e34 540I Auto Gearbox Service & Repair

[bolteyes82]

Hi im having trouble finding draining & re-filling information for the gearbox oil on my e34 540I gearbox, i cant find any instructions or technical data i need to change the oil pan gasket and an o-ring on the linkage but need to know...

A) What oil its takes (Nomral red ATF?)?
B) How to drain it and then fill it?
C) How much its meant to hold?

Can anyone help??? thanks

[bolteyes82]

forgot to say its a ZF its not Getrag thanks

[e34lvr23]

The fill plug is right dead center in the pan and the drain plug is off to the side on the pan and very obvious! there large allen hed plugs! the fluid is the very expensive shell la2634 if black tag or esso if green tag! i've heard of alot of guys using the shell mvatf fluid but am not sure of the reliability! i beleive it holds almost 8 liters of fluid! make sure you use the oem filter O ring you'll definetly have a whine if you don't and your A and C clutch pressure will be to low and could cause them to slip! you'll need to fill the fluid untill it spills out of the fill hole and then start the car turn the A/C on....run it threw the gears then pull the plug again and fill it some more!....this is what i know from most of the tech. sheets!

here is the link to the ZF 5HP30 tech sheet from them!
http://www.europeantransmissions.com...MW/a5s560z.pdf

i hope this helps! be aware ZF and bmw did not make this easy! (it's a VERY messy job!!!)

[marti5]

Hi, these are my instructions for an E38 and wont be that dissimilar to a e34.

To change auto gearbox Fluid and filter on an E38 you will need:

1) a torx T20 socket for the pan screws and filter screws (male)

2) a H8 Hex socket for the drain and fill plug (male)

3) a minimum 10ltrs TITAN ATF 4000

4) a new filter ( BMW )

5) new pan gasket ( BMW )

6) a garden sprayer ( to refill, works brill )

7) a suitable container for draining fluid and rags.



How to:

> car up minimum 400mm

> Start up.. 10mins turn off

> remove bottom plug and drain fluid / BEWARE HOT FLUID BURNS !! / safety goggles required

> replace pan plug

> remove all pan screws / clips that hold wires to the pan/ be careful there will be fluid still in the pan!!

> remove the 2 filter screws / there will be fluid left in the filter !!

> clean out pan and the four magnets/ lint free cloth / degreaser or brake cleaner

> clean surfaces for gasket

> screw in new filter / make sure its in flat and take care to get the 'O' ring in correct

> replace the four magnets

> place gasket on pan with a little fluid / replace pan

> Undo fill plug / drivers side rear

> start filling until fluid dribbles out / replace plug finger tight

> start car... go through all gear selections slowly 3 times keeping foot on brake / then in 'P' turn off after 10 mins

> undo filler plug fill some more until dribble comes out / plug back in finger tight

> Start car put in 'N' ....now be careful not to burn yourself!! whilst car running (Air-con on full blast) undo filler plug put more fluid in until it dribbles out again, put filler plug in and tighten.

> All done car down, fluid to a designated place!!

> Time for a cup of tea / can of beer or a ciggy

Note: the entire box takes 10 ltrs, but you will not require this as the torque converter will still be half full and also the valve control body also contains more, I would say that a 7.5 ltr can will be enough, but please don't quote me!!