//// Anyone Familiar With This Tranny Leak ? \\\\

Car has a 6 Speed Getrag tranny found in ZHPs. Most likely has similar components to the M3 Getrag and to the ZF 5 and 6 speed transmission. So this is relative of all manual transmission.

Noticed some oil spills, on my transmission, near the output shaft. I tried to locate the leak but couldn't see much because of teh tight space and bad lighting. It wasnt much of a spill but just a few drops on the tranny casing right below the output flange. Never noticed any drops on the driveway so its not a big leak.

It looked as if it was leaking from the Shaft seal, which one? I couldnt recognize which one. Either # 8 or #9.



I had my tranny flushes over 5 months ago, the possibility of a spill at that time is out of the question.

Anyone ever had to replace those seals, or had similar problem?


Thanks.

You sure your tranny is a getrag? My old ZHP had a ZF transmission (GS6-37BZ). As far as I'm aware, all 03/2003 and newer 330s got that ZF tranny. Same transmission that's found in the E90 330i and E85/86 MZ4. E46 M3 had the older, but more robust S6S-420G

Have in mind that the location of the oil residues can be misleading as to locating the source. Oil from oil filter housing leak / oil pan leak / PS pump can blow its way to the bottom of the output shaft. Additionally, oil could be leaking from the shifter lever around #8. So, getting a shaft seal rebuilt kit might not be the wisest solution for now. I'd start by cleaning the whole area and frequently monitoring for new oil residues.

Originally Posted by TerraPhantm

You sure your tranny is a getrag? My old ZHP had a ZF transmission (GS6-37BZ). As far as I'm aware, all 03/2003 and newer 330s got that ZF tranny. Same transmission that's found in the E90 330i and E85/86 MZ4. E46 M3 had the older, but more robust S6S-420G

I've heard stories of ZF vs Getrag, but I believe its a Getrag. I could not see the stamp unless I put the car of a lift. But many online data suggests that its getrag.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/conte...Package-Option

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...ghlight=getrag

Originally Posted by paraklas

Have in mind that the location of the oil residues can be misleading as to locating the source. Oil from oil filter housing leak / oil pan leak / PS pump can blow its way to the bottom of the output shaft. Additionally, oil could be leaking from the shifter lever around #8. So, getting a shaft seal rebuilt kit might not be the wisest solution for now. I'd start by cleaning the whole area and frequently monitoring for new oil residues.

I'm certain that my PS isnt leaking but my OFHG is leaking very slightly. But I doubt it can get that far.

I did clean everything and will be checking every month or so, but I'm almost positive that its leaking out of the seal #9. When I cleaned it, I noticed oil mixed with sand around the output shaft on the tranny casing itself. Very little, but its there.

Couldnt even get any pics to show , here is one to show how much oil mixed with sand I have.

whats the last 7 of your vin? I'll tell you what trans you have.

And yes, i've seen leaks from the output shaft seal, but not very often.

km04552

ugh, you took too long! I got off work at 5! But i'll pull up webetk and look it up here in a bit

ugh, my browser won't bring up the webetk. I'll restart the computer here in a bit and see if it will let me then.

More than likely to be the shifter selector shaft seal.

They both are very common on all BMW's for as long as I can remember but it's usually the shifter seal that leaks and it's amazing how much of a mess it makes. The seal is even higher than the level of the fluid in the gearbox.

The shifter seal is reletively easy other than the tight space, the output shaft seal is more of a pain as you have to pull the flange off.

A good time to replace any shifter bushings etc as you have to remove the shift selector arm anyway.

let me know if you need any pointers.

Originally Posted by Arsevader

More than likely to be the shifter selector shaft seal.

this is true...we do quite a bit of those.

Originally Posted by Arsevader

More than likely to be the shifter selector shaft seal.

They both are very common on all BMW's for as long as I can remember but it's usually the shifter seal that leaks and it's amazing how much of a mess it makes. The seal is even higher than the level of the fluid in the gearbox.

The shifter seal is reletively easy other than the tight space, the output shaft seal is more of a pain as you have to pull the flange off.

A good time to replace any shifter bushings etc as you have to remove the shift selector arm anyway.

let me know if you need any pointers.

Great, Thanks.

So would it be the #8 #23117531360 seal? Would there be any associated clips to replace with it or anything else. I never had to replace that nor the output shaft seal, just want to see what else I might need.

Ya I'll most likely order a few new bushings to replace at the same time, eventhou my shifter feels very solid and has very little side to side play, I know I should replace a few bushings.

Anyone an explain the difference between these two kits, well other then the obvious that teh first kit has DOUBLE the content what changed in 09/03. My car was build in May or June I think.
Under "Bushing kits"

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330...train/Shifter/

Share the pointers please.

Thanks.

That's the right seal. Nothing else to replace with that other than the shifter stuff mentioned. You'll probably wreck the pin shown in the kits below removing it so best to replace it.

The shifter carrier changed in 2003 to a larger arm with 2 clips at one end rather than the standard carrier style that BMW has used for eons. However the change date is a little confusing as the arm change happened in 03/2003 but the double clip change happened later in 09/2003. Rather than rely on the dates I would just get under the car and see how many of the clips you need.

Even though your shifter feels fine I would just replace all the stuff at the gearbox end of the arm if you are in there anyway.

You'll need a good set of picks to remove the seal. Be careful not to mar the gearbox hole or the selector shaft or the seal won't seal properly.

It's a pain to remove it, use the picks carefully or you can also try and screw a small screw into the seal and pull the screw with some needle nose pliers.

You are best to drop the back of the transmission to get better access, even better is to detach the driveshaft and move it out of the way but you don't actually need to but it makes life easier.

Originally Posted by Arsevader

That's the right seal. Nothing else to replace with that other than the shifter stuff mentioned. You'll probably wreck the pin shown in the kits below removing it so best to replace it.

The shifter carrier changed in 2003 to a larger arm with 2 clips at one end rather than the standard carrier style that BMW has used for eons. However the change date is a little confusing as the arm change happened in 03/2003 but the double clip change happened later in 09/2003. Rather than rely on the dates I would just get under the car and see how many of the clips you need.

Even though your shifter feels fine I would just replace all the stuff at the gearbox end of the arm if you are in there anyway.

You'll need a good set of picks to remove the seal. Be careful not to mar the gearbox hole or the selector shaft or the seal won't seal properly.

It's a pain to remove it, use the picks carefully or you can also try and screw a small screw into the seal and pull the screw with some needle nose pliers.

You are best to drop the back of the transmission to get better access, even better is to detach the driveshaft and move it out of the way but you don't actually need to but it makes life easier.

Don't mean to hijack, but can the post 09/2003 shift setup be retrofitted into a 10/2000 build ZF?

Originally Posted by iansanderson

Don't mean to hijack, but can the post 09/2003 shift setup be retrofitted into a 10/2000 build ZF?

Not sure but the carrier is not specific to the gearbox, it's dependent on the car.

Thanks Arsevader, I'll have to check tomorrow, most likely its a single pin carrier. We'll see.

I'll replace the 25111222688 Gearshift rod joint as well. I'll have to talk to Mike at Maranello , he seems to be getting me the best deals.

Looked at this link http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=269673 seems easy enough. Just need to find the torque spec for the driveshaft to guibo bolts.

^ you'll never get a torque wrench in there. Maybe a crows foot.

I might, I was able to use my torque wrench when I replaced my tranny monts.

The shaft is on a totally different angle thou, well if I cant then tight enough will do it.

impact for the driveshaft bolts ftw

Checked the tranny and its a ZF. I also have the newer style shifter carrier with 2 mounting points, despite the fact that my car is build in May of '03. Meaning the ECS website is wrong.

I learn something new everyday.