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Simple Solution to Change Transmission Fluid WORKS!
Hi Guys,
I'm doing this write up with pictures because I have read and heard of hundreds of guys who are disassembling their front ends, taking off wheels, spilling fluid everywhere... and hundreds more who are afraid to do it because of these write-ups! LOL.
Here's a simple solution to change your transmission fluid that works without spillage or frustration!!!!!
I took off my air box to turbo pipe (tube). That is the only thing that needs to be removed.
I opened the fill plug (55 Torx). Screw in the brass fitting to the fill plug hole (Brass Fitting Connector Metric M14-1.5 Male to Barb Fit Hose ID 10mm). I use a 10" long 1/4" extension lightly taped to the fitting. Just make it hand tight then pull off extension.
I did the typical drain the fluid, first the plug, then the little pipe. I measured the amount of fluid - exactly 3 quarts. I find it better to have the front of the car slightly higher than the rear.
Pushed the clear filler tube onto the barb.
Screw quart bottle onto filler tube top. Jab a hole in it to let the air in and help it drain. Repeat. Remember, put in the amount you drained.
My only concern would be if your transmission didn't already have the correct fluid level. If it's not leaking you should be 99% confident.
I just bought a pump that is supposed to have the correct adapter to let me fill from the drain plug. I think I'll use your method for several drains/fills then use my fluid pump only if I drop the pan to change the filter. I think trans filter changes are over-rated but fluid changes are critical.
My only concern would be if your transmission didn't already have the correct fluid level. If it's not leaking you should be 99% confident.
I just bought a pump that is supposed to have the correct adapter to let me fill from the drain plug. I think I'll use your method for several drains/fills then use my fluid pump only if I drop the pan to change the filter. I think trans filter changes are over-rated but fluid changes are critical.
Hi crazy4trains,
Yes, definitely have no leaks. But if you were unsure about correct amount of fluid, just level the car, remove bottom plug and keep pouring in fill hole until fluid runs out. Then you're at the top of the little pipe... right level of fluid. Screw in the drain plug and done!
I just finished the first of two partial flushes with this method, after seeing your post just two days before starting work on my N16. I bought a similar looking fitting connector at a local parts shop for agricultural machines along with a slim end funnel, 1m of hose and two hose clamps. Paid less than the equivalent of ten bucks for everything (plus the price for the ATF fluid, of course).
The only "difficulty" of the method is torqing the fitting connector adequately so that it doesn't leak at all (space is very limited and there is no room to use a socket). I could only slightly tighten it after tightening the hose onto it and twisting (the hose) with my hands as much as it would go. There was some leakage (between the fitting adapter and the transmission casing) but not enough to drip out of the recess right underneath the fill plug (probably less than 25ml). A quick wipe after being done finished the job.
By the way: instead of measuring the volume of the drained fluid, I measured its weight and used the equivalent of fresh fluid to pour in. This way I didn't have to worry about volume variation of the ATF fluid due to temperature differences. Still, I may use the drain plug's "indicator pipe" the second time in order to be absolutely confident that the ATF is at the correct level.
Originally Posted by RicksterR56
But if you were unsure about correct amount of fluid, just level the car, remove bottom plug and keep pouring in fill hole until fluid runs out. Then you're at the top of the little pipe... right level of fluid. Screw in the drain plug and done!
This method requires monitoring the ATF's temperature and making sure that it is between 35 and 45 degrees C. This can be done with an OBD cable in combination with ISTA (Windows) or DeepOBD (Android).
PS.: Originally I intended to use the 10mm side plug behind the front left wheel arching as a filler plug. However, some ATF spilled out of that one when I unscrewed it, meaning that the ATF level inside was higher than the plug. This may have been due to the car leaning slightly towards the left hand side but then I saw your op and didn't even bother leveling the car.
Nice! Yep you can get it from that top plug. I like you adapter
ECSTuning
Thanks! BTW - you guys should add the brass connector and the filler tube to your kit. I always check you guys first for parts and having these would make life easy!!!
crazy4trains
(me too!)
Can you post a link to the adapter that allows fill from bottom? I have one that I used on my Golf DSG, but it's larger than the drain on the Mini.
I'm doing this write up with pictures because I have read and heard of hundreds of guys who are disassembling their front ends, taking off wheels, spilling fluid everywhere... and hundreds more who are afraid to do it because of these write-ups! LOL.
I've done a small amount of reading and watching videos on mini automatic transmission fluid replacement. This method looks very promising to me.
I have one question. I have a base model 2012 R56. Could this clever method be used to add ATF to the transmission with the engine running while monitoring ATF temperature and watching for ATF overflow from the inspection hole?
Yes. Engine should be running while monitoring temp and overflow.
According to users of a german MINI forum, starting/running the engine with the plug (indicated in the OP of this thread) removed, will result in ATF gushing out under pressure. I have not verified this myself but if true, it will result in a big mess and loss of ATF (which can then no longer be measured in order to refill the amount required).
According to users of a german MINI forum, starting/running the engine with the plug (indicated in the OP of this thread) removed, will result in ATF gushing out under pressure. I have not verified this myself but if true, it will result in a big mess and loss of ATF (which can then no longer be measured in order to refill the amount required).
Is there a video link(s) that shows this ATF gushing problem?
The idea of ATF gushing from the fill hole with the engine idling is puzzling if you read the ATF filling instructions provided in the 2007-13 mini factory service manual (see below).
ATF level is checked by the overflow method
1) Place gear selector lever in PARK.
2) Connect MINI scan tool to vehicle.
3) Raise car and support in a safe manner. Make sure vehicle is level.
4) Remove the T55 ATF filler plug on transmission.
5) Place a clean drip tray underneath transmission to catch fluid.
6) Remove ATF inspection plug from transmission sump.
7) Top off ATF through fill hole until it overflows at inspection hole.
8) Start engine and run at idle.
9) Check and see if any more ATF runs out of inspection hole. If not, continue to add ATF.
10) Press brake pedal and slowly shift from P to D twice. Put gear selector back in P and release brake pedal.
11) Check and see if any ATF runs out of inspection hole.
12) Read ATF temperature with MINI scan tool.
ATF temperature specification for level check
ATF operating temperature 35 - 45C (95 -113F)
13) With ATF at operating temperature, top off ATF until it runs out of inspection hole. A gravity fed ATF filler tool is best to use for filling transmission.
14) Install inspection and filler plugs to transmission. Be sure to replace sealing gaskets.
Last edited by Maybe, maybe not; Jul 27, 2023 at 11:07 AM.
The only "difficulty" of the method is torqing the fitting connector adequately so that it doesn't leak at all (space is very limited and there is no room to use a socket). I could only slightly tighten it after tightening the hose onto it and twisting (the hose) with my hands as much as it would go. There was some leakage (between the fitting adapter and the transmission casing)...
Could the leakage be prevented by transferring the O-ring from the T55 fill bolt to the brass adapter?
Is there a video link(s) that shows this ATF gushing problem?
The idea of ATF gushing from the fill hole with the engine idling is puzzling if you read the ATF filling instructions provided in the 2007-13 mini factory service manual (see below).
The gushing issue is when using the fill hole at the top of the transmission noted in the original post in this thread. The Mini procedure is to fill from the bottom hole.
If you use the tool and procedure I linked to above to fill from below then it's a pretty easy job. Just spend a few bucks for the pressure fill tool and do it right.
The gushing issue is when using the fill hole at the top of the transmission noted in the original post in this thread. The Mini procedure is to fill from the bottom hole.
I'm absolutely convinced that ATF filling and topping off via the bottom drain hole works well.
Is ATF gushing from the T55 fill hole with the engine running a verified problem for second generation R56 mini coopers? The anecdotal accounts I have read about this problem seem to conflict with the ATF filling and topping off procedure detailed in the 2007-2013 mini cooper factory service manual. Are the anecdotal accounts correct and is the factory service manual procedure wrong or written imprecisely?
I can't find the post in the german forum anymore. However, here is an excerpt of BMW's instructions for checking the ATF level. Note the position of the filler plug mentioned therein.
Yes. this is what I looked too. It states to start the car and run at idle then check the level when oil temp is between 35C-45C.
Oil will be under pressure, but it is what it is.
I can't find the post in the german forum anymore. However, here is an excerpt of BMW's instructions for checking the ATF level. Note the position of the filler plug mentioned therein.
Bentley 2007-2013 Mini Cooper factory service manual
I think that BMW/Mini Cooper may have created the PDF to correct the service manual ATF fill and top up procedure that used of the problematic T55 bolt on top of the transmission.
Bentley 2007-2013 Mini Cooper factory service manual
I think that BMW/Mini Cooper may have created the PDF to correct the service manual ATF fill and top up procedure that used of the problematic T55 bolt on top of the transmission.
Reason for this assumption?
The excerpt I posted is from TIS (containing the official instructions by BMW/MINI's to their own service technicians on how to execute repairs, installations, etc.), not a separate or application specific document.
More importantly: You didn't answer on how the filler plug is identified in the Bentley manual.
I think the confusion may be that (as shown in the links Maybe posted) there were two different fill bolts were using to fill from the top. The one from the top is under pressure but the one in the Mini TSB is not, I believe.
Either way, the ATF pressure filler works a treat and makes this job pretty easy. No hard-to-reach T55 bolt, no trying to slowly fill thick gear oil through a funnel. Buy once, cry once is what I've learned when it comes to tools.
