Mini Cooper R56 Auto Transmission Fluid Change
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 418
Likes: 79
From: Iowa
I spent an hour trying to fill from that top vent plug, was a big waste of time.
I ended up using a plunger pump to squirt the fluid up thru the drain hole. This is much easier than it sounds. just made a rubber adapter out of some old hose. The overflow tube sets the level (i.e. it starts to run back out when full). After you fill it cold, warm it up , pull center plug again & the excess will run out.
I ended up using a plunger pump to squirt the fluid up thru the drain hole. This is much easier than it sounds. just made a rubber adapter out of some old hose. The overflow tube sets the level (i.e. it starts to run back out when full). After you fill it cold, warm it up , pull center plug again & the excess will run out.
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 197
Did this question ever get answered? Will filling from the top EVENTUALLY fill it? Apparently, and correct me if I am wrong, there are at least 3 ways to fill a R56 automatic transmission. 1. thru the side with a hand pump 2. thru the t55 torx next to the oil filter/radiator hose and 3. Another T55 torx on top accessible from the passenger side (the preferred way).
I still don't know where the overflow tube is OR if there is more than one 5mm drain plug. I FULLY UNDERSTAND THE EFFORT, but nothing speaks louder or clearer than pictures. The two things I know is everything I know about R56 AT's I learned from this thread and my R56 is in my driveway with no ATF.
A personal tip of my hat to all who contributed to this thread. Thanks
I still don't know where the overflow tube is OR if there is more than one 5mm drain plug. I FULLY UNDERSTAND THE EFFORT, but nothing speaks louder or clearer than pictures. The two things I know is everything I know about R56 AT's I learned from this thread and my R56 is in my driveway with no ATF.
A personal tip of my hat to all who contributed to this thread. Thanks
This is the easiest way for a r56 S:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ion-fluid.html
The overflow is inside the drain plug canal. It cannot be seen.
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 68
Likes: 2
IDK about filling from the top, but the only times I've done auto fluid change, the overflow was internal. There is a little pipe attached to the fill hole. It's about 2" tall. WHen you inject oil up into the pan, it comes out of that pipe. Once the level gets high enough, it overflows, but the car must be running and the transmission must be warmed up for the level to be gauged accurately. You have to remove the fill injector in order to see if it's full or not. It'll just flow out until the level is correct. Very bad method IMO, just another reason I hate automatics and prefer manual.
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 197
IDK about filling from the top, but the only times I've done auto fluid change, the overflow was internal. There is a little pipe attached to the fill hole. It's about 2" tall. WHen you inject oil up into the pan, it comes out of that pipe. Once the level gets high enough, it overflows, but the car must be running and the transmission must be warmed up for the level to be gauged accurately. You have to remove the fill injector in order to see if it's full or not. It'll just flow out until the level is correct. Very bad method IMO, just another reason I hate automatics and prefer manual.
My Japanese transmission outlived my French engine. POS of crap engine.
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 197
Which transmission does the non turbo car have?
Automatics have a torque converter. It cannot be drained via the drain plug. It contains a few quarts of oil in it.
Additionally, all the fluid never drains out of the transmission via the drain plug. Therefore the best you can do is drain as much as possible, then add new fluid. Drain, add more fluid etc. You will never get all the old dirty oil out....at a reasonable price. Maybe if you flushed it twenty times....
For the that matter, you never get all the dirty oil out of the engine either.
Automatics have a torque converter. It cannot be drained via the drain plug. It contains a few quarts of oil in it.
Additionally, all the fluid never drains out of the transmission via the drain plug. Therefore the best you can do is drain as much as possible, then add new fluid. Drain, add more fluid etc. You will never get all the old dirty oil out....at a reasonable price. Maybe if you flushed it twenty times....
For the that matter, you never get all the dirty oil out of the engine either.
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