DIY CVT fluid change
#26
02-19-2011, 03:06 PM
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I'm not sure what's included in the Bentley manual for this - haven't picked up a copy yet (probably should have long ago!).
However, you might find this link useful as a how-to for the fluid change. It's not perfect, but it's at least a good start:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...acement-2.html
Only thing I wouldn't recommend following is his fluid recommendation. I would use either the recommended Esso fluid or a non-slip CVT fluid. Redline makes one which I plan on using.
Also, there seems to be a consensus that you should overfill the fluid, run the car a little, go through all the gear ratios (manual mode), and then open the "fill" plug further up from the drain plug to let the extra fluid drain out. Once the extra fluid drains, you should be good to go.
This picture I grabbed from another forum post somewhere might help.
I would do your filling from the plug on top of the transmission, not the "fill" plug in the above picture. It should be much easier to get to and fill from than the "fill" plug. To get to it, you just have to remove the battery box.
However, you might find this link useful as a how-to for the fluid change. It's not perfect, but it's at least a good start:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...acement-2.html
Only thing I wouldn't recommend following is his fluid recommendation. I would use either the recommended Esso fluid or a non-slip CVT fluid. Redline makes one which I plan on using.
Also, there seems to be a consensus that you should overfill the fluid, run the car a little, go through all the gear ratios (manual mode), and then open the "fill" plug further up from the drain plug to let the extra fluid drain out. Once the extra fluid drains, you should be good to go.
This picture I grabbed from another forum post somewhere might help.
I would do your filling from the plug on top of the transmission, not the "fill" plug in the above picture. It should be much easier to get to and fill from than the "fill" plug. To get to it, you just have to remove the battery box.
Super helpful! Thanks! I decided to order that Bentley manual anyway. It will get here on Tuesday. The MINI will be in the shop for another few days for a different issue. I have no idea when the CVT fluid was changed last, so that will be my next project. Where is this RedLine fluid available?
#27
02-19-2011, 03:30 PM
MINIMANIA carries it but way too expensive...here are some other links:
http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=128&pcid=9
http://www.frsport.com/Redline-30804...t_p_14868.html
http://www.jegs.com/i/Red%20Line%20O...0002/-1?CT=999
http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=128&pcid=9
http://www.frsport.com/Redline-30804...t_p_14868.html
http://www.jegs.com/i/Red%20Line%20O...0002/-1?CT=999
#28
02-19-2011, 04:16 PM
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#29
02-19-2011, 07:02 PM
I'm particularly interested in the Redline stuff because their D4 ATF is, from what I can tell, highly and widely praised. Many say that fluid is better than the official "recommended" fluid. I figure they probably know what they're doing with other fluids as well, including this non-clip CVT fluid. I plan on using for my next fluid change and am expecting it to be better than the Esso.
#30
02-19-2011, 07:14 PM
Well, I just put my MINI in the Redline search engine on their site and their Non-Slip CVT Fluid did show up as recommended. Here's the site:
http://www.redlineoil.com/application.aspx
I guess I could still try contacting them, but I have a feeling since it shows up as a result in their "Application Search", they're almost certainly going to say it is a recommended and acceptable alternate.
http://www.redlineoil.com/application.aspx
I guess I could still try contacting them, but I have a feeling since it shows up as a result in their "Application Search", they're almost certainly going to say it is a recommended and acceptable alternate.
#32
02-27-2011, 06:04 PM
Try putting your MINI's year/model on the site below. It's Redline's application search, which shows you their recommended fluids/oils for your car:
http://www.redlineoil.com/application.aspx
The Redline Non-Slip CVT fluid pops up as "For use in CVT automatic transaxle" for my '03 MINI CVT, so I would say that means they recommend it. I'm almost certain if I contact them directly they would simply point me to that application search. It was an adequate answer for me and I ordered 5 quarts from Summit:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RED-30804/
I plan on putting it in this week. Will post on any differences I notice.
http://www.redlineoil.com/application.aspx
The Redline Non-Slip CVT fluid pops up as "For use in CVT automatic transaxle" for my '03 MINI CVT, so I would say that means they recommend it. I'm almost certain if I contact them directly they would simply point me to that application search. It was an adequate answer for me and I ordered 5 quarts from Summit:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RED-30804/
I plan on putting it in this week. Will post on any differences I notice.
#37
03-06-2011, 09:46 AM
You can get a filter kit, which includes a filter, pan gasket, drain plug, and drain plug seal at Pelican Parts:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...20(2005-08)%20
It will be difficult to get the pan off without lowering the sub frame a little because of lack of working space. There is a guy on here who's done it, but even he recommended having more room to work.
Here's the BMW way of doing it:
Removing the pan:
http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/07/40/85
Changing the filter:
http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/07/40/86
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...20(2005-08)%20
It will be difficult to get the pan off without lowering the sub frame a little because of lack of working space. There is a guy on here who's done it, but even he recommended having more room to work.
Here's the BMW way of doing it:
Removing the pan:
http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/07/40/85
Changing the filter:
http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/07/40/86
#38
03-26-2011, 01:06 PM
#39
03-26-2011, 01:59 PM
Good to hear. How did you end up doing the change - through the top hole or through the side fill hole?
Now we'll have to see how the fluid stands up over time - I expect it to be just as good or better the Esso stuff.
Still haven't gotten around to mine...but looking forward to experiencing the difference when I do. The new filter should really make a difference on my R50 too (the current one has 115K miles on it!).
Now we'll have to see how the fluid stands up over time - I expect it to be just as good or better the Esso stuff.
Still haven't gotten around to mine...but looking forward to experiencing the difference when I do. The new filter should really make a difference on my R50 too (the current one has 115K miles on it!).
#42
02-04-2012, 11:30 AM
I am servicing my CVT for the first time since it was installed at 97k has 132on it now. I drained about 4.5q out and put 4.5q back in. When i pulled the lower "Fill" plug i removed about 1q. This was after running through all the gears and letting it stand. Not sure what to do at this point. Since i took out 4.5 and am now left with 3.5 in it. I'm thinking i should add back the 1 to make what i took out and whats in there the same. Am i right on this or should i leave out the 1.
Thanks
JOE
Thanks
JOE
#43
02-04-2012, 12:57 PM
I am servicing my CVT for the first time since it was installed at 97k has 132on it now. I drained about 4.5q out and put 4.5q back in. When i pulled the lower "Fill" plug i removed about 1q. This was after running through all the gears and letting it stand. Not sure what to do at this point. Since i took out 4.5 and am now left with 3.5 in it. I'm thinking i should add back the 1 to make what i took out and whats in there the same. Am i right on this or should i leave out the 1.
Thanks
JOE
Thanks
JOE
When I changed my fluid, I filled with 5 quarts (about 4.7 litres) and very little drained out of the fill plug with the car still on and in neutral. The manual calls for filling with 5 litres (about 5.3 quarts) and if less than 0.3 litres comes out it may be underfilled. Because of this, I thought I may have been slightly underfilled, but didn't worry about it.
My guess is you're almost certainly underfilled for some reason or another. If 4.5 came out, at least 4.5, and possibly more should go back in.
#44
02-04-2012, 01:03 PM
#45
02-05-2012, 09:08 PM
Ok so i took it for a drive put it back on the lift checketo see if the car was level good. Running in neutral pulled the fill plug and a quart of fluid came out again. is it possible that when the trans was rebuild they didn't get the tube put back in right and it let too much out? i know i have 5 in there now and it runs and shifts fine. thanks Joe
#46
02-06-2012, 06:45 AM
Ok so i took it for a drive put it back on the lift checketo see if the car was level good. Running in neutral pulled the fill plug and a quart of fluid came out again. is it possible that when the trans was rebuild they didn't get the tube put back in right and it let too much out? i know i have 5 in there now and it runs and shifts fine. thanks Joe
If it were me, I would trust my first instinct, and same as you, make sure it has a minimum of 4.5 qts in. I'm sure there's wiggle room on the level, just as there is with engine oil, but we don't know for sure what that range is...
#47
02-06-2012, 04:08 PM
#48
02-06-2012, 07:37 PM
It is a reman directly from Mini and installed at Mini of St. Louis. I know for a fact it has 5qts in it. Everything feels fine, runs drives and shifts fine. Just worried not to f* it up. Is there any thing else i should do now that the fluid has been changed?
Thanks JOE
Thanks JOE
The steel drive belt has approximately 450 segments and is held together by 24 steel bands, 12 on each side.
Mine failed by way of a dead stepper motor (controls the pulley ratio), which actually is a replaceable internal part on the valve body. I was ready to be done with the CVT though and a 6-speed getrag is going in right now...
If you haven't run across this yet, this is good reading for every CVT owner - covers the basics of how the transmission works and it's components:
http://www.lib.ucdavis.edu/dept/pse/...F%20040323.pdf
#49
02-06-2012, 07:40 PM
#50
03-27-2012, 09:39 AM
Would it be possible to suck the fluid out of my cvt from the top fill hole using a suction gun and long tube?
Much like the rounded off motor oil drain plug I found when changing oil last week, the dealer also kindly broke my transmission drain plug when they serviced it last time. See this thread.
I would rather not drop the pan if I don't have to, and I'm assuming a dealer will charge me a fortune to correct the problem they caused in the first place.
Much like the rounded off motor oil drain plug I found when changing oil last week, the dealer also kindly broke my transmission drain plug when they serviced it last time. See this thread.
I would rather not drop the pan if I don't have to, and I'm assuming a dealer will charge me a fortune to correct the problem they caused in the first place.