how do I check auto fluid level E36 ?

[mp186]

Hi there,new to this ,so dont know what to expect!
could any one tell me how to check/top up auto gear box oil in a R reg 325 tds.I can not find a dip stick in the engine bay,so guess there must be a different way to check it. And is it normal tqf auto fluid.
Thanks in advance. MP

[avidco]

There is no way to fill. These are sealed units. You can add by removing a plug on the side and pumping fluid in, but these trannys should run forever. They are filled with very expensive Mobil 1 fluid. Mine has over 170K on it, and still works great.

[saltshaker185]

theres a drain and fill plug on the side of the tranny... bmw claims its lifetime but its ussually only good till about 100k miles.... you basicly have to open the fill bolt and stick your finger in to test the level in the tranny :\

[hunter325i]

i had the same question a few months back and i was told that there was no where to fill it, but to my dismay, as i was changing out my alternator, i found a little capped reservoir and when i wiped the dirt and grim off it, the little bugger said AUTO FLUID ONLY! so then i started thinking...hhhmmmm theres no where to fill? thats weird, so i opened it up and there BY GOD was a dip stick!! MY GOODNESS! then i looked at the little stick and i was low....

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

^ do you mean the Power steering Pump???

[saltshaker185]

Originally Posted by hunter325i

i had the same question a few months back and i was told that there was no where to fill it, but to my dismay, as i was changing out my alternator, i found a little capped reservoir and when i wiped the dirt and grim off it, the little bugger said AUTO FLUID ONLY! so then i started thinking...hhhmmmm theres no where to fill? thats weird, so i opened it up and there BY GOD was a dip stick!! MY GOODNESS! then i looked at the little stick and i was low....

heh hate to break it to you but you found your power steering reservoir. The steering racks in our cars get very hot so regular power steering fluid boils very easily, so we use auto tranny fluid in it which has a higher boiling point.. so you basicly topped off your powersteering fluid... your tranny should have a drain and fill plug on the side of it... (cant say for sure as ive never worked on a bmw with an auto tranny) but i cant imagine how they would add fluid to the tranny if they need to service it?? jack her up and check it out... once your under there it makes a bit more sense...

[bimmerguy82]

i did mine a few months ago, the drain plug is on the rear passengers side of the tranny if i recall, and the fill plug is in the rear or driver side.