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Changing autobox filter
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 9:38 am
by oli-b
Can anyone give me a quick guide on how to change to fluid/filter on a 320i autobox. Can it be done without removing box?
Re: Changing autobox filter
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 10:23 am
by ProToZyKo
Yup, there is a drain plug under the gearbox, remove this and oil will come out, when done screw it back then unscrew the pan, 8 screws or something, remove pan, then you can see the filter, big black thing, unscrew it 3 torx screws, filter is now down put in new, put on oil pan, fill it up, let the car go warm, put it in each gear for 2 sec then recheck and refill.
Re: Changing autobox filter
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 2:47 pm
by psychochild187
dont forget new gasket on the pan .
are these gear boxes the same as the later 5 series boxes that if they have long interval since the last change its best not to bother as it does more harm than good.
i had this before on my 5 series
after the oil change it messed the gear box up
you fill it up through the dipstick tube too
Re: Changing autobox filter
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 2:53 pm
by oli-b
Ok cheers for the help.

Re: Changing autobox filter
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 2:57 pm
by ProToZyKo
Well if it messed the box up you probably didn't flush it ;)
I have been told that this is important, don't know if older oil doesn't blend in with new or something.
Re: Changing autobox filter
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 3:06 pm
by psychochild187
no its to do with the wear in the box.
its a known fault with the box on them that, say if the cars done high miles and not got the recomended love to the oil in the box.
dont change it
the zf boz has a ball valve that has wear . but you put new fluid in it allows the ball in the valve to move to much with the wear that is already there.and then gets ,much worse and it goes into melt down .
if you leave the old fluid in ,its thicker and it doesnt get any worse