How To Maintenance :: Girl's Guide to Changing Transmission Fluid
#26
What are the viscosity of these oils? Ive read about MTL, MTF . . .
Ive been to 2 different auto parts stores and neither one has any clue about what a MINI needs because they arent in their computers. Neither store has any of the brand names mentioned in these threads that I located on my NAM 'search.'
Silvereagle wrote that 75w-90 is much too heavy but thats the lightest weight I could find here, and he recommends MTF. What is the weight of Redline MTF? And, some other threads said use MTL. Whats the right stuff, most specifically, whats the best viscosity: 75W- . . . what?
Ive been to 2 different auto parts stores and neither one has any clue about what a MINI needs because they arent in their computers. Neither store has any of the brand names mentioned in these threads that I located on my NAM 'search.'
Silvereagle wrote that 75w-90 is much too heavy but thats the lightest weight I could find here, and he recommends MTF. What is the weight of Redline MTF? And, some other threads said use MTL. Whats the right stuff, most specifically, whats the best viscosity: 75W- . . . what?
#27
Erick, The AMSOIL "MTF" is a Synthetic 5W30 gear oil which AMSOIL recomends their MTF only for the MINI'S up to 07/2004. After that they state"No AMSOIL Recommendation". Under a foot note it shows that BMW Part # 83 22 7 533 818 or equivalent be used. They use information from the Manufacturers gathered by "2010 MOTOR Information Systems, a division of Hearst Business Media Inc.". Hope that this helps.
Gene
Gene
#28
With the manual transmission, the original fluid probably can be legitimately used for several hundred thousand miles if you don't feel like changing it. It's not exposed to extreme heat or combustion by-products the way engine oil is, and a few shavings collected at the bottom of the transmission case aren't going to hurt anything.
But "lifetime" fluid doesn't mean that it can't leak out, or that after 100k miles it will still perform as well as it did when it was new.
But "lifetime" fluid doesn't mean that it can't leak out, or that after 100k miles it will still perform as well as it did when it was new.
#29
Another great thread.
I've not changed the tranny oil in my wife's '03 MCS, but will probably do it shortly as I'm in the process of an elongated 60K maintenance routine. However, I have changed the tranny oil in my '74 911 and I use a fluid pump found at any parts store. That eliminates the funnel and long hose.
Since the tranny only uses 1 3/4 quarts of oil, I would let the first little bit of new oil flush out all of the old.
Keep up the good work. These How To's really help.
I've not changed the tranny oil in my wife's '03 MCS, but will probably do it shortly as I'm in the process of an elongated 60K maintenance routine. However, I have changed the tranny oil in my '74 911 and I use a fluid pump found at any parts store. That eliminates the funnel and long hose.
Since the tranny only uses 1 3/4 quarts of oil, I would let the first little bit of new oil flush out all of the old.
Keep up the good work. These How To's really help.
#30
So Scott... Are you saying there is no need to change the fluid in my 03 5spd???? I just bought it with 60K miles and a blown engine. Once appart I found a busted rod, bent valves and a trashed piston in that cylinder and hole in the block. Oh yeah cylinders 3 & 4 had spun rod bearings too. I'm pround to say that it's all fixed up and driving for about $400. Yes obviously I did the work myself and wow are Mini parts expensive. They wanted $350 just for the crank bearings, but I figured out another option and paid less than $100 had the crank turned and valves replaced for $200, put in a used piston/rod assembly $100, new head gasket and repaired the hole in the lower block skirt.
Oh sorry back to the question..... I been reading some not good things about the early 5spds, so figured I should change the fluid. But Scott, it sounds like you don't think changing the fluid will make much difference, or help it last longer.
PS... if anyone else needs rod bearing I can set you up with a set for $95, standards or +10, 20, 30. Way cheaper and better bearings than Mini sells
Victor
Oh sorry back to the question..... I been reading some not good things about the early 5spds, so figured I should change the fluid. But Scott, it sounds like you don't think changing the fluid will make much difference, or help it last longer.
PS... if anyone else needs rod bearing I can set you up with a set for $95, standards or +10, 20, 30. Way cheaper and better bearings than Mini sells
Victor
Last edited by 928s4; 11-14-2010 at 02:53 PM.
#31
#32
I would add one more suggestion...
If you have driven you car since new, and haven't ground your gears much, then if the fluid hasen't leaked out, it might be safe to skip the change.
If you bought your car used, and don't know, I'd change it personly...get rid of any particles suspended in the oil that could be causing excess wear.
That having been said, I'll likely change mine anyway...heck, less than 2 quarts of gear oil, even the best you can find will set you back less than $40.
So it is cheap, easy insurance for a diy'er to do this when the car is already jacked up on stands, and the tools are out.
If you have driven you car since new, and haven't ground your gears much, then if the fluid hasen't leaked out, it might be safe to skip the change.
If you bought your car used, and don't know, I'd change it personly...get rid of any particles suspended in the oil that could be causing excess wear.
That having been said, I'll likely change mine anyway...heck, less than 2 quarts of gear oil, even the best you can find will set you back less than $40.
So it is cheap, easy insurance for a diy'er to do this when the car is already jacked up on stands, and the tools are out.
#37
#38
#39
Just back from the test drive -
budda BUDDA I SAY!
I do highly recommend pouring some down your arm so you can smell as bad as it does.
Again - nice write up. I did find a solution to the "tube/funnel" idea. Pepboys sells (i'm sure others do to) a lube filling tube attachment thingy that has a shut-off valve. Now the attachment end fits on a oil bottle not a redline tranny lube bottle. I fiound that Royal Purple oil bottles work fine after cutting off the bottom and cleaning them out .
OFF TO THE DRAGON!!
Cheers
budda BUDDA I SAY!
I do highly recommend pouring some down your arm so you can smell as bad as it does.
Again - nice write up. I did find a solution to the "tube/funnel" idea. Pepboys sells (i'm sure others do to) a lube filling tube attachment thingy that has a shut-off valve. Now the attachment end fits on a oil bottle not a redline tranny lube bottle. I fiound that Royal Purple oil bottles work fine after cutting off the bottom and cleaning them out .
OFF TO THE DRAGON!!
Cheers
#40
1st Gear
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Great instructions - took less than 30 minutes start to finish (much less than my first oil change which included a trip to home depot to get an extractor to remove the rounded off drain plug!)
Winnie only has 30k miles, but is 6 years old, so it seemed like a good time to refresh the fluid. It does seem to shift a little smoother, but I wouldn't bet my life on it - could be just me...
Winnie only has 30k miles, but is 6 years old, so it seemed like a good time to refresh the fluid. It does seem to shift a little smoother, but I wouldn't bet my life on it - could be just me...
#45
#46
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Just did this, easy as pie thanks to this awesome how-to. Thanks Gerldoc!
ok, after about a week of driving after the change I can honestly say the shifting action is noticeable smoother. I tried to convince myself that this wasn't just the "i made the effort so it must be better" improvement, but I don't think so. I'd go so far as to call it a "must do" given how easy it was and the improvement.
ok, after about a week of driving after the change I can honestly say the shifting action is noticeable smoother. I tried to convince myself that this wasn't just the "i made the effort so it must be better" improvement, but I don't think so. I'd go so far as to call it a "must do" given how easy it was and the improvement.
Last edited by minintrigue; 11-17-2011 at 04:49 PM.
#47
2002 Non S 5 speed fluid change
Recently purchased an '02 Non S w/5 speed & 96k miles on odo. Want to change the transmission fluid, but all of the diy fluid changes that I've found here and on the www are on "S" models. My transmission doesn't have the big Black plugs with the 8mm hex fitting. I haven't been able to identify the Fill and Drain plugs.
I did discover that the transaxle is a remanufactured one because there is a label on it. I have no service history, so want to do the fluid change as a precaution. Thanks for your help.
I did discover that the transaxle is a remanufactured one because there is a label on it. I have no service history, so want to do the fluid change as a precaution. Thanks for your help.
#48
To make life easier for manual transmissions/transaxles and differentials (other vehicles obviously), you may want to invest in this little hand pump.
Click here
Bought it for when I worked in the Infiniti dealership, used to use the gravity method but took more time. Time is money when you are working flag hours.
Click here
Bought it for when I worked in the Infiniti dealership, used to use the gravity method but took more time. Time is money when you are working flag hours.
#49
#50
Thanks for the DIY
I just changed my transmission fluid on a 5 speed getrag (non S) following this procedure- the procedure worked just fine for a base Mini.
The fluid was black with silvery streaks through it, which I assume is fine metal particles. I replaced with Redline MTL oil and the shifting is smoother and quieter. I never thought changing the oil would make such a noticeable difference.
Just one hint- have the plastic catch pan positioned far enough away to catch the oil stream as it will shoot out a good 8 to 10 inches when the lower plug is first removed.
The fluid was black with silvery streaks through it, which I assume is fine metal particles. I replaced with Redline MTL oil and the shifting is smoother and quieter. I never thought changing the oil would make such a noticeable difference.
Just one hint- have the plastic catch pan positioned far enough away to catch the oil stream as it will shoot out a good 8 to 10 inches when the lower plug is first removed.