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      11-22-2010, 12:16 AM   #1
Trier Germany
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Arrow DIY: M-DCT Oil Change/Top Up

Question

Has anyone had there M-DCT oil changed? BMW says it is a lifetime oil but I think they are smoking something! I talked to some Motorsport teams at Nurburgring and they Suggested if you run your car hard and track it to replace the oil at 50,0000 KM or 60KM. They said it is basically a drain it and fill it job.

Any one tried it had any problems? I was thinking of letting them change it

It looks like Porsche, VW and BMW use the same oil Petosin. VW uses FFL 2 Porsche uses FFL 3 and BMW uses FFl 4. The race team runs 4 Audi race cars with DSG gearboxes and change there fluid quite often.

Double Clutch Transmission Fluid - Pentosin FFL 4
Size:
1 liter (1.06 quarts), Part# 1080107
20 liters (5.28 gallons), Special Order
Color: Amber
CLICK HERE FOR DOUBLE CLUTCH TRANSMISSION FLUID SPEC SHEET
  • BMW DCT Transmission (M3 2008 on) BMW approved
Best Regards


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      11-22-2010, 12:35 AM   #2
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When I looked up the TIS I could not find any Service Manuals for DCT oil change. Looks like BMW really does not want anyone to change the oil. There is only a manual for topping up the fluid level.

- Connect diagnosis system and
start service functions (drive).
- Start engine (drive position N or
P)
- Record transmission temperature
using Tester
- (Drive position P)
- Permissible starting temperature
≤ 32 °C
- Idle speed: maintain at approx.
2000 rpm for 1 minute.
- Open fluid adjusting screw (1)
- Fill until fluid emerges
Max. transmission fluid
temperature 40 °C
- Insert screw

BMW DCTF-1
83 22 0 440 214 1-litre can

BMW DCTF-1
83 22 2 147 477 20-litre can
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      11-22-2010, 12:36 AM   #3
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Most of the problems occurred when techs put wrong oil in DCTs. It's not rocket science, but you need the correct procedure. Tranny has both fill and drain plugs, just like 6MTs, so no problems there. Easiest way to do it would be to carefully measure what comes out and put that amount back in, but that requires no leaks during the drain .

You're going to get a million replies saying 'follow the manual', but you're smart to know no fluid is going to last the life of the vehicle... unless you want the life of your tranny severely shortened , especially when car is getting tracked. Good luck man.

EDIT: Noticed topping off procedure is listed above; that's all you need. Drain, fill, then top off. DCT has no converter, so it's like a manual tranny in that regard. Good luck.
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      11-22-2010, 05:54 PM   #4
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I posted this bit of help awhile back as a caution that might help.
Post #18
also read the document attached to that post.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...8&postcount=18
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      11-23-2010, 01:02 AM   #5
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Here's the online version:

http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B280308g.htm
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      11-23-2010, 06:35 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rldzhao View Post

Thanks alot!

It looks like it's a simple drain and fill. The only limpfac is I don't have a BMW computer to do the final servicingThe oil is readily available here in Germany. And the stealerships will not perform this maintenance bummer So what to do maybe contact Getrag and see if they have a procedure for draining and filling this tranny?
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      11-26-2010, 12:13 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trier Germany View Post
Thanks alot!

It looks like it's a simple drain and fill. The only limpfac is I don't have a BMW computer to do the final servicingThe oil is readily available here in Germany. And the stealerships will not perform this maintenance bummer So what to do maybe contact Getrag and see if they have a procedure for draining and filling this tranny?

Yes, it looks like a simple procedure, complicated by the need for the GT1 computer system. Would be nice if the OBDII readers could do this procedure but it's highly unlikely.

Another thought would be for someone to contact South Side Performance (SSP) since they offer upgraded clutches and oil for the BMW DCT and see how they are able to change the oil or even reinstall a rebuilt transmission for that matter.
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      11-26-2010, 02:45 PM   #8
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I think the whole point of the computer is to read the transmission temp to ensure that it is around 40 deg. C when you perform the top off. I suppose you could stick a thermometer through the hole to measure the temp.
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      11-26-2010, 07:12 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rldzhao View Post
I think the whole point of the computer is to read the transmission temp to ensure that it is around 40 deg. C when you perform the top off. I suppose you could stick a thermometer through the hole to measure the temp.
Good point! That would be great if it's just for tranny temp (perhaps an OBD reader could read that too). Then from the sounds of it, after draining all the DCT fluid you fill it up until it runs out of the fill whole, this evidently is then 1.5L low. Then start the motor, run at 2,000 rpm and when trans temp is 40C, keep motor running and add the last 1.5L or so of fluid until it runs out the fill hole. Does that sound right to everyone?
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      11-27-2010, 04:27 PM   #10
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If I am reading the TIS that RLDZHAO posted correctly, that procedure is for a new, internally bone dry gearbox.

Most times, you wouldn't expect to get all of the fluid out. For someone just doing a drain and fill, I would think that you won't have to add 1.5L to top off...probably a lot less.

Unless the GT1 activates something, I think the thermometer thing would work.

Just curious to hear an expert weigh in on the benefits of doing a 1200 mile DCT break in service with the CORRECT fluid.
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      11-28-2010, 03:24 AM   #11
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Anxiously awaiting the first success story here for a DIY of this job. Many will use and follow the validated procedure to avoid BMWs ridiculous claims and stubbornness on this issue.
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Last edited by swamp2; 11-28-2010 at 06:54 PM..
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      12-11-2010, 04:46 AM   #12
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AWESOME NEWS! thanks.

OP, let us know how things went down for you.
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      12-21-2010, 08:09 PM   #13
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someone should chime in with a high-mileage DCT who has NOT changed their fluid to let us know how their tranny is doing..

Stupid question, but is the DCT fluid actually exposed to high temps?
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      12-22-2010, 10:04 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IFX View Post
someone should chime in with a high-mileage DCT who has NOT changed their fluid to let us know how their tranny is doing..

Stupid question, but is the DCT fluid actually exposed to high temps?
My DCT is at 51K, still shifts and performs great, haven't noticed any issues.
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      12-23-2010, 03:26 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grendelrt View Post
My DCT is at 51K, still shifts and performs great, haven't noticed any issues.
That is not exactly "high" mileage with regards to the lifespan of a solid transmission. Perhaps relatively high mileage for the entire set of M-DCT cars out there but that is a different "high". Should one really expect and problems with their M-DCT before 100k mi? The point of changing tranny fluid, much like changing motor oil is entirely preventative. I'm at 4X thousand miles and I really want to change mine, but I also don't feel like being the guinea pig...
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      12-26-2010, 12:12 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swamp2 View Post
That is not exactly "high" mileage with regards to the lifespan of a solid transmission. Perhaps relatively high mileage for the entire set of M-DCT cars out there but that is a different "high". Should one really expect and problems with their M-DCT before 100k mi? The point of changing tranny fluid, much like changing motor oil is entirely preventative. I'm at 4X thousand miles and I really want to change mine, but I also don't feel like being the guinea pig...


Your at 4k miles? Dude i wouldn't touch the tranny fluid yet..
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      12-26-2010, 01:07 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IFX View Post
Your at 4k miles? Dude i wouldn't touch the tranny fluid yet..
4X THOUSAND.
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      12-26-2010, 03:23 PM   #18
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At 40K, I'd definitely do it. Better a bit early than late, especially if you don't plan to pay a dealer an arm and a leg to activate the pump to drain the cooler. No need to before your fluid is nasty. I'd probably do it at 30K the first time. I'm doing my 6MT at the 2-yr mark, even though it'll only have about 8K. I want to make sure level is right, and that the right fluid is in; I immediately felt a change for the worse right after the 1,200-mile service. The good news is 6MT oil is MUCH cheaper than DCT , but in both cases is just 2 liters for a drain and refill, so not bad at all. Changing DCT oil is just like 6MT (drain and fill holes), with the exception DCT has to be running (both have to be level) while topping it off, like most auto trannies. The procedure is somewhere here (or on another thread; just search). There's no converter to drain, so once you have the right oil and a way to raise the car level (easy with 2 ramps, 2 jack stands, and a low floor jack), it's pretty hard to screw up the oil change if you know what you're doing. Good luck.
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      12-26-2010, 09:15 PM   #19
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Again, who wants to bet their DCT tranny that this is a simple drain and fill job???
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      12-27-2010, 02:04 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigjae1976 View Post
Again, who wants to bet their DCT tranny that this is a simple drain and fill job???
Precisely...
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      12-27-2010, 03:13 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swamp2 View Post
Precisely...
This thread is for people who want to DIY . For folks who think they need a 'DCT oil change' 2-year degree and kryptonite tools to do it, that's PRECISELY what dealers are for .

If you remove 'x' amount of DCT fluid and put exactly the same amount in, according to the official procedure posted somewhere, nothing is going to blow up . We're talking about an oil change, not a clutch change or a rebuild. Signing off this thread. Best wishes for the new year.
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      12-28-2010, 01:04 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elp_jc View Post
This thread is for people who want to DIY . For folks who think they need a 'DCT oil change' 2-year degree and kryptonite tools to do it, that's PRECISELY what dealers are for .

If you remove 'x' amount of DCT fluid and put exactly the same amount in, according to the official procedure posted somewhere, nothing is going to blow up . We're talking about an oil change, not a clutch change or a rebuild. Signing off this thread. Best wishes for the new year.
Hmmm. I never suggested a fluid swap takes an PhD. However, as another person pointed out, everything posted here is for topping off a "serviced" transmission that is bone dry. There is not even a description of which fasteners are the drain plug(s). And to do this right (as per BMW spec) you do need the computer diagnostic tool - a slightly more complex job than changing your oil or MT fluid...
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