'06 Auto Transmission flush questions

[Kimber]

So I just got my '06 ZHP vert with automatic transmission. It has 92k miles on it. It seems to shift smoother when I use the "manual mode" then if I let it do it itself. So I wanted to drop the trans fluid and filter. (and maybe the diffs)

I have been reading and reading and I am just a bit confused from it all now. I found this thread (http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=438667) that gives some nice step by step instructions but I wanted to make sure that's what all of you guys are doing.

Is it better and more cost effective to have a shop power flush the trans so you get all the old fluid out? Or will that damage something?

Is it best to use Redline D4 and where are you guys getting it cheap? (or is D6 better?)

Is it ok to use a filter kit that isn't OE BMW? I've seen the kits for around $40 or less, and then the OE BMW kit for like $110 ECS has both (https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0l/Search/24117557070/) for example.

Should I do the differential right away as well? I was seeing a lot of guys talking about doing it, but I figured I would just ask and get everyone's opinion.

Is there anything else I should be getting like a magnetic drain plug I think I saw some people talking about.

What about any other preventative maintenance that would have to do with engine oil or transmission area? I would hate to waste the time and oil if there is something else that I should do before the fluids. Like the VANOS, cooling system overhaul, and other things you guys think I should do to a car with 92k miles on it. Not much preventative items were done by previous owner, and he didn't have any records really. But he did do the valve cover gasket and a couple hoses on the cooling system he said. There are no leaks at least.

I plan on using the Mann engine oil filter, I found this on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Mann-Filter-HU-925-Metal-Free-Filter/dp/B000CB7DG6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_2&smid=AE7WQM24SPUZO), is there abetter place to get it?

And I am going to use Mobil1 from Amazon or wherever I find it cheaper. This is the right stuff (http://www.amazon.com/Mobil-120760-Synthetic-Motor-0W-40/dp/B00HG76A9A/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1461282294&sr=1-1&keywords=mobil1+0w40) correct?

My buddy works at a Dodge dealer and is a very good mechanic. I was going to get him to help me with this transmission and the engine oil because I am assuming it's much easier on a lift.

I really appreciate you guys helping a new owner out in getting my baby all fixed up and running like she was new! I'm going to be doing more preventative items in the near future, but this is where i am going to start for now.

Thanks in advance guys!

[az3579]

If your tranny hasn't been flushed in that long then I wouldn't touch it. The potential to do more harm than good is there.

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[Kimber]

If your tranny hasn't been flushed in that long then I wouldn't touch it. The potential to do more harm than good is there.

Sent from my LG V10 on Tapatalk

Do you mean don't do the power flush, or don't touch the transmission at all?

[Johnmadd]

Definitely not the power flush. I think its safe to drain and replace fluid and filter imo.

[Vas]

I would do a drain, refill, then drain again plus replace the filter in the trans. I used this kit when I did it on a zhp step. https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-transmission-service-kit-24117560575kit

You can also do the diff as well since the car needs to be up in the air. At that point, it is not hard at all to drain the diff and refill it back with fluid. No need for a magnetic drain plug. Save your money. As far as the engine oil and filter, that is the correct parts.

On the cooling system, if it has not been done now is the time to do it. Should be high on the priority list
https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-340196-complete-cooling-system-overhaul-package-1999-2006-e46-323i-325i-328i-330i/?pdk=AQEBAQEBAQEBAQ

[Kimber]

I would do a drain, refill, then drain again plus replace the filter in the trans. I used this kit when I did it on a zhp step. https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-transmission-service-kit-24117560575kit

You can also do the diff as well since the car needs to be up in the air. At that point, it is not hard at all to drain the diff and refill it back with fluid. No need for a magnetic drain plug. Save your money. As far as the engine oil and filter, that is the correct parts.

On the cooling system, if it has not been done now is the time to do it. Should be high on the priority list
https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-340196-complete-cooling-system-overhaul-package-1999-2006-e46-323i-325i-328i-330i/?pdk=AQEBAQEBAQEBAQ

Thanks for the links, that helps a lot. Couple questions for you:

Are you saying to follow the step by step in the link I put above twice? I would keep the old filter in until the 2nd drain/refill correct? (No need to waste a filter) Should I put some miles on the car before doing the 2nd drain/refill?

Do you remember how many quarts you needed when you did the auto you were talking about?

Is the redline D6 really any better than the D4 for basically daily spirited driving (no track)?

So getting the OE BMW trans filter kit is a waste of money? (it's like 4 times more $$$)

What fluid is everyone using for the diff? Is there anything special i need to get or do for this procedure? Any step by step guide?

Cooling system is definitely on top of the list, just want to get this trans/diff out of the way and hope it shifts a little smoother. Then cooling system in a couple weeks.

[Vas]

Thanks for the links, that helps a lot. Couple questions for you:

Are you saying to follow the step by step in the link I put above twice? I would keep the old filter in until the 2nd drain/refill correct? (No need to waste a filter) Should I put some miles on the car before doing the 2nd drain/refill?

Do you remember how many quarts you needed when you did the auto you were talking about?

Is the redline D6 really any better than the D4 for basically daily spirited driving (no track)?

So getting the OE BMW trans filter kit is a waste of money? (it's like 4 times more $$$)

What fluid is everyone using for the diff? Is there anything special i need to get or do for this procedure? Any step by step guide?

Cooling system is definitely on top of the list, just want to get this trans/diff out of the way and hope it shifts a little smoother. Then cooling system in a couple weeks.

Correct. The first time I drained the fluid, filled it back up and drove the car. Next weekend I drained it again, replaced the fluid and filled it back up. Reason I did this was because there is still a good bit of fluid left in the torque converter that does not get drained when you remove the pan. Some people just do it once since you have to buy more fluid. I bought it in the gallon vs individual quarts.

As far as the D4 vs D6, the D6 is more expensive and the biggest difference is the lower viscosity of the fluid. The D4 is approved to be used in our cars and is a good fluid. As far as the filter, I did not see the point of getting the OE BMW one.

For the diff, I did this kit
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-differential-service-kit-33117525064kt4

Simple procedure of just draining it, then filling it back up with a pump. I used a hand fluid pump.

Hope that helps you out.

[Kimber]

Correct. The first time I drained the fluid, filled it back up and drove the car. Next weekend I drained it again, replaced the fluid and filled it back up. Reason I did this was because there is still a good bit of fluid left in the torque converter that does not get drained when you remove the pan. Some people just do it once since you have to buy more fluid. I bought it in the gallon vs individual quarts.

As far as the D4 vs D6, the D6 is more expensive and the biggest difference is the lower viscosity of the fluid. The D4 is approved to be used in our cars and is a good fluid. As far as the filter, I did not see the point of getting the OE BMW one.

For the diff, I did this kit
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-differential-service-kit-33117525064kt4

Simple procedure of just draining it, then filling it back up with a pump. I used a hand fluid pump.

Hope that helps you out.

It sure does thanks so much! But to be clear, you just dropped the trans oil, and refilled, drove a week and then dropped the pan, replaced filter, then refilled? You didn't do the steps in this link (http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=438667) where you run the car and shift thru gears?

The kit you linked gives 8 quarts of the redline D4 (which i will just use rather than spend extra money on D6), will that not be enough to do the fluid swap?

I saw that kit for the diff and will order it along with the kit you recommended for the trans. I also saw these for plugs and fuel filter, what do you think?

NGK Spark Plugs (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi-bmw-mini-porsche-vw-spark-plug-ngk-bkr6equp)

Mahle Fuel Filter (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-fuel-filter-e46-oem-13327512019)

And was going to run this stuff (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/redline-fuel-system-cleaner-83522-60103) after I changed the fuel filter? Good stuff?

[Vas]

It sure does thanks so much! But to be clear, you just dropped the trans oil, and refilled, drove a week and then dropped the pan, replaced filter, then refilled? You didn't do the steps in this link (http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=438667) where you run the car and shift thru gears?

The kit you linked gives 8 quarts of the redline D4 (which i will just use rather than spend extra money on D6), will that not be enough to do the fluid swap?

I saw that kit for the diff and will order it along with the kit you recommended for the trans. I also saw these for plugs and fuel filter, what do you think?

NGK Spark Plugs (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi-bmw-mini-porsche-vw-spark-plug-ngk-bkr6equp)

Mahle Fuel Filter (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-fuel-filter-e46-oem-13327512019)

And was going to run this stuff (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/redline-fuel-system-cleaner-83522-60103) after I changed the fuel filter? Good stuff?

The first time I just did a drain and refill. The second time I went though the complete procedure.

As far as fluid, I ordered 1 complete kit and then 2 gallons of fluid. I believe I still have some left over.

Those plugs and fuel filter are a good choice that is used by many here.

[Scott ZHP]

When you remove the pan, CLEAN it thoroughly. If it has never been removed/cleaned, you may be surprised at the amount of fine sludge in the bottom of the pan, almost like a paste. You want the pan to be spotless, especially around the magnets in the bottom. When you think it's clean, clean it again. Resist the urge to use a rag and wipe off the valve body; let it drip. You do not want any lint or thread or fibers from a rag in the valve body.

When removing the trans filter, there may be TWO seal rings and a spacer on the neck; typically one of the seals stays with the filter and the other one stays in the opening for the neck. Be sure to fish it out with your finger. Lubricate the new seal rings with fresh fluid. I also like to pre-saturate the filter, just pour a few ounces into the filler neck of the new filter and swirl it around. Makes a mess and might be overkill.

I typically don't like to add new fluid without FIRST cleaning the sludge out of the pan. IMO, that's what contributes to failure - the additives in the new fluid breaking up some of this accumulated sludge, and/or the "flush" process stirring this gunk up and circulating it around. If you want to do a dual drain/fill, I'd drain it when warm, drop and clean the pan thoroughly. Replace filter and fluid, drive for a bit. THEN drain it again and refill. You don't want the new fluid stirring up any of the sludge in the pan.

I used to own a Mercedes 190E. That had a drain plug for the converter so you could replace all of the fluid in one shot.

[Kimber]

Thanks everyone for their suggestions and info, I really appreciate it. I'm going to try to get the order in soon and do this stuff in the next week or so.

Do you guys think I should run a bottle of that Redline SI-1 fuel system cleaner thru the gas tank BEFORE changing the fuel filter? I wasn't sure if running the SI-1 after the new filter was installed would put a bunch of junk into the new filter , thus defeating the purpose.

What are your thoughts guys?

[ELCID86]

Never used it (or heard of it) sorry.

[BMWCurves]

I used it when I did a lot of repairs last year, including a fuel filter. I doubt it's doing much to the fuel filter. It's meant to dissolve gunk stuff past the fuel filter, and I doubt the chemical itself will degrade the filter any appreciable amount.

[Kimber]

I used it when I did a lot of repairs last year, including a fuel filter. I doubt it's doing much to the fuel filter. It's meant to dissolve gunk stuff past the fuel filter, and I doubt the chemical itself will degrade the filter any appreciable amount.

That's sort of what I thought as well, but just wanted to make sure so I don't throw a new fuel filter on and ruin it by doing the SI-1 cleaner stuff.

Thanks!

[CTYankee]

Great timing for this thread. I have many of the same questions. Thanks guys!

[Sicily1918]

Thanks everyone for their suggestions and info, I really appreciate it. I'm going to try to get the order in soon and do this stuff in the next week or so.

Do you guys think I should run a bottle of that Redline SI-1 fuel system cleaner thru the gas tank BEFORE changing the fuel filter? I wasn't sure if running the SI-1 after the new filter was installed would put a bunch of junk into the new filter , thus defeating the purpose.

What are your thoughts guys?
I used it when I did a lot of repairs last year, including a fuel filter. I doubt it's doing much to the fuel filter. It's meant to dissolve gunk stuff past the fuel filter, and I doubt the chemical itself will degrade the filter any appreciable amount.Yeah, I use half a bottle every tankful (used 2 bottles the first time I got the ZHP, then 1 per tank for another two fills). I've been using the stuff in my 325 for tens of thousands of miles -- no issues.


As for the transmission, auto ZHPs have a standard GM 5L40-E -- GM's recommended Dexron VI in that transmission since about 2006. I used RedLine D6, but if you don't feel comfortable with that, D4 will do just fine. The tranny ends up taking about 6 quarts every time.

I replaced my ZHP's fluid at 65K (just after I bought it) with RedLine D6, along with the filter. 2500mi later, I replaced the fluid again. I can't feel the shifts at this point. Will do again every 30K from now on.

BTW, you should probably replace the differential fluid as well (I use RedLine 75W90), and regardless of what the literature says, the diffs take about 1.3 quarts, NOT .95.