Transmission Talk (bad fluid?)

GenePoole · 12-09-2010, 06:44 PM

With all this transmission talk, I decided to check mine. I've got 90K on the clock and I've been debating on whether to change it or not. Anyway, after crawling around under the thing for awhile, and running it through all the steps, I opened the fill port and a bit trickled out indicating that the level was OK, but the color of the fluid scared me.

What color is ZF fluid supposed to be? Here's some photos with some new Castrol Dexron III as a control:

Barbera335 · 12-09-2010, 07:05 PM

They always look like that, especially with 90k. Very normal, I would recommend a trans service with a new filter, the filter is integral with the plastic oil pan, and you should be fine.

ps. New fluid is a golden color, ZF trans does not use the normal pink trans fluid.

fdriller9 · 12-09-2010, 07:40 PM

Yea I was expecting it to be black.....just like our engine oil after 15k. Though I change my oil more frequently now.

Thanks for the comparison though. It was interesting.

So did you swap out the fluid or just take a sample? I think you should either get it changed quickly or top off the fluid again because the fluid will contract. When you fill you transmission fluid, you're suppose to have the car running so the fluid gets warm and expands.....then you top off.

TENCHI · 12-09-2010, 08:04 PM

according to the oil on the floor of my garage, its dark brownish/yellowish...kind of like motor oil....oh and my car is 4 yrs old with 28k miles on it

GenePoole · 12-09-2010, 08:08 PM

I ran into town and back to warm everything up. I didn't stick a thermometer in it, but it felt about right. I jacked it up with a magnetic level on the rocker panel and started it up and ran it through the gears. I was surprised any trickled out. I had assumed some of it would have leaked/degraded/whatever. It was probably topped off cold some time in it's life.

Turkeybaster115 · 12-09-2010, 09:29 PM

please change your trans fluid. There is no such thing as "lifetime" transmission fluid. I changed mine at 50K, and I wish I had done it even sooner. If you want OEM fluid, you can buy motorcraft mercon sp, as it is simply re-labeled as lifeguard6, and priced outrageously.

bmw6953 · 12-10-2010, 08:50 AM

I driven 60k since the last time I replaced the trans fluid ( replaced it when the car had 50k) and it looks like a light to medium brown color. New fluid has a amber or golden color. Im starting to think maybe the fluid can last up to 100k miles.

F32Fleet · 12-10-2010, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw6953

I driven 60k since the last time I replaced the trans fluid ( replaced it when the car had 50k) and it looks like a light to medium brown color. New fluid has a amber or golden color. Im starting to think maybe the fluid can last up to 100k miles.

It's not the fluid I'm worried about, but the clutch material.

benzo23 · 12-10-2010, 09:40 AM

That is what CPO is for...something breaks drop a $50 spot and i get a new one. "If its not broke dont fix it"

GenePoole · 12-10-2010, 10:35 AM

That's nice if you're eligible, but I opted against the $3K the dealer suggested for an extended warranty from some schmo I'd never heard of.

GenePoole · 12-10-2010, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turkeybaster115

please change your trans fluid. There is no such thing as "lifetime" transmission fluid. I changed mine at 50K, and I wish I had done it even sooner. If you want OEM fluid, you can buy motorcraft mercon sp, as it is simply re-labeled as lifeguard6, and priced outrageously.

Thanks for the info. I've run across your posts before in searches, but this is the first I've seen of a firm commitment that Motorcraft Mercon SP IS the same stuff. At $5 a quart v. $20 a liter, that's worth considering.

Chriztofor · 12-10-2010, 11:07 AM

OP: If you are worried about it, you should have it tested http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

Also, I don't think transmission oil is suppose to turn black. Engine oil turns black because of carbon. When I changed my transmission fluid the second time (after only 7,000 miles) it was still red. Sidenote: here is my DIY http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=367729

GenePoole · 12-13-2010, 01:05 PM

Hmmm. My Mercon SP showed up over the weekend and it is RED just like conventional trans fluids and very unlike the Lifeguard6 ZF which is Amber. Now I don't know what to think.

12-09-2010, 06:44 PM	#1
GenePoole Lieutenant 46 Rep 541 Posts Drives: 2012 F30 328i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Brighton, IL iTrader: (0)	Transmission Talk (bad fluid?) With all this transmission talk, I decided to check mine. I've got 90K on the clock and I've been debating on whether to change it or not. Anyway, after crawling around under the thing for awhile, and running it through all the steps, I opened the fill port and a bit trickled out indicating that the level was OK, but the color of the fluid scared me. What color is ZF fluid supposed to be? Here's some photos with some new Castrol Dexron III as a control: Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

12-09-2010, 07:05 PM	#2
Barbera335 Captain 169 Rep 660 Posts Drives: F25 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: socal iTrader: (0)	They always look like that, especially with 90k. Very normal, I would recommend a trans service with a new filter, the filter is integral with the plastic oil pan, and you should be fine. ps. New fluid is a golden color, ZF trans does not use the normal pink trans fluid.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2010, 07:40 PM	#3
fdriller9 Banned 253 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	Yea I was expecting it to be black.....just like our engine oil after 15k. Though I change my oil more frequently now. Thanks for the comparison though. It was interesting. So did you swap out the fluid or just take a sample? I think you should either get it changed quickly or top off the fluid again because the fluid will contract. When you fill you transmission fluid, you're suppose to have the car running so the fluid gets warm and expands.....then you top off.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2010, 08:04 PM	#4
TENCHI Lieutenant 53 Rep 552 Posts Drives: '19 G12, '17 E300 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	according to the oil on the floor of my garage, its dark brownish/yellowish...kind of like motor oil....oh and my car is 4 yrs old with 28k miles on it __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2010, 08:08 PM	#5
GenePoole Lieutenant 46 Rep 541 Posts Drives: 2012 F30 328i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Brighton, IL iTrader: (0)	I ran into town and back to warm everything up. I didn't stick a thermometer in it, but it felt about right. I jacked it up with a magnetic level on the rocker panel and started it up and ran it through the gears. I was surprised any trickled out. I had assumed some of it would have leaked/degraded/whatever. It was probably topped off cold some time in it's life.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2010, 09:29 PM	#6
Turkeybaster115 Banned 74 Rep 1,543 Posts Drives: 335I Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Illinois iTrader: (2)	please change your trans fluid. There is no such thing as "lifetime" transmission fluid. I changed mine at 50K, and I wish I had done it even sooner. If you want OEM fluid, you can buy motorcraft mercon sp, as it is simply re-labeled as lifeguard6, and priced outrageously.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-10-2010, 08:50 AM	#7
bmw6953 Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 257 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: california iTrader: (0)	I driven 60k since the last time I replaced the trans fluid ( replaced it when the car had 50k) and it looks like a light to medium brown color. New fluid has a amber or golden color. Im starting to think maybe the fluid can last up to 100k miles.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-10-2010, 09:40 AM	#9
benzo23 Colonel 74 Rep 2,848 Posts Drives: 14 F30 AW MSport Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: FL iTrader: (1)	That is what CPO is for...something breaks drop a $50 spot and i get a new one. "If its not broke dont fix it"
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-10-2010, 10:35 AM	#10
GenePoole Lieutenant 46 Rep 541 Posts Drives: 2012 F30 328i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Brighton, IL iTrader: (0)	That's nice if you're eligible, but I opted against the $3K the dealer suggested for an extended warranty from some schmo I'd never heard of.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-10-2010, 11:07 AM	#12
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	OP: If you are worried about it, you should have it tested http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ Also, I don't think transmission oil is suppose to turn black. Engine oil turns black because of carbon. When I changed my transmission fluid the second time (after only 7,000 miles) it was still red. Sidenote: here is my DIY http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=367729 __________________ If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger Last edited by Chriztofor; 12-13-2010 at 11:50 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-13-2010, 01:05 PM	#13
GenePoole Lieutenant 46 Rep 541 Posts Drives: 2012 F30 328i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Brighton, IL iTrader: (0)	Hmmm. My Mercon SP showed up over the weekend and it is RED just like conventional trans fluids and very unlike the Lifeguard6 ZF which is Amber. Now I don't know what to think.
	Appreciate 0 Quote