DIY Manual gearbox fluid change

Ouroux71 · Post by **Ouroux71** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 8:45 am

I'm looking ahead to getting my list of Winter projects and one of them will be changing the transmission fluid. There are no transmission issues and this is just preventitive maintenance. I know BMW say this is lifetime fluid but we all know their lifetime is the lifetime before you are pushed into buying another car.

So if anyone has done this on a manual please jump in:

Question: Have I correctly identified the gearbox on a 2009 23sdrive as a GS6-17BG ?
Question: Is the capacity is 1.3L?
Question: And should the specification should be MTF-LT2?

Method:

I'll be getting the car lifted level on a car lift so it will be easy to access and the car will be level. Thetransmission will already be warmed up. Refill plug opened up first to confirm it can be refilled after draining. Then drain the old fluid. Clean lower transmission hole area and replace the drain plug with a new one (M18x1.5) 45Nm tightening torque. Clean the area around the refill plug and then fill up with new fluid until it just starts to overflow (or should it just be 1.3L regardless?). Replace the refill plug with another M18x1.5 plug same torque.

Anyone see an error in my specs or methodolgy?

Regards

Mark

tintoverano · Post by **tintoverano** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 9:21 am

all the instructions and details are available here

Ouroux71 · Post by **Ouroux71** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 10:29 am

tintoverano wrote: ↑Wed Sep 09, 2020 9:21 am all the instructions and details are available here

Thanks.
That confirms most of what I thought... I sometimes have difficulty navigating that site but that's what it confirms what I thought although I need MTF-LT3 rather than LT2

Noticed you had the CDV delete in your signature... Still happy you did that? It's on my list of potential mods.

tintoverano · Post by **tintoverano** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 12:31 pm

Ouroux71 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 09, 2020 10:29 am Noticed you had the CDV delete in your signature... Still happy you did that? It's on my list of potential mods.

yes, very much so

don't wait too much

tintoverano · Post by **tintoverano** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 12:33 pm

since you'll be working on the gearbox, check this thread about gearbox leaks

Ouroux71 · Post by **Ouroux71** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 12:57 pm

Thanks. I'll do the gearbox fluid change myself and check for leaks. I think the CDV thing is a DIY operation but it is possible to lose fluid I believe - maybe not much though. Then I can get the brake hoses redone with a brake fluid change done by a local independant.

ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 1:03 pm

I don't think it is necessary to replace the drain and fill plugs with new ones...unless you mash them up taking them out!

tintoverano · Post by **tintoverano** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 1:07 pm

ph001 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 09, 2020 1:03 pm I don't think it is necessary to replace the drain and fill plugs with new ones...unless you mash them up taking them out!

yes, no need at all

BadgerDog · Post by **BadgerDog** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 6:20 pm

Speaking of CDV, is that something that only affects the manual? Or does it exist on the DCT as well?

mr.tourette · Post by **mr.tourette** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 6:51 pm

BadgerDog wrote: ↑Wed Sep 09, 2020 6:20 pm Speaking of CDV, is that something that only affects the manual? Or does it exist on the DCT as well?

Manual only.. dct should be pretty flawless

Ouroux71 · Post by **Ouroux71** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 8:04 pm

Thanks everyone.. No mashing drain/fill plug for me..

BadgerDog · Post by **BadgerDog** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 9:06 pm

mr.tourette wrote: ↑Wed Sep 09, 2020 6:51 pm
BadgerDog wrote: ↑Wed Sep 09, 2020 6:20 pm Speaking of CDV, is that something that only affects the manual? Or does it exist on the DCT as well?
Manual only.. dct should be pretty flawless

Thanks, I thought it might not apply, but wanted to ask!

mcbutler · Post by **mcbutler** » Thu Sep 10, 2020 10:41 am

Always a god idea to drain old oil through a piece of coarse cloth, will reveal any metal debris in the oil that could indicate impending failure (DOOOM)....

Ouroux71 · Post by **Ouroux71** » Thu Sep 10, 2020 11:23 am

I had planned to have a look at the old fluid for signs of chards... Maybe not knowing is best.....

bob4333 · Post by **bob4333** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 6:28 am

mcbutler wrote: ↑Thu Sep 10, 2020 10:41 am Always a god idea to drain old oil through a piece of coarse cloth, will reveal any metal debris in the oil that could indicate impending failure (DOOOM)....

Doesn't the drain plug have a magnet on it.........? Pretty sure my old Land Rover gearbox did.

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