I've just been quoted £300 (parts, labour & VAT) to have my TD6 gearbox oil changed at my local independent (since I'm near to 70,000 miles I thought that it would be a good idea) - but that sounds expensive !

The sticky on the subject in this section appears to change 5 out of 12 or 14 litres (and I'm posting here to avoid messing up the sticky with silly questions) - so does anyone know if it is easy for an auto transmission expert to "power flush" the oil in order to replace all of it ?

I'd guess your "specialist" is trying to either put you off because he doesn't want to do it. Or make a quick buck out of you!

I'd seriously suggest you ring around some gearbox specialists for comparative quotes at least. 

I've just had a long chat with a local auto box specialist who have rebuilt many 5L40-E gearboxes:
- They can change the oil (although only 5L out of 12L) for £125 and run diagnostics, however, their advice was not to change the oil at higher mileages since it often flushes through cr*p from elsewhere in the system and results in (even more) premature failures of the gearbox
- A complete rebuild including modifications to valve bodies was £1900 + VAT

Sigh

Nene Overland,
£115+vat
I hope they knew what were doing. 15MY SDV8 Vogue SE

So he actually suggests just leaving the oil in there - forever?

I have heard this theory of "don't change the gearbox oil because it can disturb gunk"

1. Oil does not last forever
2. Oil shouldn't be left to get to the stage where it has degraded so badly
3. Unless you don't have an oil filter then this wouldn't cause a problem

Thankfully I hear it less and less now because it's accepted that it's a bullsh1t theory!

The GM and ZF box both have a bit of a rep' for going pop at high mileage. But neither are ever serviced, regardless of mileage. So it stands to reason that servicing them will prolong their life - generally the same can be said for ANY mechanical component.

Changing the oil does only get a few L, but that's why it's important to do it regularly - or at least at the manufacturers specified intervals.

If you read the BMW boards, and some of the independent BMW Technical articles they suggest that the GM box if serviced every 40K will easily last 300,000 miles without the need for any work.

Clean Oil = Less Wear. 

VaguelyVogue wrote:

They can change the oil (although only 5L out of 12L)

Also, the GM box takes just over 9L of fluid, so if you can get 5L out and back in then you are changing over 50% of the fluid.

If he thinks it should have 12L in then I wouldnt want to buy a recon box from him!?

Infact, give me his number, I want to berate him.  

Good mood today then Dan

Sorry. Not enough noobs for me to take my anger out on lately.

Guna head on over to RR.NET. 

Calm down mate its only a forum....

To be fair to the specialist, I used the 12/14L figure from the sticky - so my mistake.

He did however stress that it was virtually impossible to flush all the oil out of the gearbox - multiple oil changes are the only way to get near. If I was being uncharitable, then I would ponder if he was doing himself out of £125 to get a £2.3k job later on.

So, on balance, I will drain the gearbox and refill myself in the next few weeks - thanks for the advice.

VaguelyVogue wrote:

So, on balance, I will drain the gearbox and refill myself in the next few weeks - thanks for the advice.

Good plan. If you intend on doing more than one change in the near future I've heard that there are massive price breaks when you buy the fluid by the 25L drum rather than by the 1l.  

Perhaps where there are a couple of FFRR members near to each other they should bulk buy the auto trans fluid to save themselves many spondoolies  

Click image to enlarge

What sort or mileage should you change it at? I can't find any receipts to say it has been done on mine previously which is full service history. I am currently at 88k and I am looking at getting it done from a local specialist

At present mine seems as it should, but I don't want to create problems by either doing or not doing it. Reformed

GM box 50-60
BMW Box 60-75 

VaguelyVogue wrote:

He did however stress that it was virtually impossible to flush all the oil out of the gearbox - multiple oil changes are the only way to get near.

Actually, no. And 'flush' is the key word. Much too tired this eve to go on the web and start searching, but there are people who actually flush the gearbox vs. draining the ATF and refilling. That really only gets a portion. To flush, you need a machine; the lines to the cooler are disconnected and as the fluid comes out, it's replaced by fresh fluid. You can replace nearly 100% of the fluid by flushing. Which still doesn't mean you'll get 100% of the crap... 
RRC 2Dr, RRC 4Dr,
P38, and 2 L322s
(wife thinks I'm nuts - prob right, too)