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FAQ / REFERENCE => M42 Reference => Topic started by: B318M42W on June 10, 2009, 01:54:33 PM

Title: Manuel tranny ATF...
Post by: B318M42W on June 10, 2009, 01:54:33 PM

just wondering what's the ATF fluid that goes into our 240 tranny's???
taking out the propshaft and noticed that the rear selector seal is leaking :( and since no $$$ to get a new one, will just flush and add some new stuff to it :D

thanks!

Title: Manuel tranny ATF...
Post by: DesktopDave on June 10, 2009, 04:50:45 PM

Yup, it's ATF.  Some do gear oil, some do ATF.  I don't know how you'll flush it though - just drain & refill.  Make sure you open the fill plug first...that way you'll know for sure you can refill it....

Title: Manuel tranny ATF...
Post by: B318M42W on June 12, 2009, 10:34:49 AM

ok, so should i get the new dextron 4 tranny fluid?? or go with dextron 2??? 3??? specific brand??  (the tranny is orange tagged) oh and wich one's the refill plug?? is it the "larger one" on the side that uses a regular socket? or the small one that uses an allan key?

Title: Manuel tranny ATF...
Post by: DesktopDave on June 12, 2009, 12:37:18 PM

I keep hearing good things about Redline D4.  Check out this thread:
http://www.bimmerwerkz.com/forum/3-series-e36/manual-transmission-flush-41884.html

I used Valvoline 140w80? synth gear oil in mine, shifts a little better.  With our cold winters, the synth really helps with cold temps.  I think some others use Royal Purple, but it's pretty expensive.  Odd that the gearbox uses less oil than the diff.

I'm not 100% sure about your gearbox, but mine had a large drain plug on the bottom and a smaller one up on the passenger's side.  They're parts #2 & 12 on this diagram:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AJ93&mospid=47318&btnr=23_0510&hg=23&fg=15
I also bought a cheap little oil pump that made the job SO much easier.  Otherwise I'd have to jack up the car, overfill the tranny, let it down, and watch it waste my $10/qt synthetic oil.

Title: Manuel tranny ATF...
Post by: pbgd3skier on December 15, 2009, 04:09:22 PM

Quote from: DesktopDave;73402

Yup, it's ATF.  Some do gear oil, some do ATF.  I don't know how you'll flush it though - just drain & refill.  Make sure you open the fill plug first...that way you'll know for sure you can refill it....

This holds true for my car,

Go to realoem, enter your serial number, get the transmission diagram.  It will show the sticker for your car, by serial number.

If there is a possibility yours won't take ATF it should show both stickers.