Easy Way To Check Transmission Fluid - BMW Forum

BMW-ATI · 07-28-2005, 08:41 PM

Since my bmw obviously doesnt have a tranmission dipstick or one i cant see at least?

is there any easy way to check and see how transmission fluid I have

bmw 325is auto 1993

BMW-ATI · 07-28-2005, 10:15 PM

anyone?

camnipotent · 07-28-2005, 10:48 PM

It should be in the back of the engine. It's shorter than the oil dipstick. Some BMW's have "Lifetime ATF" that you are not supposed to ever have to change. If you do, you can only get the flud from BMW.

BMW-ATI · 07-28-2005, 11:04 PM

Anyone got a pic,
i dont see it on my 93 325is?

Gkamysz · 07-29-2005, 09:31 AM

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...=glance&s=books

Buy one of these. It will be the best $50 you spend on your car.

700 pages of information pertaining specifically to your BMW.

BMW-ATI · 07-29-2005, 09:56 AM

I know Im going to here soon, but still anyone got a pic?

Gkamysz · 07-29-2005, 10:12 AM

I can check the manual when I get home. I think some of them don't actually have a dipsitck.

e36surge · 07-29-2005, 10:25 AM

Okay lets do this one more time....

GO TO THIS LINK: http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticl..._Fluid_Auto.htm

You DO NOT have a dip stick... READ the article... this forum is here to help YOU solve the problem.... the article is very well written and very clear... so READ IT because it actually answers your question for this thread and I gave you this link in another thread related to this same issue...

If you don't want to do it yourself then print the article and give it to your mechanic. Buy the fluid from BMW.... AND BMW will know how much fluid to give you...

NO I don't know how much the fluid is... call BMW and ask.
NO I don't know what a mechanic will charge... it varies by the region you're in...
YES IT's easy to do yourself and NO I can't do it for you from my computer.

Good luck...

Remember you're more likely to be helped if you help yourself... get the book as others suggest... it is very useful.

e36surge · 07-29-2005, 10:42 AM

here... the attached files may help as well...

Furious · 07-29-2005, 10:47 AM

here is the way i check my tranny fluid,

pop the side plug (not the bottom one or you gonna be doing a tranny oil change)

now when you pop the plug, have a rag directly below the plug just in case of spillover. now if you do get a bit of spillover than immediately you know the level is good. but if you dont, than stick your finger in the hole and you should be able to feel the level, if its just slightly lower than the hole than your still ok, however if its considerably lower like say 4-5cm's than you should just top it up untill you get that spillover.

that was the way i was taught. and it works, its hard to measure actual levels when there is no dipstick however you should know ifyou need a bit more or not when you stick you finger in...

now normally when i check mine it doesnt spillover but if i stick my finger in to check , when i pull out some atf comes out and spills on the ground, usually i know than that im ok.

e36surge · 07-29-2005, 02:20 PM

^^ What He Said...

camnipotent · 07-29-2005, 02:28 PM

Yeah....I don't think it will be possible to overfill it, but make sure you don't. If you do, it can foam up plus the extra pressure on the tranny can destroy it.

Furious · 07-29-2005, 08:47 PM

naw you cant overfill, its pretty much fool proof (sorry if someone DID overfill LOL)

BMW-ATI · 07-30-2005, 12:56 AM

Ill do that, i guess any size wrench will work, do I need to really torque the nut though?

camnipotent · 07-30-2005, 02:30 AM

You should be able to tell when it is on tight. Some manuals may contain torque numbers for certain bolts and nuts, but I don't know if this one is covered.