12-21-2021, 03:46 AM	#4
0l0dom0l0 First Lieutenant 71 Rep 318 Posts Drives: BMW E92 330i Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	It'll likely take a bit of time for the oil to shear down, so it'll be quite a lot thicker than what came out with the effects amplified by the colder weather at the moment. It might settle down. Alternatively they've used the wrong oil. Best to ring and ask them what they used.
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12-24-2021, 09:07 AM	#5
Smokey33 First Lieutenant 73 Rep 359 Posts Drives: 2009 Black 335i DCT FBO Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Stafford UK iTrader: (0)	Ask them what oil they used.
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12-24-2021, 04:20 PM	#6
Daviebrown Private 13 Rep 81 Posts Drives: Bmw 330D Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	The symptoms you describe are characteristic of a clutch not fully disengaging, or dragging. Even with the pedal fully down the gearbox internals are still rotating making it difficult for the gears to mesh, putting it into 2nd gear stalls the gearbox easier allowing first gear to mesh, given the mileage on your car it’s probably a coincidence this problem has occured so close to an oil chsnge. Make sure the mat isn’t stuck under the pedal restricting the throw..
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01-17-2022, 10:31 AM	#8
Daviebrown Private 13 Rep 81 Posts Drives: Bmw 330D Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	I’d hope they didn’t put lifeguard in it as it’s manual.
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