[SunCoast]

Hi there everyone,

This is my first time posting here so I apologize in advance if I posted in wrong spot.

Car is 2005 BMW 525i 100k miles- just bought it with no prior knowledge or maintenance etc, but it looks pretty well taken care of.

The Question...
I am doing a 2 stage drain and fill with Lifeguard 6 oil.

1st stage- drain and fill
After driving it a while lets say 500 miles or so...

2nd stage - drain replace pan filter and fill again

when I drained the pan I got about 6 quarts out, but can only get about 4-4.5 back in before its running out of fill plug.

***I have followed the exact ZF filling procedure- car level, correct temp, running it though the gears.

Why am I not able to get the whole 6 quarts back in?

Just want to make sure I am not damaging the tranny even though according to the procedure it is technically full.

Thanks in advance

 

[Nadhir]

I would say that if it***8217;s not taking anymore then leave it...?

Also, did you notice any change with your transmission? I have an 2007 530 XX with 105k and wanted to do a drain and fill but people are saying transmission may slip afterwards...

 

[SunCoast]

I waited until it cooled down to 35c and then checked it again- this time it was dry and allowed me to put more in but by the time it was flowing back out- I checked the temp and it was over 50c
So I put the plug back in and will check again once it cools down.
- I have not driven car enough to tell you how the tranny likes the new fluid..

 

[Jtbgonesailing]

Op, You can start the fill process while the transmission temperature is below 35*C and fill until it starts to runout. Just don't replace the fill plug until it reaches 35*C. All that happens is you will waste a small quantity of fluid. Nicer to work on after it has cooled of to ambient temperatures and you have a little longer to finish the fill process without worrying about exceeding 50*C.

 

[SunCoast]

Thanks guys!
So this am first thing in the morn I measured the temp at 27c so I started it until it reached 30c and opend up the full plug which didn't have any fluid coming out so I added a couple more pumps until it started flowing out pretty good stream- by this time temp was already past 35c so I stopped and plugged it back up even though I was trying to wait til stream got a little thinner to a slow drip but like I said I had to close it up cause I was worried the temp was getting too hot expanding fluid which wouldn't give me accurate level.
So.....
I went to work and later that day I went home and attempted to check fluid again.
Temp was 30c so I started the car and opend the plug which was dry again so I added only about a pump maybe a pump and half and then it started flowing out- at this time temp was about 33c so I waitied while it got up to 35c while letting it drain out then put plug back in per JTs recommendation in above comments- by this time it was a thin stream.

I think- I hope I am safe now.

About 6.5 quarts came out and I have about 6.2 back in..
What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance

 

[2real4u]

Are you refilling with engine running? If not, that's the reason why you cannot get correct level.

 

[SunCoast]

Yes I am refilling with engine running

 

[SunCoast]

You guys give up that easy?

Update: Drove the car about 100 miles today- it shifted good. Slightly better than before..

 

[twh]

I refilled with the engine running and the car up on four jack stands. Made sure the car had the same number of inches off the ground in front and back. I left the drain open and hopped back in the car and ran through all the gears a couple times. Then back under to pump some more in, let it trickle out, watch the temp and then close it up.

 

[HPIA4v2]

No need to do second flush 500 mile after the first, you can't get rid of the old fluid completely.
I'd save the fluid and do it again after 30K from the first flush and call it good until you sell the car.