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Changing Diff Oil
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 2:01 pm
by bigwinn
Hi all
Did search for this but nothing too much info came up
I'm going to change the diff oil in the 316i- but I'm sure I've seen negatives about changing the oil if its been in there a while- eg will do more harm than good:
Views please?
If its necessary (which I'm sure it is to replace as I cant say for sure when it was last done) and the diff is getting a little noisy, whats the best fluid to put in?
TIA
Stu
Re: Changing Diff Oil
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 2:21 pm
by gnrsoul
i changed mine with castrol differential epx 80w/90 its still a bit noisy thou
it worth doing if you dont know how old the oil is in there
Re: Changing Diff Oil
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 2:43 pm
by bigwinn
cheers chap
Re: Changing Diff Oil
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 9:10 pm
by bigwinn
What's the capacity of the diff?
Re: Changing Diff Oil
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 9:12 pm
by Jimbob
Think it's 1.7l for a medium case, could be wrong though..
Re: Changing Diff Oil
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 9:46 pm
by clipper
Top tip: Undo the upper filler plug BEFORE you drain the old oil out of the bottom plug.
Draining the diff then finding you can't get the new oil in is a tad inconvenient.
Re: Changing Diff Oil
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 10:04 pm
by Topblag
clipper wrote:Top tip: Undo the upper filler plug BEFORE you drain the old oil out of the bottom plug.
Draining the diff then finding you can't get the new oil in is a tad inconvenient.
+ 1
The oilman (on here) recommended Castrol Differntial SAF-XJ. BMW slipper diffs are referenced on the notes on the back of the bottle.
Re: Changing Diff Oil
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 10:32 pm
by mcbonio
Oil capacity is 0.9L and yeah its a good thing to change the oil, that rear diff gets noisy.!
I did mine and its now very quiet. Just try not to get the oil on your drive way or skin, it stinks and stays there for a good while.
Re: Changing Diff Oil
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:35 pm
by KimH
+1 for the advice to make sure the fill hole can be opened before you drain it.
Mine was so siezed I rounded the hex socket then smashed the case trying to knock it round using a screwdriver as a chisel. And that was with the diff off the car.
Re: Changing Diff Oil
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:39 pm
by Rav335uk
Topblag wrote:clipper wrote:Top tip: Undo the upper filler plug BEFORE you drain the old oil out of the bottom plug.
Draining the diff then finding you can't get the new oil in is a tad inconvenient.
+ 1
The oilman (on here) recommended Castrol Differntial SAF-XJ. BMW slipper diffs are referenced on the notes on the back of the bottle.
I'm sure you can';t use that on an open Diff Colin.