Gearbox oil change
- Thread starter domsz4
- Start date
Attleborough, Norfolk
Same as any other gearbox really. Undo fill plug followed by drain plug (not the other way round), one underneath, one up on the side. Put drain plug back, wangle oil uphill into fill hole[1] until it starts coming out again.
Box takes about 1.5 litres (can't remember spec.)
[1] Choice of using the 1l squirty bottles with pull out nozzle the oil comes in or a long length of pipe that fits in the filler and a funnel attached to the other end.
Box takes about 1.5 litres (can't remember spec.)
[1] Choice of using the 1l squirty bottles with pull out nozzle the oil comes in or a long length of pipe that fits in the filler and a funnel attached to the other end.
Just had a look and I used Comma 75W GL-4 spec from Halfords. Some people use ATF, some MTF.
deffo easy lol.The very late diffs (2007 or 8 onwards) came without a drain plug.
What oils are people using? 136k on mine and no idea if it's ever been changed. 
Yes, just reuse the same ones.
Eindhoven NL
Because they're large flange jobs they can really bed down and need a jolly good heave to move them. If the socket bit isn't fully home or a good fit then there's a danger of ripping the socket out of the plug. Did that with the fill plug of the X5 once and after I'd drained it. Had to thump it round with a chisel. Whoops.
On the other hand, did the 3er and Z4 without batting an eyelid.
On the other hand, did the 3er and Z4 without batting an eyelid.
I watched the same video before addressing my E86 manual transmission fluid change - but with the hex bit well-seated the plugs came out pretty easily. On the other hand, I'm fortunate that my 2006 coupe hasn't been driven in winter, so road salt corrosion wasn't operating on them. I used new plugs mostly because I had ordered them ahead.
I used BMW MTL2 for my transmission fluid change a year ago. It improved shift feel a bit, but mine was not bad before.
I have no experience with Ravenol. In the US, they are relatively new, though they have a history of over 75 years in Germany. I did a quick Google search, and found some discussion on "Bob Is the Oil Guy" forum. They seem to be a reputable supplier of high performance fluids, but that's all I have for you. Maybe others can chime in with personal experiences.
I have no experience with Ravenol. In the US, they are relatively new, though they have a history of over 75 years in Germany. I did a quick Google search, and found some discussion on "Bob Is the Oil Guy" forum. They seem to be a reputable supplier of high performance fluids, but that's all I have for you. Maybe others can chime in with personal experiences.
Just done my gearbox oil.
17mm socket with extension and I struggled to loosen both plugs - not sure why these were so tight.
For me it was just shy of 1L to drain and I put whole liter back (minus tiny spill) - I had car slightly tillted up from fill plug side, so potentially 200ml was sloshed to side.
17mm socket with extension and I struggled to loosen both plugs - not sure why these were so tight.
For me it was just shy of 1L to drain and I put whole liter back (minus tiny spill) - I had car slightly tillted up from fill plug side, so potentially 200ml was sloshed to side.