This is an in depth description by our esteemed tech advisor Christopher Koch, of how to service the so-called "maintenance free" e38 automatic transmissions. Step-by-step procedure make the job do-able even if you've never done it before. A must-have, because if not done, the chances are very high that your transmission will fail at about 100K miles.


Servicing The BMW e38 Automatic Transmission

It is critical that your E38 transmission be serviced every 60,000 - 65,000

miles. We have heard far too many painful cries of E38 owner after owner

who have had transmission failure by 70,000 - 80,000 miles. Dealers charge

over $5,100 plus tax for replacements.




There are two automatic transmissions used in the E38 series. The 1998

750iL uses only the ZF EH560Z (5HP30) which has a pan that has a

side-mounted pan drain plug, 23 attachment bolts and uses oil filter p/n

24-34-1-422-419 and o-ring p/n 24-34-1-422-152 (it also has a filler plug at

the center of the pan bottom). The 740iL used two transmissions, the just

mentioned EH560Z and another lighter-duty model (as of 01/97 production),

the ZF EH440Z (5HP24), which has a bottom-mounted drain plug and 22

attachment bolts. The EH440Z uses filter p/n 24-34-1-422-673 and the same

o-ring. The drain plug is usually a 5mm Allen head. The filters are

usually held in place with Torx T-27 bolts. I don't usually change the pan

gaskets on ZF automatics, just clean and reuse.




Change the filter. Drain the transmission oil cooler.




Most E38 owners who subscribe to this Digest have now serviced their

transmissions. Many have done the job themselves because their Dealers have

said "no, we don't do them, they are sealed for life". The job is made

difficult because there is no dipstick on most models. You must use the

special factory-specified synthetic fluid on the larger 5HP30 automatic,

semi-synthetic Shell LA 2634 (p/n 83-22-9-407-765) on 08/92 thru 04/94

production and synthetic Esso ATF LT 71141 (p/n 83-22-9-407-807) from 07/94

production thru 02/02 production end and just from Esso (ATF LT 71141) on

the smaller 5HP24 automatic. You have to pump in the fluid into the bottom

filler plug, the same amount that was drained out.




The 5HP30 holds 5.5 liters alone and 13.1 liters including the torque

converter. The 5HP24 holds 5.35 liters alone and 9.0 liters including the

torque converter. As you can see, the torque converter holds a lot of fluid

that you can't drain out, so like the E32's automatics, you need to change

the fluid several times to get most of the old fluid out. I would recommend

that you first change the fluid at the 60,000 - 65,000 mile point, then

change the fluid annually the next two years, then around 120,000 miles

again with a new filter, and so forth.




Checking the fluid level on the 5HP30 is more difficult than checking the

typical automatic transmission using a dipstick. At the center of the pan,

there is a filler plug (note that I didn't say "drain plug", which is on the

side of the pan). Inside the pan, surrounding the filler plug, is a tube

that is open at the top. This determines the fluid level. If the fluid is

too high, it spills over the top of the tube, out the filler plug hole and

onto your hand and arm. If the fluid level is low, you need to add fluid

through the filler plug hole until it dribbles out on your hand and arm.

Perhaps you now understand why, when you first remove the filler plug, some

fluid dribbles out - the contents of the tube which overflowed during that

hard run you made last month on the thruway entrance ramp.




Obviously, you need a fluid pump with flexible plastic tubing that will fit

inside the filler plug hole a few inches so it goes over the side of the

level tube and fills the inside of the pan with fluid. I use an inexpensive

one manufactured by CRC Industries of Warminster, PA (1-800-272-8963) called

the Sta-Lube #SL4344. It has clear plastic tubes allowing you to see fluid

going through. I purchased it from one of the national chain discount

stores or auto parts stores.




Before checking the fluid level on the 5HP30, remove the filler plug at the

bottom of the pan. Add specified fluid until it drips out of the filler

plug hole. To perform the final fluid level check on the 5HP30, the car

must be level, engine running with either the low beams or a/c on and the

transmission fluid between 20 and 30 degrees C. With foot firmly on brake

pedal, row through all the gears several times, stopping briefly at each,

then place the gear into park leaving the engine running. Remove the filler

plug at the bottom of the pan (some fluid always drips out briefly, this is

ok). Add the specified transmission fluid until it runs out of the filler

plug hole, tighten plug to 100N-m and then turn off engine. The

transmission holds 0.6 liter less when the temperature has risen to 50

degrees C.




If at any time during this fluid level check you hear a strong sucking

sound, you must stop the check and wait at least 15 minutes for the foamed

fluid to settle out. Add some fluid before performing the final fluid level

check again.




I'm sure many E38 owners can point you to the Digest issues that had even

more comprehensive instructions.




I trust that ZF has rectified this problem by making the new six-speed

serviceable?






Yours,

Chris Koch

Buffalo, NY

 

Sounds slightly familiar

 

Was ZF recommending a lifetime fluid? Who was the brainchild of the idea "lifetime fluid?"

Rover and others use this transmission, too, not just us.

 

Jaguar used the same tranny also

 

brother or BIL who has a Rover with the same transmission and had the fluid done every 50k and it is perfect.

 

I think it was a Zf but not a 5Hp24a.. AFAIK only ones to use 5HP24 or A were Jag,Audi,and BMW

 

My '89 Range Rover has been trouble-free for 250k miles with 50k ATF changes, but it has a ZF 4HP22.

 

went with this no DIPSTICK checkable, non-refillable from the top, and very hard to reach drain plug, etc TRANNY TYPE? Perhaps ZF should be class actioned by Audi, Jag, Rover, BMW, ya right!

 

the same tranny and engine. I have had a bunch or bimmers. They all require a lot of maintenance. I love the Audi despite only driving it the least. Feels great. AWD handles hydroplaning pretty well. 540 good in the dry not in the wet. 540 bad road feel due to the lack of rack and pinion. I like the A8 better. Anyone want to buy a montreal blue/ tan 540 6 speed?

 

Rover does not and never has belonged to Ford!