5HP30 owners, tranny whine solved...

[new540iowner]

I bought a tranny filter kit from BMA about four months ago that came with a
non-Filtran filter along with the pan gasket for about $20. I filled it up with
Redline D4 ATF and noticed a whine under load in first and second gears. Since I do a lot of highway driving, I wasn't in a big hurry to diagnose it. Well, this weekend, I drained the fluid and installed an OEM "Filtran" filter from the stealer along with 7.5 quarts of Pennzoil Multi-Vehicle ATF that Kragen is now selling for $3 per quart. Car now no longer has any whine sounds in any gear and everything is great. One thing I noticed about the filter kit I bought from the stealer this weekend was the O-ring. I compared the O-ring from the BMA kit to the stealer kit and noticed the OEM O-ring is slightly thicker than the kit supplied by BMA. I'm now wondering if a generic 5HP30 filter along with an OEM O-ring would work.

[Tiger]

How long have you been running the Redline D4 ATF? How come you didn't go for the OEM fluid aside from the $$$?

[NoSpeedLimits]

Very interesting...I, too, recently experienced the same problem. Purchased filter kit from BMA and paid the stealer 200 bucks to change filter and fluid. Got it back and the car had a new whine...took it back to stealer and they couldn't figure it out. I have been stumped trying to figure out where the noise was coming from ever since. I have always speculated that it was from the trans, but it has been hard to tell because I can only hear it when driving. Stealer even put it up on lift and could hear it...they blamed it on the speed-o cable. I am not surprised. Unfortunately, I don't have a leg to stand on since I supplied the parts. So it appears I'll have to go back to them with my tail between my legs. :(

Aside from that, I too, am surprised to see that you have been using alternate fluid. I wanted to use an alternate fluid, but almost everyone recommended the OEM lifetime fluid. After seeing how much of a PITA it was to change the fluid and that it was not easy to fully drain all of the trans fluid (you know, don't want to mix orig. w/ something different), I figured it was better to suck it up and pay the few extra bucks. Sooooo, how did you do the fluid change? Yourself? OR do you have a lift? Also, where can I get one of those gravity fed fluid transfer tanks (it's the thingy the stealer used to change my fluid) ??? ('94 540IA)

[Tiger]

BTW, All those who used other fluids please respond... Let us know how long you have been using other fluids... for 5HP30 tranny only please... Also how you drain all fluids.

[new540iowner]

before I switched to the Pennzoil Multi-Vehicle ATF. I guess I could have used the Redline that drained out again but I wanted to get more of the dirty fluid out through dilution by using the new Pennzoil. FYI, the Pennzoil Multi-Vehicle ATF is co-developed with Shell and Quaker State and, according to the Pennzoil engineers, is compatible with the Esso and Shell OEM fluids. As far as how to fill it, I use an oil funnel hose clamped onto a
clear piece of tubing from Home Depot with a bathtub rubber drain fitting on the other end. The rubber drain fitting fits over the hose and I fill the trans with the funnel about five feet above the trans (standing on a chair of course). I drained 7.5 quarts of D4 ATF with the pan off and put the same amount in via the funnel. Start the car up and stepshift (manual-winter program) to 2nd and 3rd gears, pull the drain fitting and put the original 17mm plug back on. As far as cost goes, the Redline D4 ATF was aboput $8 per quart while the Pennzoil ATF is $3 at Kragen.

[632 Regal]

I dont know guys... from all that I read on these transmissions and the special fluids required, I wouldnt even think about using anything but the specified fluids. I read that if you use other stuff it will in some cases de-laminate the friction disks material which is not something that you want to do. Sometimes they claim it will work for up to a year before serious problems rear their ugly head. I dont have any of the links here at work but there is a ton of information about this fluid subject and NO WHERE did I read that it was ok to substitute the recommended fluids.

The whine is most likly caused from the thinner O ring sucking in air and getting into the pump.

just my 2¢

[Elekta]

my tranny filter fluids r&r was $76 plus fluid done at my indy. I did it last year, and my indy told me that my valve body bolt was about two turns from falling out. He torqued it back in and only on rare occaisons do I get the 4-5th going uphill around 48mph skip where it goes into 5th and skips back into 4th. Whenever it does this I am sure to accelerate in such a way that it won't do it again.

I'm thinking of changing the fluid again just to have him look at the valve body.

Will Kurt sell a rebuilt valve body, and then accept the old one back afterwards? Is this a good idea from a preventative maintenance perspective?

[NoSpeedLimits]

I agree...For what it's worth, Shell's engineers indicated to me that they do not know of an equivalent to their Shell LA 2634 fluid. But, I didn't really expect them to tell me otherwise.

And, thank you "guest" for the DYI filling the trans info. Most of the items will be easily attained, but I'll need to look for one of those bathtub rubber drain fittings -- not exactly sure what you are referring too, so any more details you could offer would be appreciated.

[Tiger]

Yes, Kirt offers that at $500... whereas if you send for rebuild is $375 with filter kit.

[632 Regal]

but according to Kurt only the 5hp-30s (540i) had the questionable valving, balls and seperator plates, he said that the 5hp-18 (530i) didn't have any valve body problems. Thats what I got out of the conversation and don't know of an upgrade for us 530i folks. If there is please let me know, I'm just going from what I read and talked to him about. The 530s simply take dextron III synthetic fluid wheras the 540 folks get the real pricy stuff.

[Elekta]

but according to Kurt only the 5hp-30s (540i) had the questionable valving, balls and seperator plates, he said that the 5hp-18 (530i) didn't have any valve body problems. Thats what I got out of the conversation and don't know of an upgrade for us 530i folks. If there is please let me know, I'm just going from what I read and talked to him about. The 530s simply take dextron III synthetic fluid wheras the 540 folks get the real pricy stuff.

I think I'm just going to keep changing the fluid every year. My indy's pretty competant, and I just like knowing that someone's eyeballing the inside. I figure two changes should just about replace all of the original fluid.

I know it had never been done when I bought it at 58K.

[Tiger]

What fluid did Indy use? How long have you driven on these fluids (mileage/time)?

[new540iowner]

has a metal attachment in the center to facilitate draining a full tub. I bought it at Home Depot for about $2 and should be available at any store having plumbing products. You basically bore out the center of the rubber stopper and insert the tubing in its place.

[NoSpeedLimits]

Ohhhhh...a drain PLUG...okay, I get it now. Sometimes I just like to make things more complicated then they need to be. Originally, I was thinking along the lines of a ball valve type thingy that would allow you to control the flow of the fluid. I figured you would hang the funnel off of the rafters or whatever you can tie it off too and then fill up the funnel and line, get down and open the valve. I suppose it is just another idea to consider... Thanks for your help.

[AA540]

Good luck is all I can say. I have a 95 540i with a 5HP30 as well, and from everyone I spoke with BMW/Shell OEM tranny fluid is the way to go. It might seem expsensive but you are driving a car that was $50k plus at point, saving $200 on fluid is a penny wise pound foolish. I asked Kirt Koeller about tranny fluids last year when I bought my valve body repair kit, basically he said that the non Shell fluid eat away at the internals of the tranny (I think he said some type of glue breaks down). So you might be happy now that you saved $150 or so in fluid, remember that a replacement tranny is about $3k.

It is your car and if you are happy with your decision then so be it. I would just hate it if other people get the idea of replacing the fluid with out knowing the ramifications of their actions.

Give us an update after a year or so.


AA
95 540iA -5Hp30 - updated valve body, Shell fluid.

[Tiger]

Do anyone speak German? Interesting document that seems to support that Pennzoil Multi-Vehicle compatibility.

http://www.kendall.ch/de/qs/32026multivehicleatf.pdf

[Tiger]

Wow... look at the third page...

[Tiger]

Oops... I meant second page... look at BMW... and far right...

[Elekta]

What fluid did Indy use? How long have you driven on these fluids (mileage/time)?

about 18k miles.

I have no idea about which fluid. all I know is they are real finicky about how they determine how full it is. They use a thermometer and other tricks to make sure it's full.

I'm getting new brakes tomorrow so I'll ask my guy when I see him.

[Tiger]

Check out the link I posted below... it pretty much said Quaker State Multi Vehicle can replace Shell LA2634... why? Well Shell owns Quaker State/Pennzoil... and they probably derived it from Shell LA2634 and made it full synthetic.

[new540iowner]

The Redline D4 ATF has been in the since October 2003 and actually removed the slippage I was experiencing between first and second gear. The
shifts are now very smooth and the car is working great. I came across that German pdf file Tiger posted before along with other people indicating it was compatible. If someone wants to pay more for something, that's fine its just if the material (not brand) is the same or better why pay more? I just went to Sam's Club last night and picked up a 156 piece mechanics toolset with Chromium-Vanadium polished sockets and 5 degree ratchets for $60 while other places sell the same kind of set with a name brand for hundreds more. Anyways, I'll keep everyone posted on a monthly basis letting them know how the tranny is behaving but if its anything like the last four months, everything should be kosher.

[MBXB]

Tranny Tech buddy in Germany looked at the paper and says it IS compatible.

[Tiger]

That is what I thought... Now only if I could figure out a way to sell those $3 fluids for $18... hehehehe... Thanks for your help... now I will use Quaker State.

[Tiger]

Official Redline comment

In your automatic transmission I would recommend the Red Line D4ATF, it is completely compatible with the Shell LA2634 fluid and will mix without a problem. The D4ATF is similar both in viscosity and overall characteristics.

Regards, Dave
Red Line Oil

[NoSpeedLimits]

Do you know what's the recommended service interval for the Red Line D4ATF?

[Tiger]

Don't know but I would change it every 3 years. By the time you get to three years... most tranny will start to act funny... that is regular stuff and this is synthetic. I will be converting mine to Quaker State Multi Vehicle synthetic fluid. Cheaper and still full synthetic. The key is the filter longevity... how much sediment it can trap.

I got original Nikasil engine too.