1st Gen Countryman (R60) Talk (2010-2015) R60 Countryman Discussions

R60 Possible to Change Transfer Case Fluid?

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Old Aug 14, 2018 | 03:17 PM
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Possible to Change Transfer Case Fluid?

Is it possible to change the fluid in an R60 ALL4 transfer case? Does the transfer case have a fill and/or drain plug?

If so, has anyone successfully done the procedure? Any tips? I don't buy into the life-time fluid regime of BMW Group. I would like to change all of the drivetrain fluids on a regular interval. Thanks all.
 
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Old Aug 14, 2018 | 03:25 PM
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Would like to know the answer to this also. I just turned 54k on my Paceman All4. Oil services every 3k - doesn't use a drop between changes. Just did the transmission fluid/filter change. Car shifts like new.
 
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Old Aug 16, 2018 | 10:01 AM
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This site has loads of info:
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/r...r-box/ESqPQsbF
 
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Old Aug 16, 2018 | 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Minnie.the.Moocher
Much appreciated. I've been an avid user of RealOEM, but have never thought about newTIS. Site bookmarked!

Sounds like you will have to suck the fluid out and replace, similar to many newer "lifetime fluid" BMW differentials (my X5 included).
 
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Old Aug 16, 2018 | 05:40 PM
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For those curious RealOEM and newTIS state that the correct fluid is "BMW Synthetik OSP." After some research, it appears that Synthetik OSP was superseded by BMW SAF-XO, which is Castrol Syntrax Longlife 75W-90. It's about $25 per liter.

Edit:
Decided to go with Redline GL-5 75W-90 for the t-case and Redline GL-5 75W-85 for the rear diff (to match the OEM diff fluid viscosity). I have always had good results with Redline gear oils in BMWs.
 

Last edited by entropy1; Aug 16, 2018 at 08:28 PM.
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Old Aug 24, 2018 | 11:49 AM
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transfer case fluid

I used an oil change topsider to suck it out, then pumped fresh fluid from below.
The capacity is pretty small. I have a theory that transfer case issues are due to not topping off this fluid after removing the intermediate shaft through the transfer case during repairs.
For instance i did this fluid change in the pic after a bit of fluid fell out during an oil pump solenoid harness repair where the passenger side axle and intermediate shaft needed to be removed.

embarrassed over dirty engine in pic. Is clean now

 
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Old Aug 24, 2018 | 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by All4vin
I used an oil change topsider to suck it out, then pumped fresh fluid from below.
The capacity is pretty small. I have a theory that transfer case issues are due to not topping off this fluid after removing the intermediate shaft through the transfer case during repairs.
For instance i did this fluid change in the pic after a bit of fluid fell out during an oil pump solenoid harness repair where the passenger side axle and intermediate shaft needed to be removed.
Thanks for this. I will be doing the transfer case and rear differential this weekend. What fluid did you use? And would you say about a half-quart capacity... little more, less?
 
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Old Aug 24, 2018 | 12:10 PM
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I did use overpriced BMW osp fluid because at the time (last year) I couldn't find a solid answer on an equal aftermarket brand. Half quart sounds about right. I do remember just a couple pumps is all it took to pour out the fill plug.
 
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Old Aug 25, 2018 | 03:10 PM
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All4vin - I can’t seem to get an extractor hose to actually get down into the transfer case? Any tips?
 
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Old Aug 27, 2018 | 08:40 AM
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I do remember putting some 1/4" flexible vinyl hose at the end of the extractor tube. Hope you figured this out.
 
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Old Dec 26, 2018 | 06:21 PM
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There's already good information in this thread so I'm reviving it rather than start a new one.

My car is a 2013 Countryman S All4 with AT. I'm preparing to change the oil in the transfer case and rear diff and want to make sure I use the right stuff. RealOEM shows the same oil for both and that product is no longer available. For the transfer case, ECS lists this:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...r/07512293972/

Is that the right product for the rear diff as well? I've looked at RedLine. When I enter the data for my car, their site recommends a 75w90 product (57904) for clutch-actuated limited slip diffs. Is that the right stuff? They don't list a product for the transfer case.

One other thing... I've read that the transfer case has a capacity of about 0.5L. What's the capacity of the rear diff? Haven't yet found a thread that provides that information.
 

Last edited by dmath; Dec 26, 2018 at 06:31 PM.
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Old Dec 28, 2018 | 07:21 AM
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Originally Posted by dmath
There's already good information in this thread so I'm reviving it rather than start a new one.

My car is a 2013 Countryman S All4 with AT. I'm preparing to change the oil in the transfer case and rear diff and want to make sure I use the right stuff. RealOEM shows the same oil for both and that product is no longer available. For the transfer case, ECS lists this:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...r/07512293972/

Is that the right product for the rear diff as well? I've looked at RedLine. When I enter the data for my car, their site recommends a 75w90 product (57904) for clutch-actuated limited slip diffs. Is that the right stuff? They don't list a product for the transfer case.

One other thing... I've read that the transfer case has a capacity of about 0.5L. What's the capacity of the rear diff? Haven't yet found a thread that provides that information.
The correct fluid for the t-case is 75W-90 GL-5. Nothing fancy. The correct fluid for the rear diff is also 75W-90 GL-5. BMW changes the rear diff spec to 75W-85 later for fuel economy reasons.

The t-case and diff are simple, standard designs. No clutches.

The rear diff holds about 0.6L from my experience.
 
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Old Dec 28, 2018 | 09:09 AM
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Thank you. I ordered 2 liters of BMW's 75w90 SAF-XO to make sure I have enough for transfer case and rear diff. ECS has it for about the same price as the alternatives.
 
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Old Dec 28, 2018 | 09:18 AM
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Originally Posted by dmath
Thank you. I ordered 2 liters of BMW's 75w90 SAF-XO to make sure I have enough for transfer case and rear diff. ECS has it for about the same price as the alternatives.
No problem. Good luck with the fluid change. The rear diff is really simple. I had trouble getting the fluid out of the t-case.
 
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Old Mar 19, 2021 | 03:35 PM
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Reviving a very old thread!

I have been struggling to suck the fluid out of the transfer case on an Auto ALL4.

I tried hoses of all sizes and none seem to reach the bottom of the case.

does anyone have any tricks in taking the old fluid out?
 
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Old Mar 30, 2021 | 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Tomski
Reviving a very old thread!

I have been struggling to suck the fluid out of the transfer case on an Auto ALL4.

I tried hoses of all sizes and none seem to reach the bottom of the case.

does anyone have any tricks in taking the old fluid out?
I am having the exact problem on my Auto JCW ALL4, only a 1/4" hose can be forced to sneak in there (with a lot of effort to find a sweet spot) but not without grinding its way past things (gears I assume) to a non-bottom, undrainable location. I also do not want plastic shavings in there so not willing to force a longer length 1/4" in there. Any ideas?

Jim
 

Last edited by jlong21; Mar 30, 2021 at 11:46 AM.
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Old Jun 11, 2024 | 08:47 AM
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Hi, I have a 2016 paceman all4 (Diesel engine) :

1. When you change the oil in the transfer box did you need to reset/adaptations anything on the ECU ?
2. Did you also change the the rear differential/combined EMCD box oil ? and if yes, did you need to reset/adaptations anything on the ECU ?

Note the paceman did no use the Haldex unit fitted to some of the countryman's.

If anyone else can help on the above question please feel free to comment.

Many thanks
Jim
 
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