F16 Transmission oil change

[Bure@]

Hello to everyone. The dealer did transmission pan gasket change under warranty because it was leaking. The only thing that I am worried about is that they added just 2 quarts of oil instead of 7. Any ideas why they used only 2 quarts?

[gvarr03]

They did not follow the proper procedure...idk..2 quarts seems like what it would take after installing the new pan and putting new oil until it runs out when the engine is OFF.

[Bure@]

Originally Posted by gvarr03

They did not follow the proper procedure...idk..2 quarts seems like what it would take after installing the new pan and putting new oil until it runs out when the engine is OFF.

Looks like they did "very professional job "

[turboawd]

Maybe they put your old fluid back in

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by Bure@

Hello to everyone. The dealer did transmission pan gasket change under warranty because it was leaking. The only thing that I am worried about is that they added just 2 quarters of oil instead of 7. Any ideas why they used only 2 quarters?

Be careful, when I bought mine, the previous owner must have went to the same dealer as you as the transmission would go into neutral and give a drivetrain error on steep downhill roads it was so low on oil. Not fun.

Average oil change will use 3.5 to 4 liters. Only using 2 is way to low and indicates they only filled it with the engine off.

All ZF8HP transmissions made have to have the final filling procedure done with the engine running and after the rpm was brought to 2500rpm for 30 seconds while in park, plus shifting through all gears in idle and transmission temp has to be below 120 degrees if memory serves. Whoever did yours didn't know what they were doing if they only used 2 quarts.

The reason why it has to be done with the engine running is as soon as you turn it off, oil runs out of the torque converter back into the pan and will give you a false full oil reading.

[Bure@]

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

Be careful, when I bought mine, the previous owner m just have went to the same dealer as you as the transmission would go into neutral and give a drivetrain error on steep downhill roads it was so low on oil.

Average oil change will use 3.5 to 4 liters. Only using 2 is way to low and indicates they only filled it with the engine off.

All ZF8HP transmissions made have to have the final filling procedure done with the engine running and after the rpm was brought to 2500rpm for 30 seconds while in park, plus shifting through all gears in idle and transmission temp has to be below 120 degrees if memory serves. Whoever did yours didn't know what they were doing if they only used 2 quarts.

I will call them tomorrow to ask what they did

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by Bure@

I will call them tomorrow to ask what they did

I am mobile right now otherwise I would just post it again but if you search the forums, you will find the actual ZF oil change procedure document, I would download it and read up on it and then grill them on it. Its impossible for it to use only 2 quarts unless it's a typo. Until then be careful of any steep downhill drives. Transmission will probably feel ok like mine did on normal driving so it's deceptive when it's low on oil.

[Picasso]

2 quarts is way off. Even if they did a slack job and only filled it once while engine was off - it should still take in about 3 quarts at the very minimum. So something is not right here.
After that 3 quarts, you need to warm up engine and transmission and run through each gear and then you can add another 1-1.5 quart. So all in it will take about 4-4.5 quarts.

Unless as it was suggested, they put old oil back in, but for a dealership that's a big no no.

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

Be careful, when I bought mine, the previous owner must have went to the same dealer as you as the transmission would go into neutral and give a drivetrain error on steep downhill roads it was so low on oil. Not fun.

Average oil change will use 3.5 to 4 liters. Only using 2 is way to low and indicates they only filled it with the engine off.

All ZF8HP transmissions made have to have the final filling procedure done with the engine running and after the rpm was brought to 2500rpm for 30 seconds while in park, plus shifting through all gears in idle and transmission temp has to be below 120 degrees if memory serves. Whoever did yours didn't know what they were doing if they only used 2 quarts.

The reason why it has to be done with the engine running is as soon as you turn it off, oil runs out of the torque converter back into the pan and will give you a false full oil reading.

That's a scary thought if the dealer didn't know how to fill the trans.

[devlinsky]

My dealer also has a procedure, that advises the mechanics to put back the old fluid in case of any transmission related jobs regardless of the mileage.

[LarryM4C]

procedure is here:

https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...f+transmission

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by devlinsky

My dealer also has a procedure, that advises the mechanics to put back the old fluid in case of any transmission related jobs regardless of the mileage.

Wait what?!?! Did I read that right, put back in the OLD USED fluid regardless of milage?!?!!

[Bure@]

So guys, I called them today. They told me that my oil was good and clean enough to reuse it, and they added only 2 quarts of new fluid. I don't like that but at this point where is nothing to do.

[devlinsky]

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

Wait what?!?! Did I read that right, put back in the OLD USED fluid regardless of milage?!?!!

Yes indeed. Little shocking, but I've heard that first hand from a friend of mine who works at the dealership as a mechanic. For obvious reasons, no details regarding the location can be revealed.

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by Bure@

So guys, I called them today. They told me that my oil was good and clean enough to reuse it, and they added only 2 quarts of new fluid. I don't like that but at this point where is nothing to do.

Disturbing but better then being low on oil. Perhaps they do this when under warranty to save themselves a buck, BMW transmission oil is 200 dollars a quart, EXACT same oil direct from the manufacturer ZF is about 25 a quart. How many miles on your X5?

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by devlinsky

Yes indeed. Little shocking, but I've heard that first hand from a friend of mine who works at the dealership as a mechanic. For obvious reasons, no details regarding the location can be revealed.

Could you ask if they only do this when the service under warranty? I have a feeling if it's out of warranty they will be more then happy to put in new oil at the owners cost but reuse old oil when it's under warranty to save themselves money.

[Bure@]

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

Disturbing but better then being low on oil. Perhaps they do this when under warranty to save themselves a buck, BMW transmission oil is 200 dollars a quart, EXACT same oil direct from the manufacturer ZF is about 25 a quart. How many miles on your X5?

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

Disturbing but better then being low on oil. Perhaps they do this when under warranty to save themselves a buck, BMW transmission oil is 200 dollars a quart, EXACT same oil direct from the manufacturer ZF is about 25 a quart. How many miles on your X5?

2016 x6, 38k miles. It's a third party extended warranty, And they told me that is very good company and they pay with no questions, but on another side dealer used my old fluid.

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by Bure@

2016 x6, 38k miles. It's a third party extended warranty, And they told me that is very good company and they pay with no questions, but on another side dealer used my old fluid.

38k is still within spec as ZF doesn't recommend oil change until 60k or more so I guess reuse of the oil isn't that big of a deal assuming they were absolutely meticulous about not contaminating it. Still kinda raises an eyebrow though.

[devlinsky]

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

Could you ask if they only do this when the service under warranty? I have a feeling if it's out of warranty they will be more then happy to put in new oil at the owners cost but reuse old oil when it's under warranty to save themselves money.

Sure I will

[Picasso]

That's like vomiting food and then eating it again because it's still good enough you know, still has some nutrients left. Damn. 2020 United States of America and it's a BMW dealership ladies and gentlemen. Now I've seen it all.

Oh wait. It's UK/EU? Then I guess it's kinda ok-ish? Probably dealers have different approach.

[Bure@]

Originally Posted by Picasso

That's like vomiting food and then eating it again because it's still good enough you know, still has some nutrients left. Damn. 2020 United States of America and it's a BMW dealership ladies and gentlemen. Now I've seen all.

That's true. They told me "lifetime fluid".
USA market

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by Picasso

That's like vomiting food and then eating it again because it's still good enough you know, still has some nutrients left. Damn. 2020 United States of America and it's a BMW dealership ladies and gentlemen. Now I've seen it all.

Oh wait. It's UK/EU? Then I guess it's kinda ok-ish? Probably dealers have different approach.

It's not that bad. Most dirt or particles would have been on the pan or in the filter which got discarded.