Transmission Fluid Install question

Originally Posted by Dackelone

My car has a ZF 5HP19 so this is the ZF document I used for guidance. Page four says to have the trans fluid warmed up and in DRIVE or REVERSE. Not park.

I know when I check fluid with the trans only in park... when the ATF spilled out the side when I opened the fill hole/plug. I then ran the trans thru ALL the grears (like it says in this ZF pdf) and then I left the trans in DRIVE and removed the fill plug. I was able to add about 1.5L more ATF!

I would say you need to check your ATF level again.

I'm going to continue to disagree with you.
I have that document too. I think the confusion is generated by their term "parking lock". To me, that means putting the transmission in Park. Perhaps you believe that it means to engage the parking brake?

So I've been reading this thread and contemplating a tranny fluid change as well. The thing is my tranny is so smooth I can't even tell when its shifting. Only way is to look at the rpm and instant mpg gauges to tell me what's going on in there. I'm at 94k on my 03 and don't know.if PO ever did a tranny change. I've watched 3 youtube videos and they all use the PARK to refill method. That's ecs tuning on a 528i, bavauto and bull****corner working on a 3 series. I would hate to do a change then develop tranny issues but I'm getting more confident that if done right my car would be ok. The guy at bull****corner actually does the drain and refill three times until only the.color red is whats draining out. Looks like a more expensive method requiring more quarts of fluid but a surer way to make sure the change is more thorough.

In drive you get about 1/2 quart more was my experience but that could have been due to different temps because I just used my hand to feel pan, next time ill use a thermometer and put in park lol

Update:

Replaced E clutch friction plates, Oil Pump Assembly, and oil tubes. The torque converter is on the way and I will install this next. I am looking for some information on the TC installation though.

How does the TC bolt up to the transmission and then to the flywheel? Is it a perfect fit too? Once I figure out how to get it on transmission, which I assume should be a simple task, but have not seen or read any instruction yet. I will then put entire unit back in car and bolt TC to flywheel after the tranny case is bolted up and secure. My thought is that when you put the 3 bolts in at the flywheel it will pull TC away from transmission?

Sorry I really have no clue how the TC bolts up or where. But I do know you need to pre fill the TC while it sits on your workbench with ATF before installation.

The TC slides onto the transmission input shaft. The outside of the TC should be flush with a straight line strung across the bellhousing of the transmission.

After the transmission case is mounted to the back of the engine block, you install the bolts connecting the engine's flywheel (or flexplate) to the TC. You'll install one bolt at a time, then rotate the crankshaft with the bolt on the front of the engine while watching through the port for the next bolt hole to come around.

FYI- so far tranny is doing fine