R60 :: Countryman Talk (2010-2015) R60 Cooper and Cooper S hatchback discussion NOT REPAIR RELATED Discussions.

R60 Possible to Change Transfer Case Fluid?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 08-14-2018, 03:17 PM
entropy1's Avatar
entropy1
entropy1 is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 53
Received 7 Likes on 5 Posts
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.
 
  #2  
Old 08-14-2018, 03:25 PM
KJ - Long Island's Avatar
KJ - Long Island
KJ - Long Island is offline
1st Gear
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Long Island - NY
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
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.
 
  #3  
Old 08-16-2018, 10:01 AM
Minnie.the.Moocher's Avatar
Minnie.the.Moocher
Minnie.the.Moocher is offline
OVERDRIVE
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: earth PNW
Posts: 5,390
Received 570 Likes on 486 Posts
  #4  
Old 08-16-2018, 02:49 PM
entropy1's Avatar
entropy1
entropy1 is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 53
Received 7 Likes on 5 Posts
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).
 
  #5  
Old 08-16-2018, 05:40 PM
entropy1's Avatar
entropy1
entropy1 is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 53
Received 7 Likes on 5 Posts
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 After some research, it appears that Synthetik OSP was superseded by BMW SAF-XO, which is Castrol Syntrax Longlife 75W-90.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; 08-16-2018 at 08:28 PM.
  #6  
Old 08-24-2018, 11:49 AM
All4vin's Avatar
All4vin
All4vin is offline
1st Gear
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Fernandina Beach FL
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts
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

 
The following users liked this post:
JPR60 (11-04-2021)
  #7  
Old 08-24-2018, 11:55 AM
entropy1's Avatar
entropy1
entropy1 is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 53
Received 7 Likes on 5 Posts
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?
 
  #8  
Old 08-24-2018, 12:10 PM
All4vin's Avatar
All4vin
All4vin is offline
1st Gear
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Fernandina Beach FL
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts
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.
 
The following users liked this post:
entropy1 (08-24-2018)
  #9  
Old 08-25-2018, 03:10 PM
entropy1's Avatar
entropy1
entropy1 is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 53
Received 7 Likes on 5 Posts
All4vin - I can’t seem to get an extractor hose to actually get down into the transfer case? Any tips?
 
  #10  
Old 08-27-2018, 08:40 AM
All4vin's Avatar
All4vin
All4vin is offline
1st Gear
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Fernandina Beach FL
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts
I do remember putting some 1/4" flexible vinyl hose at the end of the extractor tube. Hope you figured this out.
 
  #11  
Old 12-26-2018, 06:21 PM
dmath's Avatar
dmath
dmath is offline
6th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Western NC
Posts: 1,441
Received 546 Likes on 373 Posts
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; 12-26-2018 at 06:31 PM.
  #12  
Old 12-28-2018, 07:21 AM
entropy1's Avatar
entropy1
entropy1 is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 53
Received 7 Likes on 5 Posts
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.
 
  #13  
Old 12-28-2018, 09:09 AM
dmath's Avatar
dmath
dmath is offline
6th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Western NC
Posts: 1,441
Received 546 Likes on 373 Posts
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.
 
  #14  
Old 12-28-2018, 09:18 AM
entropy1's Avatar
entropy1
entropy1 is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 53
Received 7 Likes on 5 Posts
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.
 
  #15  
Old 03-19-2021, 03:35 PM
Tomski's Avatar
Tomski
Tomski is offline
Neutral
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brisbane, QLD
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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?
 
  #16  
Old 03-30-2021, 11:19 AM
jlong21's Avatar
jlong21
jlong21 is offline
1st Gear
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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; 03-30-2021 at 11:46 AM.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
John Kowtko
R56 :: Hatch Talk (2007+)
6
03-27-2024 09:49 AM
pocketmaster
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
14
12-21-2019 02:12 PM
XsV
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
24
09-30-2015 03:17 PM
beasleyboy
Stock Problems/Issues
9
05-04-2015 10:13 AM



Quick Reply: R60 Possible to Change Transfer Case Fluid?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:13 PM.