[007_e350]

Hey guys, looking to do this soon - questions:
- Can I just use Castrol 75w-90 oil ? ZF fluid is expensive but if its needed I will
- ZF Filter pan, should I just buy from Tomkinson (186+ 30 for gasket) vs Amazon ($96 with gasket) .. same part no.
- Bolts are freaking expensive, reuse the same if condition looks good after taking off ?
- There are some talks abt mechatronic sleeve, I have no idea if this needs to be swapped or just use caution while changing out pans

thanks

[thestein1016]

I would do everything if you are already doing the pan.
I used zf when I did mine. As far as where to buy, I would buy where it's cheaper.
Check autohausze for the bolts

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by 007_e350

Hey guys, looking to do this soon - questions:
- Can I just use Castrol 75w-90 oil ? ZF fluid is expensive but if its needed I will
- ZF Filter pan, should I just buy from Tomkinson (186+ 30 for gasket) vs Amazon ($96 with gasket) .. same part no.
- Bolts are freaking expensive, reuse the same if condition looks good after taking off ?
- There are some talks abt mechatronic sleeve, I have no idea if this needs to be swapped or just use caution while changing out pans

thanks

You are mixing up gear (diff) oil with trans fluid. We run 75W in the diff, but that is a separate ball of wax than the trans. I run Redline D4 in both my ZF6HPs and am fond of it, but that is just my preference.

I would strongly recommend you do a full 6AT service. So a new pan, new fluid, and a new mechatronics sleeve. The sleeve is not expensive at all and is good insurance.

I did the first full service at 50K and will be doing it every 30K from here on out.


Edit: I bought everything needed as a pre-made package from ECS. Want to say it was like $200 or so for fluid and a new pan/filter, but don't quote me on that.

[Wes335XI]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

You are mixing up gear (diff) oil with trans fluid. We run 75W in the diff, but that is a separate ball of wax than the trans. I run Redline D4 in both my ZF6HPs and am fond of it, but that is just my preference.

I would strongly recommend you do a full 6AT service. So a new pan, new fluid, and a new mechatronics sleeve. The sleeve is not expensive at all and is good insurance.

I did the first full service at 50K and will be doing it every 30K from here on out.


Edit: I bought everything needed as a pre-made package from ECS. Want to say it was like $200 or so for fluid and a new pan/filter, but don't quote me on that.

Awesome. I'm going to order mine this weekend from them then. $200.00 isn't bad and getting that stupid sleeve replaced too will be a nice piece of mind.

[007_e350]

Guys I ordered from Amazon - ZF Pan Filter, gasket - $96
a fellow member recommended, great price!

['02onthebrain]

There is much debate about the fluid choice but for what it is worth my buddy who is a BMW master tech swears by the ZF lifetime fluid. Perhaps he has been brainwashed by so much BMW training, but he even reuses the fluid when he can on the same car. He says he has seen good cars go bad after changing the fluid. After chatting with him I decided not to change my fluid.

[chris98m3]

Originally Posted by '02onthebrain

There is much debate about the fluid choice but for what it is worth my buddy who is a BMW master tech swears by the ZF lifetime fluid. Perhaps he has been brainwashed by so much BMW training, but he even reuses the fluid when he can on the same car. He says he has seen good cars go bad after changing the fluid. After chatting with him I decided not to change my fluid.

I wanna change mine to. I think I might just change the filter tho

[007_e350]

Originally Posted by '02onthebrain

There is much debate about the fluid choice but for what it is worth my buddy who is a BMW master tech swears by the ZF lifetime fluid. Perhaps he has been brainwashed by so much BMW training, but he even reuses the fluid when he can on the same car. He says he has seen good cars go bad after changing the fluid. After chatting with him I decided not to change my fluid.

I dont know whats wrong with bmw techs ... come on man, there cant be ANY harm in changing fluid - One transmission shop owner told me if ppl changed their trans fuilds we'd go out of business .... I'll give my car new oil and the best one out there

[Stucks]

I've heard of people using redline d6 for better life/performance of the 6at. I know terry has talked about it somewhere. Its supposed to be more shear and heat resistant.

[charrigan]

Use these guys for zf parts. By far the best prices and ship fast. My order shipped same day. I'm surprised more people don't use these guys. Best kept secret on the forums.

$238 for the full service kit. Or you can order just fluid.


www.thectsc.com

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by charrigan

Use these guys for zf parts. By far the best prices and ship fast. My order shipped same day. I'm surprised more people don't use these guys. Best kept secret on the forums.

$238 for the full service kit. Or you can order just fluid.


www.thectsc.com

Thats expensive. I just scored an oil pan new for $58.00 dlls on Ebay and will use the Castrol/Import multi-vehicle automatic transmission fluid #06814 found on Auto Zone, 7 qts for $48.99 so, all together for about $110.00.

[ferocity02]

I got a genuine ZF pan for about $100 and 6qt of Pentosin ATF-1 for $60. The eBay seller has one set left, it's going quickly: http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-pk-1-Liter...330554&vxp=mtr

While you're in there you should also change the mechatronics sleeve, about $20 for the part.

[007_e350]

Originally Posted by ferocity02

I got a genuine ZF pan for about $100 and 6qt of Pentosin ATF-1 for $60. The eBay seller has one set left, it's going quickly: http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-pk-1-Liter...330554&vxp=mtr

While you're in there you should also change the mechatronics sleeve, about $20 for the part.

why dont u put in original ZF fluid, runs $20 a Qrt - I dont wanna take risk with transmission

[ferocity02]

Originally Posted by 007_e350

why dont u put in original ZF fluid, runs $20 a Qrt - I dont wanna take risk with transmission

Pentosin is a more affordable alternative that still meets BMW specs. Redline D4 and D6 also seem to be popular, as well as Motul. Lots of good info in this thread: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=345598

[GoRomeo]

What about Castrol/Import multi-vehicle automatic transmission fluid #06814??

Its even cheaper than Pentosin.

[007_e350]

how abt just peeing in there

[07tundra]

Originally Posted by 007_e350

how abt just peeing in there

I run the D4 also as Pats I got all my stuff from ebay pan, gasket, bolts and that stupid sleeve..lol

The sleeve if aint leaking then dont fix it......lol buy one and have it on stand by.

Fluid I got the Redline D4 as Pats said, you have to do it twice to get all of the oem fluid out.....well almost all. My shifts are smooth and firm I can't complain.

Originally Posted by 007_e350

how abt just peeing in there

That should work, especially if a decent amount of asparagus is consumed before hand. I'd imagine that would add to the viscosity, which would better handle the heat IMO.

Originally Posted by 07tundra

Fluid I got the Redline D4 as Pats said, you have to do it twice to get all of the oem fluid out.....well almost all. My shifts are smooth and firm I can't complain.

How about flushing it through the trans cooler? I've done that in the past with other cars and the procedure should work on this platform as well. Either way, I'll be putting that theory to the test soon and will report back with my findings.

[007_e350]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

How about flushing it through the trans cooler? I've done that in the past with other cars and the procedure should work on this platform as well. Either way, I'll be putting that theory to the test soon and will report back with my findings.

that'll be awesome if you can show how to flush via trans cooler (not the peeing part)

[07tundra]

depending on the fluid that you use in my case Using redline once that goes in and turn everything red you will not know when the old is completely out. I guess it could work when you using the same fluid, you just flush until it comes out clean.

[Big_CG]

Guys, use the proper fluid on your $4800 transmission. Its cheap insurance

ZF Lifeguard 6 or equivalent. Conveniently, I have 12 L for sale total

Originally Posted by 07tundra

depending on the fluid that you use in my case Using redline once that goes in and turn everything red you will not know when the old is completely out. I guess it could work when you using the same fluid, you just flush until it comes out clean.

zf fluid is a light brown color anyway so it should be pretty easy to see it going from brown to red when changing to D4, etc.