Rear Differential Oil Change

[Rizel23]

Dear all,

Looking to change on my E85 3.0 2004

Can anyone pleas advise;

1. Oil type
2. Amount required
3. New washers/bolts required?

Thanks

 

[PDJ]

Does it have a drain plug? Some don’t.

Approx 1.2ltrs so buy 2ltrs and you can spill some down your arm to your elbow as you struggle to get it in the diff.

I have changed the oil in 3 BMW. Diffs in the last 2 years and reused the plugs and seal washers but would be wise to have a spare seal washer (two of if you have a drain plug)

Always remove the fill plug first then the drain

You will need something to get the oil back in the diff

Oil type use the oil finder on opie oils web site

 

[Rizel23]

Does it have a drain plug? Some don’t.

Approx 1.2ltrs so buy 2ltrs and you can spill some down your arm to your elbow as you struggle to get it in the diff.

I have changed the oil in 3 BMW. Diffs in the last 2 years and reused the plugs and seal washers but would be wise to have a spare seal washer (two of if you have a drain plug)

Always remove the fill plug first then the drain

You will need something to get the oil back in the diff

Oil type use the oil finder on opie oils web site

Many thanks local indie doing it so will grab some washers as supplying all parts. Thanks

 

[PDJ]

Many thanks local indie doing it so will grab some washers as supplying all parts. Thanks

But you will miss the smell of EP oil on your arm for a couple of days, it is part of the fun they said.....

 

[colb]

Always have sealing washers at the ready when you do this job, they are alloy and corrodee over the years. Took one off a 2.2 and it was like lace. Washers are A22X27-AL Part Number 07119963355
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BT32-EUR-07-2003-E85-BMW-Z4_25i&diagId=33_1147

 

[Rizel23]

Thanks also having gearbox oil.

Thinking for gear box a mix 60/40 Red Line D4 ATF & Red Line MTL

Would x3 946ml be enough for gearbox and diff?

 

[Old-Duckman]

Thanks also having gearbox oil.

Thinking for gear box a mix 60/40 Red Line D4 ATF & Red Line MTL

Would x3 946ml be enough for gearbox and diff?

Why would you use a mix. Redline recommends D4 ATF for the gearbox. IMO their engineers know more than I do, I didn’t question them...I bought a gallon of D4 ATF for the transmission and a gallon of 75W90 for the rear end for the Z4. Haven’t gotten around to doing it yet but it will happen soon.

I used the same products in my ‘98’ Z3, I used one of those squeeze type ketchup bottles that you see at picnics to fill them but since bought a transfer pump...If that doesn’t work then it’s back to the ketchup bottle. As I recall in the Z3, I didn’t use a full 2 quarts for each. In other words a gallon is over kill but... I’ll have extra!

 

[Rizel23]

Thanks also having gearbox oil.

Thinking for gear box a mix 60/40 Red Line D4 ATF & Red Line MTL

Would x3 946ml be enough for gearbox and diff?

Why would you use a mix. Redline recommends D4 ATF for the gearbox. IMO their engineers know more than I do, I didn’t question them...I bought a gallon of D4 ATF for the transmission and a gallon of 75W90 for the rear end for the Z4. Haven’t gotten around to doing it yet but it will happen soon.

I used the same products in my ‘98’ Z3, I used one of those squeeze type ketchup bottles that you see at picnics to fill them but since bought a transfer pump...If that doesn’t work then it’s back to the ketchup bottle. As I recall in the Z3, I didn’t use a full 2 quarts for each. In other words a gallon is over kill but... I’ll have extra!

opieoils recommends a mix;

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=88064&start=15

They are very knowledgable on on BMW so going to run with them, @104k everything will help

 

[Old-Duckman]

Thanks also having gearbox oil.

Thinking for gear box a mix 60/40 Red Line D4 ATF & Red Line MTL

Would x3 946ml be enough for gearbox and diff?

Why would you use a mix. Redline recommends D4 ATF for the gearbox. IMO their engineers know more than I do, I didn’t question them...I bought a gallon of D4 ATF for the transmission and a gallon of 75W90 for the rear end for the Z4. Haven’t gotten around to doing it yet but it will happen soon.

I used the same products in my ‘98’ Z3, I used one of those squeeze type ketchup bottles that you see at picnics to fill them but since bought a transfer pump...If that doesn’t work then it’s back to the ketchup bottle. As I recall in the Z3, I didn’t use a full 2 quarts for each. In other words a gallon is over kill but... I’ll have extra!

opieoils recommends a mix;

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=88064&start=15

They are very knowledgable on on BMW so going to run with them, @104k everything will help

Hmmmm interesting, sorta makes sense too. Probably something RedLine wouldn’t suggest since a supplier could not control what the consumer does. Its got me thinking though.

 

[Piper1]

Many thanks local indie doing it so will grab some washers as supplying all parts. Thanks

But you will miss the smell of EP oil on your arm for a couple of days, it is part of the fun they said.....

did no one else read this?

 

[biojo]

I just used

RED LINE Synthetic Manual Transmission Lubricant MTL 75W-80 GL4 ,tried the Fusches which was better than standard, but still got odd notchy gear change

Used Redline diff oil too.

one thing to remember is redlines sold in quartz so not quite a litre

i know a few sites recomend mixing oils, but never tried it myself

 

[Rizel23]

I just used

RED LINE Synthetic Manual Transmission Lubricant MTL 75W-80 GL4 ,tried the Fusches which was better than standard, but still got odd notchy gear change

Used Redline diff oil too.

one thing to remember is redlines sold in quartz so not quite a litre

i know a few sites recomend mixing oils, but never tried it myself

Thanks how much oil did both gear box and diff take?

 

[biojo]

my diff didnt have a drain, so have to syphon it out and pump new in, 1quarts was just enough. if uve drain u might need more

info i got off indy was, again gear boz i think 2 qaurtz was just enough as it started to overflow

Gearbox oil - 2l (LT3 oil)
Diff oil - 1l (SAF-XO)