DIY Oil Change, Air Filter, Cabin Filter, Power Steering Fluid

What's TC fluid?

But don't you want to change the oil drain plug washer once in a while or is that just not necessary since you are not removing/installing it with an extractor?

Originally Posted by anhtu402

What's TC fluid?

But don't you want to change the oil drain plug washer once in a while or is that just not necessary since you are not removing/installing it with an extractor?

Well, TC=Transfer Case. I would like to every now and then, however at some point (pre-e46fanatic membership) an oil change place stripped my drain plug hole and an indy placed found this issue and offered to re-thread and use a larger bolt en lieu of replacing the entire oil pan. This past oil change I put a little liquid gasket on the existing plug and won't mess with it again until I replace the oil pan.

Originally Posted by Juvat76

Well, TC=Transfer Case. I would like to every now and then, however at some point (pre-e46fanatic membership) an oil change place stripped my drain plug hole and an indy placed found this issue and offered to re-thread and use a larger bolt en lieu of replacing the entire oil pan. This past oil change I put a little liquid gasket on the existing plug and won't mess with it again until I replace the oil pan.

Sounds like you are a good candidate for an oil extractor.

Originally Posted by anhtu402

I'm planning to do all fluid maintenance on my 2002 325 XI.

These are my fluid plans, what are yours?

Transmission Oil : Redline MTL (70W80)
Transfer Xase: Redline MTL (70W80)
Differentials (front/rear): Redline 75W-90
Power Steering: ATF DIII
Engine Oil: Mobil 1 5w-30

Supposedly OEM Tranny/Differential fluid is Pentosin 75w-80 (http://www.autohausaz.com)

What do you think?

I went out to the dealership to see if I could get the OEM fluids, they said I would have to buy them in a bulk, when asked how much, they were unable to answer me. The local dealership is currently pissing me off, as I ordered some parts, pre-paid, then came and pick it up, they were unable to locate them.

I was planning on the following :

Transmission Oil : Redline MTL (70W80)
Transfer Case: Redline MTL (70W80)
Differentials (front/rear): Castrol Synthetic Gear Oil 75W-90
Power Steering: ATF DIII
Engine Oil: Mobil 1 5w-30

Originally Posted by Kubica

All the screws only need about 3/4 turn to tighten. Power tool might be bulky under there. The plastic rivets up front are the hardest part.

A small lithium ion battery screwdriver is very light non bulky, and great for lazy people like me.

Also not so much torque that you are going to strip any threads.

Originally Posted by anhtu402 View Post

Transmission Oil : Redline D4 ATF
Transfer Xase: Redline D4 ATF
Differentials (front/rear): Redline 75W-90
Power Steering: Redline D4 ATF
Engine Oil: German Castrol 0w-30, BMW, or Mobil 1 5w-40


Could I use Dexron III for the Transfer Case and Manual Transmission too, instead of Dexron IV ?
That's what I used for the Power Steering.

I have a case of the the Dexron III, but if that wont work, I will buy something else.

Ok, maybe this is a separate thread,
but you have me curious on the oil extractors.

What brand is recommended, and how much are they ?
What is their capacity ?

Manual pumping or electric ?

I've never heard of them before.

Not sure for 2 oil changes a year, if it's worth it for me.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by silentguy

Ok, maybe this is a separate thread,
but you have me curious on the oil extractors.

What brand is recommended, and how much are they ?
What is their capacity ?

Manual pumping or electric ?

I've never heard of them before.

Not sure for 2 oil changes a year, if it's worth it for me.

Thanks.

1.) Mityvac, about $70-$80
2.) Capacity varies, but you can get one that will easily hold the volume of oil in your car. You can also get one which both extracts and dispenses. Works well if you want to pump the oil or other fluids into another container. Can also get a brake bleeder attachment but I'm not sure how well that works.
3.) Manual Pump
4.) Cool, now you have.
5.) It's very worth it when it's -30F outside and you need to change your oil.

Originally Posted by silentguy

I was planning on the following :

Transmission Oil : Redline MTL (70W80)
Transfer Case: Redline MTL (70W80)
Differentials (front/rear): Castrol Synthetic Gear Oil 75W-90
Power Steering: ATF DIII
Engine Oil: Mobil 1 5w-30

FYI, Mobil 1 5w30 is NOT a recommended oil for your car. You need Mobil 1 0w40.

Originally Posted by silentguy

Originally Posted by anhtu402 View Post

Transmission Oil : Redline D4 ATF
Transfer Xase: Redline D4 ATF
Differentials (front/rear): Redline 75W-90
Power Steering: Redline D4 ATF
Engine Oil: German Castrol 0w-30, BMW, or Mobil 1 5w-40


Could I use Dexron III for the Transfer Case and Manual Transmission too, instead of Dexron IV ?
That's what I used for the Power Steering.

I have a case of the the Dexron III, but if that wont work, I will buy something else.

If the spec is gear oil, I wouldn't use an ATF in it's place.

Originally Posted by Rickna

If the spec is gear oil, I wouldn't use an ATF in it's place.

Thanks Good point.

I assume the D4 recommendation was for the Automatic Transmission then.

http://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/...he-suck-bucket

How about this to build your own oil extractor using a shop vac and a 5 gallon bucket.

I do have a shop vac lying around not doing much, maybe I will try this.

Originally Posted by SamDoe1

FYI, Mobil 1 5w30 is NOT a recommended oil for your car. You need Mobil 1 0w40.

Yeah I know, my engine is going to blow up if I use 5W30,
and not the Euro Spec oil.



For a cheapie like me, I dont think it will make a diff. as I will be changing my oil every 6,000 miles or so, so wont need the 15,000 mile rating.

It probably makes a little diff to use 0w40, but even for Tribologist's, I am sure they wouldn't be able to tell.

Originally Posted by silentguy

http://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/...he-suck-bucket

How about this to build your own oil extractor using a shop vac and a 5 gallon bucket.

I do have a shop vac lying around not doing much, maybe I will try this.

Here's a youtube of someone doing the shop vac oil extraction:

Originally Posted by SamDoe1

FYI, Mobil 1 5w30 is NOT a recommended oil for your car. You need Mobil 1 0w40.

I agree. However, a VERY good tech from Turner Motorsports that I know uses Castrol 5w-30 in all his customers' cars that he does on the side. I had it in my car for about 5k miles with no problems. He acknowledges it's not "BMW approved" oil, but emphatically claims it is 110% fine for 5k mile oil change intervals. It's a business, not a hobby for him though.

I had 15w-50 in my engine for a few months last summer to cut down on lifter-tick when it got very hot out. Again, no problems.

Originally Posted by silentguy

Thanks Good point.

I assume the D4 recommendation was for the Automatic Transmission then.

Whoa- I have no idea what oil to put in an AT. I would probably buy BMW oil for an AT.

Here is the blurb from Turner's website for driveline fluids:

Location Fill Quantity (quarts)
5-speed manual transmission (Red Line D4 ATF) 1.1 to 1.3
Transfer Case (RedLine D4 ATF) 0.16
Front Differential (Red Line 75/90) 0.74
Rear Differential (Red Line 75/90) 1.06

Redline D4 ATF is also good for the power steering fluid.

Some people prefer Redline MTL to Redline D4 ATF in their manual tranny because it's a little thicker. It's too thick for my gearbox, so I tried D4 ATF mixed 50/50 with MTL and it's still too thick.

Fluids for the xi should be straightforward. These are tried and true:

Oil: Castrol 0w30, BMW, or Mobile 0w-40 (7-8)
TC, MT, PS: Redline D4 ATF (4-5)
Diffs: Redline 75w-90 (2-3)
Coolant: BMW (1-2gal.)
Brake: ATE SuperBlue or any DOT 4 (1-2L)

Originally Posted by Kubica

Whoa- I have no idea what oil to put in an AT. I would probably buy BMW oil for an AT.

Here is the blurb from Turner's website for driveline fluids:

Location Fill Quantity (quarts)
5-speed manual transmission (Red Line D4 ATF) 1.1 to 1.3
Transfer Case (RedLine D4 ATF) 0.16
Front Differential (Red Line 75/90) 0.74
Rear Differential (Red Line 75/90) 1.06

Redline D4 ATF is also good for the power steering fluid.

Some people prefer Redline MTL to Redline D4 ATF in their manual tranny because it's a little thicker. It's too thick for my gearbox, so I tried D4 ATF mixed 50/50 with MTL and it's still too thick.

Fluids for the xi should be straightforward. These are tried and true:

Oil: Castrol 0w30, BMW, or Mobile 0w-40 (7-8)
TC, MT, PS: Redline D4 ATF (4-5)
Diffs: Redline 75w-90 (2-3)
Coolant: BMW (1-2gal.)
Brake: ATE SuperBlue or any DOT 4 (1-2L)

From my experience BMW dealer will only sell ATF in bulk, I think 20 liters or so.
There are 2 different types of ATF used in E46 AT's-There will be either a green label or yellow label on the AT pan. You must use the same type originally used.

Originally Posted by Rickna

From my experience BMW dealer will only sell ATF in bulk, I think 20 liters or so.
There are 2 different types of ATF used in E46 AT's-There will be either a green label or yellow label on the AT pan. You must use the same type originally used.

Well sounds like there is not much difference between
ATF D3 and D4. (Dexron III and Dexron IV)

If they are recommending that D4 can be used in the manual transmission,
then there's not much difference between this ATF D4 and a gear oil.

I guess it would be good to have an oil analysis.

I'll probably use what is recommended in the Bentley's BMW manual.
Will go look it up.

Search around...

Originally Posted by venzon

According to the chart I'm reading, you have a GM trans A5S390R. Unfortunately, I cannot attached the document due to size limitations. I copied and pasted the relevant section below for you.

Table a. Automatic transmission applications
Model Year Transmission
323i/Ci 1999 - 2000 A5S360R (up to 03/00)
A5S325Z (from 03/00)
325i (M54) 2001 - 2005 A5S325Z (up to 03/02)
A5S390R (from 03/02)
325i (M56) 2003 - 2005 A5S325Z
325Ci 2001 - 2005 A5S325Z (up to 03/03)
A5S390R (from 03/03)
328i/Ci 1999 - 2000 A5S360R
330i/Ci 2001 - 2005 A5S325Z (up to 03/03)
A5S390R (from 03/03)
325xi 330xi 2001 - 2005 A5S390R

ATF fluid type labels
• Orange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dexron III
• Yellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Texaco ETL 7045E
(BMW p/n 83 22 0 026 922)
• Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Texaco ETL 8072B
(BMW p/n 83 22 0 024 359)
• Blue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Esso 71141 LT
(BMW p/n 83 2 29 407 807)
CAUTION —
• Only re-fill or top off using ATF fluid specified for the transmission.
Mixing or adding incorrect ATF fluids will lead to transmission
damage.
• ATF specifications are subject to change and fluids are constantly
being improved and updated. Always check with an authorized
BMW dealer parts department for the latest
transmission operating fluids information.

Originally Posted by Rickna

From my experience BMW dealer will only sell ATF in bulk, I think 20 liters or so.
There are 2 different types of ATF used in E46 AT's-There will be either a green label or yellow label on the AT pan. You must use the same type originally used.

What about this:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

And this:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

I think you can buy smaller quantities . . .and you can always bring your own container to the dealer parts counter.