I posted this on another location but got no responses; nor could I find a definitive answer by searching. The car is a 2006 MINI SC, 6-speed auto, with 60k on the clock, no problems and not hard driving. Nothing in the manual of course and I can't believe that it won't fail at ~120k miles without a flush (my other cars have, including a BMW 540). The Aisin is a small transmission, lots of clutch packs and small valve bodies, with plenty of chances for contamination. Yet everywhere everybody claims horror stories after changing the fluid.

I have sent a note to a fellow in Glendale(?) who says he rebuilds the Aisin and CVT autoboxes but have not heard back. I'm on the east coast though.

Advice please.

Jon
2006 MINI SC

 

Not aware of many horror stories *post* ATF flush, but I believe this would be the thread you're after:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...id-change.html

 

the fluid can be changed

it requires a scan tool and a fill tool to do it properly

i have a friend that owns a transmission shop and my dad's cms all4 has the automatic so he and i have done some research

he recommends 30,000 mile changes

according to his service info it goes like this:

put the car on a lift and let it sit overnight
drain the fluid COLD the next day ... DO NOT RUN THE CAR FIRST!

by draining cold, without running the car, you should get up to 4.5 to 5 quarts of the 6.6 quarts the transmission holds to drain out as fluid will drain out of the internal parts overnight

if you drain the fluid warm, after running, only about 2 to 2.5 quarts will drain, the rest is up in the transmission

after removing the drain plug, you have to remove a "stand pipe" out of the drain plug hole
catch the fluid and measure the amount drained
drop the transmission pan, catch and measure any more fluid
clean the pan, change the filter, reinstall the filter and pan
reinstall the stand pipe
install the filler tool into the drain plug hole
refill the transmission with the amount of fluid drained plus 1/2 to 1 quart
leave the fill tool in place, but pinch the hose shut
attach the scan tool, start the car (still on the lift)
run the transmission in ALL GEARS, INCLUDING PARK, NEUTRAL AND REVERSE
continue shifting through all the gears/positions until the fluid reaches the correct temperature (sorry, i don't remember the temp, working from memory)

now it gets messy!

once at the correct temperature
stop the engine,remove the fill tool
fluid will run out, catch the fluid, fluid will drain until the level is at the top of the stand pipe
the amount that flows out should be about the amount of extra fluid you added over what was oringinally drained
reinstall the drain plug
done

scott

 

Not bad advise...on a NEW GEN2 MINI....looks like he was asking about gen1 mini auto...r53...

 

i am not an expert on the autos, but i thought all the 6 speed autos were the same

scott

 

Besides BMW/MINI fluid, what off the shelf, or aftermarket brand is applicable with the Aisin 6 speed?

 

the fluid is speced as JWS-3309

a google search turns up mobil as a supplier and many other brands

a few have said toyota sells the jws-3309 for much less than bmw/mini

scott

 

The Toyota stuff works just fine....

In fact, when I brought my MINI to the dealer for the drain-fill, they didn't have enough OEM ATF on hand, so they ran down the street to the Toyota dealer for a few quarts. I ended up getting a bit of a bargain on the job.

 

Yup..the gen1 MINI assin 6 speed is a near twin to a few Toyota trannys!

 

Thanks all, exactly what I was looking for and more. Appreciate it, and I look forward to seeing the color (opacity?) of the old ATF. I realize that's not the best measure but I don't plan on paying for a chemical analysis.

Jon
'06 R52

 

Just had mine changed you, will need aprox. 4.1 - 4.3 qts with filter change, you also need a pan gasket 74.00 and a check plug and gasket it should take about 2 hrs labor. You should do this at around 40k you trans should last at least 150k. recommend red line fluids.

 

Thanks, quick question, did you have to drop the sub-frame assembly as described in the Pelican instructions or were you able to access the two torx bolts?

Jon L
'06 R52

 

Drop the sub frame for access also, run trans up to temp and check overflow