Worried about E34 gearbox

[Hammer278]

Dear Sifus,Just an enquiry, 3 weeks ago I did full service to my E34, opening engine and cleaning, ATF fluid, the works. Since then, there's a leak, reddish oil puddle under my car....ATF of course. Mechanic says the valve seal is leaking and need to replace. But haven't got around to it since either I've been busy or he's been busy during the weekends.Since 3 weeks ago, the car hasn't run much, but every week there's a puddle under the car...maybe 6-7 inches in diameter? My question is how long can this go on? It is safe to drive to my mechanics place next Friday? (Another 6-7 inches worth of fluid) As we know, our ATF chamber is quite unique, 2 separate chambers connected, with 1 as storage, and the other where the 6 gearbox valves are located which is the important part. 6 ATF bottles required to fill up, and we used 6 1/2, 3 weeks ago. Does our car give any indication or early signs that oil is running low? Mine's a 96' 520i. So far gearbox feels fine and no issues. But I wouldn't want to be causing irreparable damage without knowing!! :stupid:

 

[Slowcar]

Hi Hammer,
6 to 7 inches every week doesn't seems very much, but too low gear oil level can damage gearbox if it causes gear slippage. But the thing that worries me most is that the colour of the leaking oil is red. Red normally means Dextron III fluid has being used. '96 520i will be using ZF 5HP18 type gearbox with green colour model plate located on the right side (driver side) of the gearbox. This gearbox should used only ZF gearbox fluid or Esso LT71141. This fluid is yellow in colour. My '91 525i was damaged when my mechanic changed to Dextron III. Gearbox burnt all clutches after 6 months. After I send my car to a gearbox sifu in Singapore, he educated me on using the right oil. He overhauled my gearbox and use exclusively Esso LT71141. I did some research on the internet and found many sites warning damage from using Dextron III on ZF gearboxes.

 

[Herbert]

Dear Sifus,

Just an enquiry, 3 weeks ago I did full service to my E34, opening engine and cleaning, ATF fluid, the works. Since then, there's a leak, reddish oil puddle under my car....ATF of course. Mechanic says the valve seal is leaking and need to replace. But haven't got around to it since either I've been busy or he's been busy during the weekends.

Since 3 weeks ago, the car hasn't run much, but every week there's a puddle under the car...maybe 6-7 inches in diameter?

My question is how long can this go on? It is safe to drive to my mechanics place next Friday? (Another 6-7 inches worth of fluid) As we know, our ATF chamber is quite unique, 2 separate chambers connected, with 1 as storage, and the other where the 6 gearbox valves are located which is the important part. 6 ATF bottles required to fill up, and we used 6 1/2, 3 weeks ago. Does our car give any indication or early signs that oil is running low? Mine's a 96' 520i. So far gearbox feels fine and no issues. But I wouldn't want to be causing irreparable damage without knowing!! :stupid:

Suggest you better send in your car and have the valve seal replaced. If you are concerned about insuffcient ATF fluid when driving to your mechanic place, just do a top up of the ATF fluid.

 

[Hammer278]

Hi Hammer,
6 to 7 inches every week doesn't seems very much, but too low gear oil level can damage gearbox if it causes gear slippage. But the thing that worries me most is that the colour of the leaking oil is red. Red normally means Dextron III fluid has being used. '96 520i will be using ZF 5HP18 type gearbox with green colour model plate located on the right side (driver side) of the gearbox. This gearbox should used only ZF gearbox fluid or Esso LT71141. This fluid is yellow in colour. My '91 525i was damaged when my mechanic changed to Dextron III. Gearbox burnt all clutches after 6 months. After I send my car to a gearbox sifu in Singapore, he educated me on using the right oil. He overhauled my gearbox and use exclusively Esso LT71141. I did some research on the internet and found many sites warning damage from using Dextron III on ZF gearboxes.

Wow, no kidding!? But I watched my mechanic service the car and the fluid which he replaced was a dirty red colour so this car has been using it for past 3 years actually.

I'll check it up....thanks for your feedback bro.

 

[Hammer278]

Suggest you better send in your car and have the valve seal replaced. If you are concerned about insuffcient ATF fluid when driving to your mechanic place, just do a top up of the ATF fluid.

Herbert, how do I top up ATF fluid, I gotta get under the car and open the inlet? We need a specific tool for this right?

 

[Slowcar]

Check out this link. http://www.automaticchoice.com/Catalogue/zf5hp18.pdf
Page 4 of 4 talks about recommended oil for ZF 5HP18 with black plate and green plate

 

[Slowcar]

Bro, This link explains the top up procedure. http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/Tranny/SD92-114.pdf

 

[Herbert]

Herbert, how do I top up ATF fluid, I gotta get under the car and open the inlet? We need a specific tool for this right?

Oopsss!! forgotten you have to jack up your car, open refill plug and use a pump to add ATF oil. Should be alright to drive to workshop.

 

[lozo]

is dexron 3 atf backward compatible with dexron 2 ?