Attention DCT owners, big problem?

Mr Rooty Von Tooty · 04-08-2017, 01:08 PM

I took my ride into the dealer for some service issues. The tech informed me that there was an oil leak, so he set me up for an appointment to investigate it.

The following week I returned, and the tech found the oil leak. The DCT was leaking! The belly pan covering the transmission was catching it, so I wasn't seeing any oil on my garage floor.

Fortunately, my car is still under warranty, because this repair is going to be expensive. The leak is topside, so the transmission has to be removed to get to the problem area. So far all we know it's leaking. When it comes out, the tech will be able to see inside it to examine it for damage. He tells me there is a big magnet inside to catch metal particles which will tell if there is any damage.

Like myself other owners might not be aware of this problem, since the oil may not show up on their garage floor. It isn't difficult to inspect for it. It is easy to remove the cover to see if the underside of the unit is dry! A warning if you do have the leak and don't catch it, the DCT will lose oil until the level gets to a critical level where it won't function!

Here's another unhappy thought for you, the replacement cost is over $10K! I guess at that point the choice is fixing it or sending it to the junkyard!

But my happy carefree life was further aggravated by the BMW loaner, 28i X1! I have nicknamed it My Floaty Boaty.

sometorque · 04-08-2017, 01:29 PM

Common issue with these cars that has been documented on here a few times. e90 m3 guys have been dealing with this issue for a few years now.

The mechatronic sleeve will over time start to leak, as well as the DCT pan. The seal on the sleeve eventually goes and evidently, the pan and transmission both heat and cool at different rates (different metallurgy is the common theory). This causes the seal over time to fail and cause the fluid to seep.

m3 forums seem to have a ton more information than what is on here. Might be a good place to hunt around for info. Good luck.

tock172 · 04-08-2017, 01:35 PM

Already documented within the thread I've linked below.

My DCT is actually leaking right now. I recently took it in to the dealer for a positive diagnosis. Parts are backordered to Germany but are on the way. Apparently there are some revisions to the problem parts?

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1171239

Mr Rooty Von Tooty · 04-08-2017, 02:08 PM

Interesting!

My car has around 27K miles. I have never abused the transmission, used the Sport button, or the dumb paddles. The car performs fine without any of this rubbish. Also, I have never overheated the DCT or gotten any warnings.

This is quite disappointing. I thought BMW engineers by this time, would have figured out how to keep the oily stuff where it belongs. I've got cars 30 years old that don't leak a drop of anything.

Esteban · 04-08-2017, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tock172

Already documented within the thread I've linked below.

My DCT is actually leaking right now. I recently took it in to the dealer for a positive diagnosis. Parts are backordered to Germany but are on the way. Apparently there are some revisions to the problem parts?

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1171239

I have an appointment this Monday with my dealer for servicing. Inspecting the DCT is on the agenda. Will report back here with the results. Hopefully no leaks. No warranty so any repairs are on me. Will keep my fingers crossed.

a4nut · 04-08-2017, 06:38 PM

Glad I saw this. I'm taking in my "new to me" 135is for its final pre-warranty expiration inspection in 3 weeks. This will be on top of the agenda.

BoosTonian · 04-08-2017, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Rooty Von Tooty

Interesting!

My car has around 27K miles. I have never abused the transmission, used the Sport button, or the dumb paddles. The car performs fine without any of this rubbish. Also, I have never overheated the DCT or gotten any warnings.

This is quite disappointing. I thought BMW engineers by this time, would have figured out how to keep the oily stuff where it belongs. I've got cars 30 years old that don't leak a drop of anything.

Lol they gotta keep dealerships in business somehow

My pan was leaking @ 71k miles...replaced it and did a fluid flush. Fluid was clean according to the tech, so my tranny is healthy (one less thing to worry about)

spoolinE82 · 04-09-2017, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Rooty Von Tooty

Interesting!

My car has around 27K miles. I have never abused the transmission, used the Sport button, or the dumb paddles. The car performs fine without any of this rubbish. Also, I have never overheated the DCT or gotten any warnings.

This is quite disappointing. I thought BMW engineers by this time, would have figured out how to keep the oily stuff where it belongs. I've got cars 30 years old that don't leak a drop of anything.

Thats too bad you found the issue so soon. cant wait til you hit 40k and your warranty is gone and your peice of shit starts rapibg your pocket!! Hahahaha

And you were tryna talk shit on my 335i purchase that hasnt had an issue that major in 106k miles hahaha. Dont bite your tongue before you talk next time... Fuckin idiot. Lol

Lol and you probably shouldve bought a corolla if you didn't want a car with sports mode or paddles etc

tock172 · 04-09-2017, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Rooty Von Tooty

This is quite disappointing. I thought BMW engineers by this time, would have figured out how to keep the oily stuff where it belongs. I've got cars 30 years old that don't leak a drop of anything.

Then sell your BMW and don't come back to the forum.

Mr Rooty Von Tooty · 04-09-2017, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoolinE82

Thats too bad you found the issue so soon. cant wait til you hit 40k and your warranty is gone and your peice of shit starts rapibg your pocket!! Hahahaha

And you were tryna talk shit on my 335i purchase that hasnt had an issue that major in 106k miles hahaha. Dont bite your tongue before you talk next time... Fuckin idiot. Lol

Lol and you probably shouldve bought a corolla if you didn't want a car with sports mode or paddles etc

The issue with any car you have asshole is you. But I wouldn't be laughing if I were you. With your attitude, you'll be pushing up daisies soon!

Mr Rooty Von Tooty · 04-09-2017, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tock172

Then sell your BMW and don't come back to the forum.

Well fuck you ******!

HomoPirate · 04-10-2017, 03:43 AM

DCT leaks is common for our cars. I found mine @53k mileage and it was covered by CPO warranty. Just remember to pay for new DCT fluid or they will put dirty old shit back to your tranny.....

Mr Rooty Von Tooty · 04-10-2017, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomoPirate

DCT leaks is common for our cars. I found mine @53k mileage and it was covered by CPO warranty. Just remember to pay for new DCT fluid or they will put dirty old shit back to your tranny.....

My car is still under warranty.

Who do you use for a dealer? I can't imagine any dealer bothering to catch a couple of qts of old oil. Anyway, repairs under warranty are charged to BMW.

Dthltm · 04-10-2017, 09:34 AM

I put mine in at 48k 2 weeks before the 4 year CPO warranty ended...got the text that there was a transmission leak which is possibly what everyone else is having. Glad it's covered but holy hell am I ready to stop driving this 320i.

spoolinE82 · 04-10-2017, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Rooty Von Tooty

The issue with any car you have asshole is you. But I wouldn't be laughing if I were you. With your attitude, you'll be pushing up daisies soon!

Lol i have warranty for another 24k miles you for 13000 looks like youll be pushing sooner then me hahaha

Anyways this is childish. Peace. Lol

sandlion · 04-10-2017, 08:35 PM

it's lifetime fluid and very expensive so they reuse it per servicing directions.

sandlion · 04-10-2017, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Rooty Von Tooty

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomoPirate

DCT leaks is common for our cars. I found mine @53k mileage and it was covered by CPO warranty. Just remember to pay for new DCT fluid or they will put dirty old shit back to your tranny.....

My car is still under warranty.

Who do you use for a dealer? I can't imagine any dealer bothering to catch a couple of qts of old oil. Anyway, repairs under warranty are charged to BMW.

it's lifetime fluid, and very expensive, so they reuse it per servicing directions.

HomoPirate · 04-10-2017, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Rooty Von Tooty

My car is still under warranty.

Who do you use for a dealer? I can't imagine any dealer bothering to catch a couple of qts of old oil. Anyway, repairs under warranty are charged to BMW.

The dealer I used is Stevens Creek Bmw located in San Jose, CA. I think every dealer will do the same thing which recycle your old DCT fluid because it's expensive and special order. I payed about $220 for new DCT fluid.

Esteban · 04-10-2017, 11:50 PM

Dropped off my car at the dealer this morning and picked it up this afternoon. Got a 28i X3 loaner (yawn). No DCT leaks. Luck of the Irish is still working for me.

HomoPirate · 04-11-2017, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esteban

Dropped off my car at the dealer this morning and picked it up this afternoon. Got a 28i X3 loaner (yawn). No DCT leaks. Luck of the Irish is still working for me.

How many miles of your car at the moment?

Esteban · 04-11-2017, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomoPirate

How many miles of your car at the moment?

Almost 32k.

dandandan · 04-11-2017, 07:11 AM

Had the DCT (side and lower pan) gaskets done twice under warranty. If it happens again, the third time around I am going to make a case with BMW to buy and install the SSP gaskets:

http://www.sspperformance.com/bmw-dc...t-package.html

made of Vitron rubber (google it).

04-08-2017, 01:08 PM	#1
Mr Rooty Von Tooty Banned 117 Rep 460 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 135i M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Dayton, OH iTrader: (0)	Attention DCT owners, big problem? I took my ride into the dealer for some service issues. The tech informed me that there was an oil leak, so he set me up for an appointment to investigate it. The following week I returned, and the tech found the oil leak. The DCT was leaking! The belly pan covering the transmission was catching it, so I wasn't seeing any oil on my garage floor. Fortunately, my car is still under warranty, because this repair is going to be expensive. The leak is topside, so the transmission has to be removed to get to the problem area. So far all we know it's leaking. When it comes out, the tech will be able to see inside it to examine it for damage. He tells me there is a big magnet inside to catch metal particles which will tell if there is any damage. Like myself other owners might not be aware of this problem, since the oil may not show up on their garage floor. It isn't difficult to inspect for it. It is easy to remove the cover to see if the underside of the unit is dry! A warning if you do have the leak and don't catch it, the DCT will lose oil until the level gets to a critical level where it won't function! Here's another unhappy thought for you, the replacement cost is over $10K! I guess at that point the choice is fixing it or sending it to the junkyard! But my happy carefree life was further aggravated by the BMW loaner, 28i X1! I have nicknamed it My Floaty Boaty.
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04-08-2017, 01:29 PM	#2
sometorque Private First Class 63 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 2011 135i DCT Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Boca Raton iTrader: (0)	Common issue with these cars that has been documented on here a few times. e90 m3 guys have been dealing with this issue for a few years now. The mechatronic sleeve will over time start to leak, as well as the DCT pan. The seal on the sleeve eventually goes and evidently, the pan and transmission both heat and cool at different rates (different metallurgy is the common theory). This causes the seal over time to fail and cause the fluid to seep. m3 forums seem to have a ton more information than what is on here. Might be a good place to hunt around for info. Good luck.
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04-08-2017, 01:35 PM	#3
tock172 Beachtown Bill Collector 582 Rep 1,062 Posts Drives: 2012 135i Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW 135i [0.00] 1999 Lexus LS400 [0.00] 1985 BMW 325e [0.00]	Already documented within the thread I've linked below. My DCT is actually leaking right now. I recently took it in to the dealer for a positive diagnosis. Parts are backordered to Germany but are on the way. Apparently there are some revisions to the problem parts? http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1171239 __________________ 2012 BMW 135i Space Grey Metallic M-Sport DCT Dinan S2
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04-08-2017, 02:08 PM	#4
Mr Rooty Von Tooty Banned 117 Rep 460 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 135i M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Dayton, OH iTrader: (0)	Interesting! My car has around 27K miles. I have never abused the transmission, used the Sport button, or the dumb paddles. The car performs fine without any of this rubbish. Also, I have never overheated the DCT or gotten any warnings. This is quite disappointing. I thought BMW engineers by this time, would have figured out how to keep the oily stuff where it belongs. I've got cars 30 years old that don't leak a drop of anything.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-08-2017, 06:38 PM	#6
a4nut Private First Class 103 Rep 174 Posts Drives: 13 135is Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (1)	Glad I saw this. I'm taking in my "new to me" 135is for its final pre-warranty expiration inspection in 3 weeks. This will be on top of the agenda.
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04-10-2017, 03:43 AM	#12
HomoPirate First Lieutenant 84 Rep 331 Posts Drives: Always BMW Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: San Diego iTrader: (3)	DCT leaks is common for our cars. I found mine @53k mileage and it was covered by CPO warranty. Just remember to pay for new DCT fluid or they will put dirty old shit back to your tranny..... __________________ Past: E82 135i Crimson Red \| MPE \| MHD Stage1+ \| Dinan Camber Plate \| LCI Blackline \| Bavsound stage 1 \| KW Coilover V2 \| Past: E93 M3 Vert Alpine White \| Remus Sport Exhaust \| Past: F82 Yas Marina Blue Civic M4\| MPE V2 \| DP \| BM3 \| Apex FL-5 \| MP Part(s) \| Current: F87 M2 Competition Long Beach Blue \| Completely Stock \|
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04-10-2017, 09:34 AM	#14
Dthltm Second Lieutenant 77 Rep 297 Posts Drives: 135i / Deep Sea Blue on Taupe Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	I put mine in at 48k 2 weeks before the 4 year CPO warranty ended...got the text that there was a transmission leak which is possibly what everyone else is having. Glad it's covered but holy hell am I ready to stop driving this 320i.
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04-10-2017, 08:35 PM	#16
sandlion Private First Class 18 Rep 100 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	it's lifetime fluid and very expensive so they reuse it per servicing directions. __________________ 2011 135i DCT Space Gray Metallic \| TR Motorsports 17x8 ET40 Wheels \| Koni Yellows \| FMIC \| Charge Pipe \| MHD Stage 1 \| Riken Raptor 245/40ZR Tires
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04-10-2017, 11:50 PM	#19
Esteban Major General 43790 Rep 7,224 Posts Drives: a slow car fast Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Dropped off my car at the dealer this morning and picked it up this afternoon. Got a 28i X3 loaner (yawn). No DCT leaks. Luck of the Irish is still working for me. __________________
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04-11-2017, 07:11 AM	#22
dandandan Second Lieutenant 102 Rep 265 Posts Drives: 2012 135i N55 DCT Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (1)	Had the DCT (side and lower pan) gaskets done twice under warranty. If it happens again, the third time around I am going to make a case with BMW to buy and install the SSP gaskets: http://www.sspperformance.com/bmw-dc...t-package.html made of Vitron rubber (google it).
	Appreciate 0 Quote