Share my experience: New ATF really helps

Nhe261 · 09-23-2013, 01:53 PM

My 2008 335 E90 just got 50K miles, running good except the transmission will "jump" between 1 and 2. Just like the car was kicked from back. It is getting worse and worse recently.

I did lots of research of the AFT changing and finally decide to use Pentosin ATF-1 as lots of folks have successful results of it. Actaully I orderred Amsiol ATF already but scared by the different color and odor. So I ordered 20L Pentosin ATF-1 on Amazon, $201 with free shipping ($10/L) that's a good deal IMO.

Last weekend I did the first change, just open the drain and filled with the new ATF-1, i got 4L old oil out and pump in about 4.5L (the transmission cover is very oily I think there is some kind of leak, maybe the "jump" issue is low ATF level?). Anyway, after change i drived about 200 miles in all kind of driving, the "jump" issue is gone! The transmission is running much smoother than before.

I will keep driving for a week let the oil mix completely and wash all the bad thing out then do another change with the new filter/pan.
Plan to drop and fill at 15K miles interval later with ATF-1.

BMW's lifetime fluid is a joke. Maybe they are thinking lifetime is 100K. I think if i keep driving my car with the "jump" issue I have to change transmission at 100K or less.

biz77 · 09-23-2013, 03:14 PM

Most likely your mechatronic sleeve is leaking and the low fluid level was causing the issue. Fix the mechatronic sleeve and replace the pan/filter before dumping more fluid in.

Nhe261 · 09-23-2013, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biz77

Most likely your mechatronic sleeve is leaking and the low fluid level was causing the issue. Fix the mechatronic sleeve and replace the pan/filter before dumping more fluid in.

Good to know, i will check. Is there any DIY for it? Hard to replace? Thanks.

biz77 · 09-23-2013, 08:09 PM

It's a pain to get to, but very doable as a DIY. The parts can be found at thectsc.com. This is a known issue with 07/08 cars. There is a very good DIY in the maintenance DIY section. Just search "mechatronic"

F32Fleet · 09-24-2013, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biz77

Most likely your mechatronic sleeve is leaking and the low fluid level was causing the issue. Fix the mechatronic sleeve and replace the pan/filter before dumping more fluid in.

ROFL. +1

Nhe261 · 09-29-2013, 01:28 AM

Ordered the sleeve from ECS tuning, changed today, 3 hours work. One hour for putting the new sleeve in, it's tight and small space. The old one is very loss and leaking.

Changed the pan and new ATF, the old oil is black even it's second time drop. The car has never been that smooth.

09-23-2013, 01:53 PM	#1
Nhe261 Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 201 Posts Drives: 2008 335i 4 door Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	Share my experience: New ATF really helps My 2008 335 E90 just got 50K miles, running good except the transmission will "jump" between 1 and 2. Just like the car was kicked from back. It is getting worse and worse recently. I did lots of research of the AFT changing and finally decide to use Pentosin ATF-1 as lots of folks have successful results of it. Actaully I orderred Amsiol ATF already but scared by the different color and odor. So I ordered 20L Pentosin ATF-1 on Amazon, $201 with free shipping ($10/L) that's a good deal IMO. Last weekend I did the first change, just open the drain and filled with the new ATF-1, i got 4L old oil out and pump in about 4.5L (the transmission cover is very oily I think there is some kind of leak, maybe the "jump" issue is low ATF level?). Anyway, after change i drived about 200 miles in all kind of driving, the "jump" issue is gone! The transmission is running much smoother than before. I will keep driving for a week let the oil mix completely and wash all the bad thing out then do another change with the new filter/pan. Plan to drop and fill at 15K miles interval later with ATF-1. BMW's lifetime fluid is a joke. Maybe they are thinking lifetime is 100K. I think if i keep driving my car with the "jump" issue I have to change transmission at 100K or less. Last edited by Nhe261; 09-23-2013 at 02:01 PM..
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09-23-2013, 03:14 PM	#2
biz77 Captain 216 Rep 633 Posts Drives: 2021 X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Spokane, WA iTrader: (4)	Most likely your mechatronic sleeve is leaking and the low fluid level was causing the issue. Fix the mechatronic sleeve and replace the pan/filter before dumping more fluid in.
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09-23-2013, 08:09 PM	#4
biz77 Captain 216 Rep 633 Posts Drives: 2021 X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Spokane, WA iTrader: (4)	It's a pain to get to, but very doable as a DIY. The parts can be found at thectsc.com. This is a known issue with 07/08 cars. There is a very good DIY in the maintenance DIY section. Just search "mechatronic"
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09-29-2013, 01:28 AM	#6
Nhe261 Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 201 Posts Drives: 2008 335i 4 door Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	Ordered the sleeve from ECS tuning, changed today, 3 hours work. One hour for putting the new sleeve in, it's tight and small space. The old one is very loss and leaking. Changed the pan and new ATF, the old oil is black even it's second time drop. The car has never been that smooth.
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