E32 Transmission problem

[ag1355]

Dear All,I was just wondering if anyone knows of any reliable and good place to diagnose/service the automatic gearbox for a E32 730i in KL/PJ. From what I understand it uses the ZF4HP22 gearbox. The gearbox has been performing fine until lately, where the gear shifts have now become rougher. Its been about 10000km since I last changed the transmission oil and filter. Could some one please help me out. Thanks a lot.

 

[nsbone]

Do the easy stuff first:1: check ATF level (u need to do this while engine is running and warm) and ensure level is between Hi and Lo...2: cehck the condition the ATF, use white tissue paper, and color shoudl be light red/pink. Use ATF from the bottle to compare.Good luck.ps: you can ask me to check the above for RM50k.rahman

 

[M30revival]

Originally posted by nsbone@Dec 14 2004, 04:29 AM Do the easy stuff first:1: check ATF level (u need to do this while engine is running and warm) and ensure level is between Hi and Lo...2: cehck the condition the ATF, use white tissue paper, and color shoudl be light red/pink. Use ATF from the bottle to compare.Good luck.ps: you can ask me to check the above for RM50k.rahman
Of course it it going to cost RM50K when there is no dip stick for gearbox on a E32!What ATF was used in the previous change? The quality of the transmission oil over time might affect the shift quality.

 

[nsbone]

Of course it it going to cost RM50K when there is no dip stick for gearbox on a E32!
It depends on which year of the e32. Most e32/M30 engine with 4 spd auto (earlier ones) would have dip stick for the auto, like my 1989 e32 730i.

 

[ag1355]

Thank you for your replies. My gearbox does have a dipstick and the level is beyond the maximum notch. I have notified my mechanic of this fact but he says that its not possible to overfill as there is an overflow pipe. I dont quite agree because the dipstick shows that its overfilled. There is also a very slight burnt smell on the oil. I have checked the oil previously but did not note this burnt smell, it must have only happened recently. But 10k km is relatively a short time for the oil and filter to degrade, thats why I worry if the problem could be beyond the oil quality. I used a dexron 3 compliant fluid.Or does it have something to do with the overfilling of the gearbox. Probably some of you might be able to advise me. According to my service manual the oil required for the gearbox is approximately 3 litres without draining the torque converter. If the converter is drained then 7.5 litres is required. I got this info from the internet. Most mechanics that I spoke to said that the gearbox needs at least 7 litres of oil. I suppose each of them drains the converter as well.

 

[nsbone]

It can get overfilled. Overfill makes your gearbox sluggish. So it's good suck out from dipstick a little bit. Buy the small rubber hose from hardware shop and stick it in the dip hole and suck... (make sure you check while engine is running). But overfilled should not "burnt" the ATF.If it's burning smell, then u need to replace the ATF. Any metal particles/debris found too in the ATF (may need more attention/TLC/trans replacement?) I have mine last drained/refill for about 2 years and recently i just drained and refilled with the 3litres u r referring to. So far so good.Why it's burning smell? That's a good question. How about the ATF color, brownish? Best u should drain out as the ATF characteristic might be lost. Do a 3 litres by 3 litres drain/refill. Buy a branded ATF if it's not from BMW ATF. Dont use ATF branded for car manufacture etc Toyota ATF, Nissan ATF etc, even it's dexron III compliant.Some suggested that if u revv the engine at high RPM for prolong time with the gear box at neutral.. blah blah (i think u know?)....

 

[pussy]

ag1355,based on exprecince...do over fill the ATF fluid, can cause the gearbox presure to build up and burn the atf fluid.. it can also cause the gear change to be rough and not smooth.. why not smooth, the oil heated up will cause the solenoids inside to malfunction..so becareful how much of atf you fill...also fill the correct atf fluid.. there's two type of fluids one meant for ZF and GM, the ZF also got two ranges..go and get check..there's a sifu in gearbox i know at Desa Tun Razak industrial area.. very good in GM and ZF gearboxes ..regards.

 

[ag1355]

Thanks guys for your suggestions . I will go and get these things checked out as soon as possible. The funny thing is that the ATF is not brownish but still reddish with the slightly burnt smell. Anyway thanks once again and I will keep you'll updated on my progress.

 

[ag1355]

Well I have changed the ATF and it works fine now. Must have been because of a wrong type of ATF grade. Thank you for all your sugestions.

 

[cforde]

Hi ,
i have just bought a E32 nice condition, but I noticed that trans fluid is blowing back up the dipstick and out into the engine? anyone see this happen before??

 

[M30]

ag1355...good to hear the prob has been solved. My tranny on my E23 used to shift like shit and found out later that my mech poured in dextron 1 or 2 when changing the oil. I replaced the oil after that my self with castrol dextron 3 and it shifts like a dream come true. I usually try to keep the oil level around the middle(when the engine has been warmed or driven for a short while) of hi and low coz i notice that when it is a really hot day the level will rise from the middle to just nicely at the hi mark.

 

[ez77]

Hi ,
i have just bought a E32 nice condition, but I noticed that trans fluid is blowing back up the dipstick and out into the engine? anyone see this happen before??

overflow...change the oil and double-check the dipper is properly tug-in!

 

[boonster]

mine is on the second gearbox and now the second one is diff to shift out of reverse in the cold

should not last very long


sight!

 

[skbmw730il]

Funny! I'm 0s0 new with da 730iL.
I did grabbed, coz its cheap and BIG in size.

ow cum having same problemo ah?
r all da units like that? gearbox problemo?
sus!

 

[M30]

Boonster...sounds like ur tranny is low on tranny fluid. I remember once draining my fluid and the i did not fill enough back which also made the reverse gear not engage. Another of my experience was the clutch pack worn out that made the first and reverse gear slip like slipping the clutch on a manual car.

Best to check the tranny fluid level when it is hot especially after driving. i usually do that and make sure the level is at least 3/4 below the hi mark with the engine running. Anything above the hi mark when hot usually make the gerbox shift like shit(not smooth and very jerky).

 

[skbmw730il]

Transmission

Dear All,
I was just wondering if anyone knows of any reliable and good place to diagnose/service the automatic gearbox for a E32 730i in KL/PJ. From what I understand it uses the ZF4HP22 gearbox. The gearbox has been performing fine until lately, where the gear shifts have now become rougher. Its been about 10000km since I last changed the transmission oil and filter. Could some one please help me out.
Thanks a lot.

I dumped the transmission oil y'day. And refill and replaced the filter with new oil. Evendo, the mechanic said the oil is still new. But I decided to dumped and replaced. It costed RM200 plus labour. Its worthy. The result was that the reverse gear dun kick mo more.. Vheers!!

 

[skbmw730il]

I dumped the transmission oil y'day. And refill and replaced the filter with new oil. Evendo, the mechanic said the oil is still new. But I decided to dumped and replaced. It costed RM200 plus labour. Its worthy. The result was that the reverse gear dun kick mo more.. Cheers!!

 

[skbmw730il]

I've recently replaced the transmission oil.
The oil looks new. But, still, I've decided to replaced it with filter replacement as well, at a cost of RM200
Even my mechanics said the gear box needed replacement or overhaul.
The reverse gear that was kicking etc. Is very smooth now.
But, juz wonder how long it would last.

Sus! Juz when this gearbox problem rectified.
I'm encountering with overheating problem on hand.
Mechanics, said needed top overhaul/complete overhaul etc or replace engine with 735i. Its cheap, gud and plenty. Eg Power wise etc etc.

But, I'm in a dilemma!
Any help mates?

 

[M30]

skbmw730il....how much would the 3.5 transplant cost u???does ur car have a thermostat in the engine. i know mine did not have last time and always overheat in the stand still trafic but ever since i installed a thermostat i never had an issues with overheating.

 

[skbmw730il]

Transmission

Dear All,
I was just wondering if anyone knows of any reliable and good place to diagnose/service the automatic gearbox for a E32 730i in KL/PJ. From what I understand it uses the ZF4HP22 gearbox. The gearbox has been performing fine until lately, where the gear shifts have now become rougher. Its been about 10000km since I last changed the transmission oil and filter. Could some one please help me out.
Thanks a lot.

**Juz replace da gear oil bah. Problem solved..
Need more rectification? Try at MSpeed at Subang Industrial Park TS 6/2.
Look for Ah Meng. Evendo, young, but seem experiened with Beemer.
I allowed em to overhaul my 7sili, waiting for outcome.
Will publish result soon.. Cheers mates!!