E46: Gearbox Life

[romeo_v12]

Hey people,A mate of mine had a gbox problem. His revs go down between gears and you get a jerk on and off on lower gears.He sent to workshop to check in Cheras Auto BMW and they found that his gearbox oil was milky, apparently water had been getting into his gbox throught the radiator. Apparently there is a gbox radiator that is next to the normal radiator and if the gasket leaks, then water gets in.He then took it to AB for check in Cyberjaya and they confirmed it. Told him to live with the problem and change gbox oil every 50,000 kms or change gbox to new unit for RM27,000.His is a 2001 e46 318i, silver will full AB history until last year and only 70,000 kms on the clock.How the hell did that happen? We need to know how to avoid things like this.All comments welcomeRomeo

 

[leakwoon]

i checked with AB b4

our gear box no need maintaince

they are rite

cos

















spoil change whole biji lo

 

[BMW9700]

Originally posted by leakwoon@Mar 17 2006, 02:49 PM
i checked with AB b4

our gear box no need maintaince

they are rite

cos

















spoil change whole biji lo

150000kms free inspection for E46

parts to change:

1) replace gearbox
2) replace engine

 

[ALBundy]

Originally posted by romeo_v12@Mar 17 2006, 06:23 AM
Hey people,

A mate of mine had a gbox problem. His revs go down between gears and you get a jerk on and off on lower gears.

He sent to workshop to check in Cheras Auto BMW and they found that his gearbox oil was milky, apparently water had been getting into his gbox throught the radiator. Apparently there is a gbox radiator that is next to the normal radiator and if the gasket leaks, then water gets in.

He then took it to AB for check in Cyberjaya and they confirmed it. Told him to live with the problem and change gbox oil every 50,000 kms or change gbox to new unit for RM27,000.

His is a 2001 e46 318i, silver will full AB history until last year and only 70,000 kms on the clock.

How the hell did that happen? We need to know how to avoid things like this.

All comments welcome

Romeo

Romeo, that is a heat exchanger or more specifically its called a transmission oil cooler. Basically its water cooled and the cooler could be cracked judging from your post.

Try a complete transmission flush (getting all the milky stuff out) and replace it with proper transmission oil. If problem still persists, then 1) dismantle and check the cause and then decide whether to get an used unit or rebuilt, whichever more cost effective.

Rgds

 

[leakwoon]

got friend dun give a damm

just change the filter gasket n ATF at 80k KM

as like other cars on the road.....


he said after changed...so far so good n smooth

but i heard ppl said if u buka the seal n changed

ur gearbox might KABOOM

 

[leakwoon]

there are alot debates

my car CLOCK at 84k KM

i still dik dok dik dok

duno wanna service n virgin open the Gbox


aiksss

 

[Juan Powerblow]

I changed my transmission fluid late last year and felt the gearbox performance improved big time and will be changing again every 20K kms. I think there's no such thing as lifetime oil and the criteria for "lifetime" of a car in Germany is about 5 years. So, after 5 years, the transmission can kaput. Changing the oil should improve the transmission's lifespan, I think. Yes, I'm driving a 2001 E46 and this news is worrying me shitless.

P.S. The most important thing about changing transmission fluids is the appropriate specification of fluids and making sure its sealed properly!

 

[leakwoon]

alrite... i m going to change mine next round of service


** praying hard now **

 

[romeo_v12]

Thanks powerblow,

Good info.

What about the gasket between the oil cooler and radiator...should we change that as well when we change ATF fluid.??

Happy Friday

Romeo

 

[tamade7]

Bought my 2000 328i this Feb. Changed ATF, gasket and filter immediately. Don't know if the drive improved but until now no problem at all. The car clocked 85k when I took over. Am using BMW ATF, gasket and filter.

 

[Toffeeman]

Where do u guys change your ATF? AB does not want to do it due to some silly 'lifetime warranty'. I think we should bring this up with them as a group. If they want to make such a statement, then they should not charge us for new gearbox !

I think the 'lifetime' warranty is a gross misrepresentation to the public ! :angry:

 

[1996E36328i]

the ATF fluid in the gearbox deemed as Lifetime ATF is actually means 100,000km. Don't believe? Call BMW Munich or write to them and ask. It has been misintepretted here locally and misused the word 'lifetime ATF', even by authorised SC. If your gearbox don't koyak, ppl got no biz. All biz tactic for owners to spend money. The ATF is like other oil, it can never and will never last for a lifetime until the earth kabooms. There is always a lifespan. Heat kills the oil Keep it happy by flushing and change the fluid frequently. Why let the gearbox give up earlier when actually it can last longer? And our gearboxes are not cheap to rebuild. The ill effects won't be seen early, it takes a couple of years or quite some mileage before the ill effects is seen or heard.

 

[wglee]

For some it may already be too late - I heard that if you have not changed your BMW ATF by the time you hit 30,000km, you shouldn't replace the ATF because if you do, the gunk within the transmission would work loose and destroy the gearbox! I don't know how true this is.

A few months ago, I overheard an AB senior staffmember telling a customer (who owns an E46 318i) "you don't have to change the ATF for life but if you want us to change the ATF for you, we will do so on the understanding that we will not be held responsible for any consequences".

My E46 owner's manual at page 218 says that the manual gearbox, automatic transmission, transfer box (for 4wd versions) and final drive are "permanently filled" with "no oil changes" needed.

 

[leakwoon]

ohh gosh....i heard tis stori again

sum ppl said if u never change b4

just dont bother it


prepare for a whole gear box replacement

or overhaul

 

[YellowMellow]

what wglee mention: "A few months ago, I overheard an AB senior staffmember telling a customer "you don't have to change the ATF for life but if you want us to change the ATF for you, we will do so on the understanding that we will not be held responsible for any consequences". same i heard it too from the advisor...

Im worried.. with my smg gearbox if kena RM 27k i pengsan for 3 days i think. Im running 70k km rite now.. any idea guys????? :unsure: i dont believe the life warranty statement.....

 

[Toffeeman]

If it is in the manual, does that mean we have a 'legal recourse' to BMW in the event the transmission fails? :yes!:

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Can someone suggest the best place to change ATF with full flush method cos the place I did it isn't ideal since they only let the old oil drip out overnight and I guess it's better to opt for full flush in future.

 

[conan]

Originally posted by Juan Powerblow@Mar 19 2006, 06:34 PM
Can someone suggest the best place to change ATF with full flush method cos the place I did it isn't ideal since they only let the old oil drip out overnight and I guess it's better to opt for full flush in future.

i've seen a machine at some shops that can 'flush' the ATF without having to open the gearbox... but problem is most people don't know how to use the machines. they use the 'trial and error' method :blink:

 

[wglee]

Originally posted by Toffeeman@Mar 19 2006, 05:46 PM
If it is in the manual, does that mean we have a 'legal recourse' to BMW in the event the transmission fails? :yes!:

You may have legal recourse PROVIDED you can prove that the gearbox failure was caused by the fact that the ATF was never changed.

A possible defence to a lawsuit would be that the gearbox failure arose from "normal wear and tear".

 

[wglee]

Originally posted by leakwoon@Mar 19 2006, 05:09 PM
ohh gosh....i heard tis stori again

sum ppl said if u never change b4

just dont bother it


prepare for a whole gear box replacement

or overhaul

For those who are already too late, looks like all they can do is hope for the best and pray that the gearbox doesn't kaput. Hardly a satisfactory state of affairs... :unsure: