View Full Version : 95 540i tranny problem?


Contech
11-03-2007, 08:32 PM
Update: on Tranny problem

I took the 540i to the shop. They said the fluid was gray and the transmissions has never been serviced, that is whats causing the pump to whine. So they changed the fluid and filter. They said it test drove fine and its ready to go. I paid $300 for the service. I drive back to my house and when I was half a mile away it started to whine again really bad. I get back to my house and the tranny is leaking fluid. It never leaked before. So I call the shop and they tow it back back. The guy calls me today and says that he thinks the water cooled tranny cooler is leaking fluid into the tranny. Causing the whinning on the pump, plus made the fluid become milkshaky and cause it to pour out of the tranny breather. I was like ok, this ****ing sucks. Then he says this, " When we changed the fluid yesterday we saw that there was water in the tranny fluid." I was like wait what? You never mentioned water in the tranny fluid when doing the service. You said the fluid was changed and I was ready to go. I would have taken a different approach if you told me that yesterday. He said its possible its not leaking into the tranny. But they need to let it sit over night and then open the drain plug slowly to see if water comes out first. Anyone ever heard of this? What should I do? Should I throw a fit since they didn't tell me about the water in the fluid after doing the fluid change?

Contech
11-03-2007, 09:52 PM
The whinning doesn't start when the car has cooled down for a few hours. I took it for a drive around the block and the whinning didn't start untill I was half mile away. The tranny didn't clunk at all though. Don't know if it is the tranny at all then.? :help

xatlas0
11-03-2007, 11:20 PM
When in doubt, change the fluid.

ctrlaltdl
11-04-2007, 02:25 AM
Sounds like the fluid is low or the filter is plugged up.

Contech
11-08-2007, 07:31 PM
Updated on tranny problem

lowell
11-08-2007, 07:40 PM
So, are you losing coolant, or is there any brownish looking oil floating in the coolant expansion tank?

The 5hp-30 isn't supposed to be serviced, so says BMW. It's filled with lifetime fluid. Smart people change it every 70k or so. If the trans is original, it is highly advisable that any fluid changes be done with the OEM fluid (NOT generic dexron). The OEM fluid is made by Shell and it alone costs around $300, it is very expensive. It's also important to install the OEM (Filtran) filter kit. The offbrand stuff is said to have a poor time sealing against the pump pickup. A misstep on either of the previous two points would result in noise. Who is doing the work?

Contech
11-09-2007, 02:19 PM
Baravian Motors in Phoenix Arizona

xatlas0
11-09-2007, 02:32 PM
On the plus side of things, you are a stone's throw away from a transmission rebuilder. (Phoenix Transmissions)