Scanner to read auto gearbox oil temp - Advice please?

[Zummerset]

Hi,
I was hoping someone with a bit more tech knowledge than me could advise please?
I want to change the Auto gearbox oil on my E86. I need to be able to read the oil temp whilst it's running as there is a temperature window, within which the oil level needs to be checked.
I'm not much up on modern cars so struggling to work out what scanner or reader would do the trick. Having used forum 'Search' function I'm even more confused. INPA, ISTA, Scanner 1.4??? I don't really know what they are or how to get hold of them, or even if they can read the Gearbox oil temp.

Can anyone suggest the best thing to use to read the temp and where to get it from please? (If it can be the cheaper end of the spectrum, that would help!)

Cheers all,
Andy.

 

[j3nks79]

Buy yourself one of these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/362215107599?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=fDvqsJL3T0m&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=pHx5nMAURgO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[Zummerset]

I did actually buy one of these for this very purpose.
However as the temperature range is fairly critical I'm concerned that pointing the gauge at the plastic sump will give a false reading. In as much, the sump will heat up slower than the oil contained within, so by the time the sump reaches the critical 50 degrees C max for checking the level, the oil inside will be significantly higher.

The only way I can see it being accurate is if someone could read the actual oil temp with a scanner at say 50 degrees, what is the corresponding sump temp reading with the infra red gauge?

Am I getting too concerned with the temp? :-?

 

[j3nks79]

You are overthinking it.
I’ve done many of these over the years and never had a problem.

 

[Zummerset]

Hmmm, yes you are probably right.

I guess as long as the sump reads 30 degrees (bottom limit), check the level then. The oil inside will be a bit hotter but not at the cut off point of 50 degrees (top limit). Just need to work reasonably quickly.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Zummerset]

Out of interest, did you worry about re-setting transmission adaptations after a fluid change? (Not sure what that means, but I've been reading!)

Cheers.

 

[j3nks79]

Never needed to. Just follow the correct steps on filling and running through gears with the car on the lift. Job done.

 

[Zummerset]

Brilliant, thanks for getting back to me. It's good to hear from someone who has actually done the job.
I shall give it a go over the winter.
Then maybe add a XHP remap :wink:

 

[Zedebee]

I don’t think there is an oil temperature sensor in the gearbox sump anyway (I may be wrong), so J3nks’ is the way to go.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

I wouldn't risk it, if the procedure says fill at temp then there will be a reference for that temp. Doesn't matter where it is.

If you say where you are, you might have someone close to help, or just buy a scanner, it will pay for itself.

 

[j3nks79]

There is no risk using a thermal gun. It will give an accurate temp reading on the gearbox.
I’ve done it at my garage on Porsche Mercs BMW and many more over the years.
And every other garage and specialist does it the same way.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

There is no risk using a thermal gun.

Sure there is, the oil will heat up much faster until they reach equilibrium. If the fill range is lower than that then it's going to be incorrect.
If it's in the range then it's just wasting time and fuel to heat it longer than necessary.

And every other garage and specialist does it the same way.

Another reason why people should DIY.

 

[j3nks79]

There is no risk using a thermal gun.

Sure there is, the oil will heat up much faster until they reach equilibrium. If the fill range is lower than that then it's going to be incorrect.
If it's in the range then it's just wasting time and fuel to heat it longer than necessary.

And every other garage and specialist does it the same way.

Another reason why people should DIY.

Oh another forum expert. Ok you crack on

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Oh another forum expert. Ok you crack on

Hardly a rebuttal. I've made a logical statement, no expertise implied.

 

[j3nks79]

Oh another forum expert. Ok you crack on

Hardly a rebuttal. I've made a logical statement, no expertise implied.

My guess is you’ve never serviced an auto gearbox before.
Going by your “logical” statement certainly shows no expertise. But you’re happy to advise people should do it themselves as using a thermal gun isn’t accurate enough :roll:
Have a day off eh.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Can anyone suggest the best thing to use

I don't have an auto E85/6 so can't check to see if this does read the transmission temp. But I do have this code reader and it's a good all in one: Autophix 7910. It displayed transmission oil temp for my F10.

Using my VIN but opening up the automatic transmission section there isn't anything listed about checking the temp on the 6HP, but it may be part of the DIS workflow:

Topping up transmission oil after a repair:

Stand vehicle on a level surface and secure against rolling off.
Undo oil filler plug (1).

Installation note:
Replace the sealing ring.

Top up automatic transmission fluid until it emerges from oil filler opening.
Start engine.
Top up automatic transmission fluid until it emerges from oil filler opening.
Screw in oil filler plug (1).
Tightening torque: 24 11 7AZ.
Press brake pedal to floor and shift through gears 1 to 6 several times at idle speed. Then shift to selector lever position "Park".
Then check oil level.

Checking oil level: Note:
Start the engine before checking the oil level or opening the oil filler plug.

Connect BMW Diagnosis and Information System at vehicle.
Call up Service functions (drive).
Carry out oil level check in accordance with instructions.

The general description of the 6HP includes this:

Up to a transmission oil temperature of approximately 35 C, the converter lockup clutch is neither controlled nor closed.

Which clearly means there is a method for the car and/or box to measure the oil temp.
Why use something indirect, potentially incorrect, to read the temp if there is already a sensor to do it for you?

 

[Scooba_Steve]

My guess is you’ve never serviced an auto gearbox before.
Going by your “logical” statement certainly shows no expertise. But you’re happy to advise people should do it themselves as using a thermal gun isn’t accurate enough
Have a day off eh.

Again, you've not rebutted the point.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Andy.

If you're actually in Somerset I'll be down that way this weekend. Drop me a PM and you can try the Autophix.

 

[j3nks79]

My guess is you’ve never serviced an auto gearbox before.
Going by your “logical” statement certainly shows no expertise. But you’re happy to advise people should do it themselves as using a thermal gun isn’t accurate enough
Have a day off eh.

Again, you've not rebutted the point.

You are clearly on the spectrum. Please just crack on with your £60 code reader and what ever you believe is correct.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Please just crack on with your £60 code reader

What relevance does the cost of a code reader have if it reads the reported temperature required.

what ever you believe is correct

Ironic; the workflow is what is correct, using a different method isn't.

And you've still failed to explain exactly why what I originally said is incorrect. It isn't a question of tool accuracy but indirect measurement.