lazy cold shifting - e36

[Eraj]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and new to bimmers. I just bought a 94 BMW 320i auto. Just noticed that the car does not like to change up initially for the first few minutes after starting in the morning, and likes to stay in 2nd gear all the way upto around 2500 rpm. If I warm up the car for a couple of minutes before driving off, it changes just as normal. Could this be due to low tranny oil? (Yes, there is an oil leak, yet un-diagnosed!!) Please help guys!!!! Thanks.

[greennvmachine]

hey, i have a 92' 325is it does the same thing in the morning, i think it is so it can warm up faster by maintaining rpm's. By the way i got my car a couple a mo ago and i have an oil laekas well, where does yours drip from?

[Eraj]

My leak just starts from under the radiator cover, at the bottom and extend all the way to the back of the tranny area, I think it's only a small leak, but it kind of splashes/spreads to the back at highway speeds. I'm taking my car in to the shop this week for a look a the tranny and oil change. Will let you know once this happens. I sure it's engine oil and not tranny oil!

[greennvmachine]

i swear mine has the same exact leak. I even got underneath and cleaned off the gunk, but couldnt see anything. i think its the oil pan itself

[Eraj]

You could be right....I'm going to try to clean up the mess and probably try the dye thingy before going to the shop. very difficult to say whether it's engine oil, tranny oil or power steering fluid as it's dirty and black. How long does it take before your bimmer warms up and goes into the smooth shifting rythm? Mine takes about 2 minutes or 1.5 km.

[greennvmachine]

mine takes about the same depending on how i drive, but when my car is warm it shifts a lot earlier in the rpm's. On the freeway it warms up fast

[Kevin325i]

When the sensors read that the car is cold, it will hold gears for longer while crusing so it warms up faster.

My car also leaks from the rear of the oil pan. I think it's cause I changed to synthetic DOH! Only happens when it sits for awhile though, because when it's running the oil doesn't completely fill the pan.

Kevin

[camnipotent]

My dad had the same problem with his Q45. Getting your tranny checked is a good idea. It worked for him. It may be the transmission fluid too.

[Eraj]

I guess it's just the car doing it's thing to warm up, but as you said it's a good idea to check the tranny, just in case. Better be sure with $150 than sorry with about $ 2500!!! Thanks for your responses guys....will keep you posted after the visit to the shop.

[Eraj]

Hey guys,

I did take my car to the shop and got a thorough inspection done. Accordong to the service guy, there was a leak from one of the tranny lines?? he cleaned all the gunk off, and I noticed this was old and almost dried oil+dirt. Whoever who fixed it did not clean off the oil!! Anyways, the tranny fluid level was good, and he says holding gears when cold is just normal. So there you go.

Thanks for your help guys...have fun

[VarakaCreamCraka]

in the manual it says to drive off asap when u start the car and not let it idel to warm up.

[Eraj]

yeah! it sure says that. The guy I went to is pretty experienced on bimmers, and all the other bimmer owners seem to agree that the cars do it. BTW, the manual says warm it up for 30 seconds in very cold weather and drive slow until car warms up to operating temperature! (It also says do not exceed the posted spped limit guys!!!!!!)

Thanks

Eraj

[007ben]

it also says to get the car out and let it "breathe" too