check transmission fluid BMW M3 1992 E36 User Guide

170-
4



RADIATOR
AND
COOLING
SYSTEM
A
quick
testat
the
coolant
temperature
gauge
sender
can



The
auxiliary
cooling
fan
comes
on
when
coolant
tempera

determine
if
the
gauge
is
functioning
correctly
.



ture
exceeds
a
predetermined
leve¡
or
whenever
the
air
condi-

tioning
is
on
.
A
dual-range
temperature
switch
for
cooling
fan
lf
the
gauge
needie
remains
at
the
rest
position
with
theen-



control
is
mounted
on
the
right
side
of
the
radiator
.
See
Fig
.
3
.
gine
warm,
remove
the
harness
connector
from
the
sender
and
jumper
the
correct
terminals
in
the
connector
to
simulate
a
high
engine
temperature
.
See
Table
a
.
Turn
the
ignition
on
.

If
the
gauge
needle
moves
upward,
the
sender
is
faulty
.
If
the

gauge
does
not
respond,
the
wiring
to
the
gauge
is
broken
(open
circuit)
or
the
gauge
itselfis
faulty
.

WARNING
-

1996
and
laten
models
are
OBD
11
compliant
.
Dis-
connecting
electrical
connectors
wíth
the
ignition
turned
on
may
set
fault
codes
in
the
ECM
.
It
is
rec-
ommended
that
you
leave
the
diagnosis
of
faults
in
the
coolant
temperature
sensorsystem
to
the
BMW
dealer
service
department
which
has
specialized
OBD
11
scan
tool
equipment
.

If
the
gauge
needle
reads
too
high
when
the
engine
is
cold,
remove
the
harness
connector
from
the
sender
.
Turn
the
igni-

tion
on
.
lf
the
gauge
needle
position
does
not
change,
the
wir-

ing
or
the
gauge
is
shorted
to
ground
.
If
the
gauge
needle

drops,
the
sender
is
faulty
and
should
be
replaced
.
When
re-

placing
a
faulty
coolant
temperature
sender,
the
gasket
ring
on
the
sender
should
also
be
replaced
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Temperature
gauge
sender
to
engine
18
Nm
(13
ft-Ib)

Cooling
fan,
testing

NOTE-

OnM44
engines
with
manual
transmission,
the
primary
electric
cooling
fan
is
mounted
on
the
engine
side
of
the
radiator
and
is
controlled
by
the
engine
control
module
(ECM)
.
Troubleshooting
thiscircuit
should
be
left
to
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
with
the
proper
diagnostic
equipment

An
otherwise
sound
cooling
system
may
still
overheat,
par-
ticularly
with
prolonged
idling,
due
to
a
failure
of
the
coolíng

fan(s)
.

The
belt-driven
cooling
fan
is
controlled
by
a
temperature
dependent
viscous
clutch
.
A
failed
fan
clutch
may
affect
air
flow
through
the
radiator
resulting
in
overheating
orpossibly
overcooling
.
Speed

Low
sp
High
s

With
the
engine
off,
check
thefan
clutch
by
spinning
thefan
.



eed
The
fan
should
spin
on
the
clutch
with
some
resistance
.



peed
Check
for
signs
of
leaking
fluid
from
the
clutch
.
If
thefan
free-
wheels
with
no
resistance,
cannot
be
tu
rned
by
hand,
or
there
are
signs
of
oil
leakage,
the
clutch
should
be
replaced
.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Fig
.
3
.



Radiatorcooling
fan
temperature
switch
(arrow)
.

WARNING
-

"
Use
caution
when
testing
the
electric
cooling
fan(s)
and
coolant
temperature
switch
.
Keep
hands
and
wires
clear
of
thefan
blades
.
The
cool-
ing
fan(s)
can
run
any
time
the
ignition
is
ON
.

"
For
greatest
safety,
coolíng
fan
and
coolant
tem-perature
switch
tests
shouldbe
performed
on
acoldengine
with
the
air
conditioning
off
.

Table
b
.
Auxiliary
Cooling
Fan
Switching

Temperatures

Switching
temperature
196°F(91°C)
210°F(99°C)

0012506

If
a
faulty
thermostat,
trapped
air,
or
a
restriction
in
the
sys-
tem
is
not
allowing
the
coolant
to
circulate
through
the
radia-
tor,
the
temperature
switch
will
not
close
and
the
auxiliary
cooling
fan
will
not
run
.
Before
making
the
tests
described
be-
low,
make
sure
the
thermostat
is
operating
correctly
as
de-
scribed
earlier
.
The
normal
switching
temperatures
for
the

dual
-speed
switch
are
listed
in
Table
b
.

Fig
.
19
.
Coolant
pump
being
removed
.
Thread
two
M6
bolts
(arrows)
in
evenly
to
withdraw
pump
.
(Thermostat
and
hoseshavebeen
removed
tor
visual
access
.)

8
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

"
Be
sure
to
replace
O-ring
and
gaskets
.

"
Coat
O-ring
with
lubricant
during
installation
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Coolant
pump
to
timing
chaincover

M6
...
.
...................
..
.
.
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

M8
.
..
.
....................
.
.
.
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)

"
Coolant
pump
pulley

to
coolant
pump
.................
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

RADIATOR
SERVICE

Radiator,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Drain
radiator
as
described
earlier
.

WARNING
-

Allow
cooling
system
to
cool
before
opening
ordraining
system
.

2
.
Remove
primary
cooling
fan
(belt-driven
or
electric)
as

described
earlier
.

3
.
Disconnect
coolingfan
and
leve¡
sensor
harness
con-

nectors
from
bottom
of
radiator,
where
applicable

4
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
from
auxiliary
fandual

temperature
switch
.
See
Fig
.
20
.

5
.
Disconnect
all
coolant
hoses
from
radiator
.

RADIATOR
AND
COOLING
SYSTEM



170-11

0012500

Fig
.
20
.
Cooling
fan
dual
temperatura
switch
(arrow)
on
right
sido
of
radiator
.

6
.
Where
applicable,
disconnectautomatic
transmission
fluid
(ATF)
cooler
lines
from
radiator
.
See
Fig
.
21
.

Fig
.
21
.
Automatic
transmission
fluid
(ATF)
linos
at
radiator
.

7
.
Carefully
pryout
radiator
retaining
clips
from
top
of
ra-

diator
.
See
Fig
.
22
.

8
.
Pul¡
radiator
up
and
out
of
car
.

NOTE-

The
radiator
rests
ontwo
rubber
mounts
.
Check
that

the
mounts
do
not
stick
to
the
bottomof
the
radiator
.

RADIATOR
SERVICE

210-2
CLUTCH

Clutch
hydraulic
system,

bleeding
and
flushing

If
the
clutch/brake
fluid
is
murky
or
muddy,
or
has
not
been

changed
within
the
last
two
years,
the
system
should
be

flushed
.
Flushing
the
old
fluid
from
the
clutch
lines
is
done
us-

ing
a
brake
system
pressure
bleeder
.

1
.
Remove
brake
fluíd
reservoir
cap
.
Usinga
clean
sy-

ringe,
remove
brake
fluid
from
reservoir
.
Refill
reservoir

with
clean
fluid
.

2
.
Attach
pressure
brake
bleeder
to
fluid
reservoír
.

CA
UTION-

Do
not
exceed
2
bar
(29
psi)
pressure
at
the
fluid
reservoir
when
bleeding
or
flushing
the
hydraulic
system
.

3
.
Connect
a
length
of
hose
from
clutch
slave
cylinder

bleeder
valve
lo
a
container
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

0012003
Fig
.
2
.



Clutch
slave
cylinder
bleeder
valve
on
left
side
of
transmission
(arrow)
.

4
.
Open
bleeder
valve
and
allow
brake
fluid
to
expel
until
clean
fluid
comes
out
free
of
air
bubbles
.

5
.
Close
bleeder
valve
and
disconnect
pressure
bleeding
equipment
from
fluid
reservoir
.
Hose
on
bleeder
valve
remainsconnected
.

6
.
Slowly
operate
clutch
pedal
about10
times
.
Fill
reser-
voir
with
clean
fluid
asnecessary
.

7
.
Unbolt
slavecylinder
from
transmission
.

8
.
Position
slave
cylinder
so
that
bleeder
valve
is
facing
up
(highest
point)
.

CLUTCH
HYDRAULICS

9
.
Open
bleeder
valve
and
slowly
push
slave
cylinder

pushrod
al¡
the
way
in
.
Close
bleeder
valve
and
slowly

release
pushrod
.
Repeat
procedure
until
fluid
runs
out

clear
and
without
bubbles
.

10
.
Disconnect
bleeder
hose
.
Instan
slavecylinder
lo
trans-

mission
.
Add
cleanbrake
fluid
to
reservoir
as
neces-

sary
.
Check
clutch
operation
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Clutch
slave
cylinder
to
transmission
................
..
22
Nm
(17
ft
lb)

Clutch
master
cylinder,
replacing

The
clutch
master
cylinder
is
mounted
to
the
pedal
assem-

bly,
directly
above
the
clutch
pedal
.
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.

CAUTION-

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
viii
.

2
.
Remove
brake
fluid
reservoir
cap
.
Usinga
clean
sy-

ringe,
remove
brake
fluid
from
reservoir
.

CA
UTION-

Brake
fluid
is
poisonous,
highly
corrosive
and
dan-gerous
to
the
environment
.
Wear
safety
glasses
and
rubbergloves
when
working
with
brake
fluid
.
Do
notsiphonbrake
fluid
with
your
mouth
.
Imme-
diately
clean
away
any
fluid
spilled
on
painted
sur-
faces
and
wash
with
water,
asbrake
fluid
will
remove
point
.

3
.
Disconnect
fluid
supply
hose
from
master
cylinder
.

Placea
pan
under
hose
to
catch
any
excess
fluid
.

4
.
Working
in
engine
compartment,
disconnect
fluid
line
fitting
frommaster
cylinder
.

5
.
Working
in
passenger
compartment,
remove
lower
in-
strument
panel
trim
above
pedal
cluster
.

6
.
Disconnect
clutch
pedal
from
clutch
master
cylinder
push
rod
by
removing
clevis
pin
locking
clip
and
slide
out
clevis
pin
.

7
.
Remove
master
cylinder
mounting
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

8
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Fill
fluid
reservoir
with
clean
fluid
.
Bleed
clutch
hydraulics
as
described
earlier
.

Connect
negative
cable
to
battery
last
.

Fig
.
3
.



Clutch
master
cylinder
mounting
bolts
.

Clutch
slave
cylinder,
replacing

0012589

Tightening
Torques

"
Clutch
master
cylinder
to
bulkhead
..
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)
"
Fluid
line
to
master
cylinder

orslave
cylinder
.................
16
Nm
(12
ft-1b)

The
clutch
slave
cylinder
is
mounted
on
the
left
side
of
the

transmission
.



CLUTCH
MECHANICAL

1
.
Remove
brake
fluid
reservoir
cap
.
Using
a
clean
sy-

ringe,
remove
brake
fluid
from
reservoir
.

2
.
Disconnect
fluid
hose
from
slave
cylinder
.
Place
a
pan

under
hose
to
catch
any
excess
fluid
.

3
.
Unbolt
slave
cylinder
from
transmission
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the
following
:

"
Check
for
wear
on
pushrod
.
Any
other
wear
except
on

tipis
caused
by
misalignment
of
clutch
components
.

"
Lightly
coat
pushrod
tip
with
molybdenum
disulfide

grease
(Molykote
0
Longterm
2
or
equivalent)
.

"
During
installation
be
sure
pushrod
tip
engages
recess

in
clutch
release
lever
.

"
Fill
fluid
reservoir
with
clean
fluid
.

"
Bleed
clutch
hydraulics
as
described
earlier
.

CLUTCH
210-
3

Fig
.
4
.



Clutch
slave
cylinder
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
.

Tablea
.
ClutchDisc
Diameter

Model



Diameter

3181/is/iC



215
mm
(8
.46
in)

325i/is/iC



228
mm
(8
.98
in)
323is/iC

328i/is/iC



240
mm
(9
.45
in)
M3

0012715

Tightening
Torques

"
Clutch
slave
cylinder

to
transmission
.
.
................
22
Nm
(17
ft
lb)
"
Fluid
line
to
slave
cylinder
......
.17
Nm
(10-12
ft
lb)

The
transmission
must
be
removed
from
the
engine
to
ac-

cess
the
clutch
mechanical
components
.
It
is
recommended

that
the
clutch
disc,
pressure
plate
and
release
bearing
be
re-

placed
duringa
clutch
overhaul
.
Be
sure
to
check
the
bottom

of
the
bellhousing
for
oil
.
If
engine
oil
is
found,
check
for
a

faulty
rear
crankshaft
oil
seal
.

CLUTCH
MECHANICAL

230
Manual
Transmission

MANUAL
TRANSMISSION



230-1

GENERAL
...
.
............
.
.......
.
.
.
.
230-1



Output
shaft
sea¡,
replacing

(transmission
installed)
....
.
.....
.
.....
.230-4

TRANSMISSION
FLUID
SERVICE
.
.
.
.
.
.
.230-1



Inputshaft
sea¡,
replacing

Transmission
fluid
leve¡,
checking
...
.
...
.
.
230-2



(transmission
removed)
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.....
.
230-5
Transmission
fluid,
replacing
.........
.
.
.
.
230-2



TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND

TRANSMISSION
SERVICE
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
230-2



INSTALLATION
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
230-5

Back-up
light
switch,
replacing
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
230-2



Transmission,
removing
and
installing
...
.
.
.
.
230-6



_

Selector
shaft
sea¡,
replacing

(transmission
installed)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
230-3



TAB

a
.
Manual
Transmission
Gear
Ratios
.
.
.
.........
.230-1

GENERAL



TRANSMISSION
FLUID
SERVICE

This
repair
group
covers
external
transmission
service,
in-



The
manual
transmissions
installed
in
the
E36
models
are

cluding
removal
and
installation
of
thetransmission
unit
.
Inter-



normally
filled
with
automatic
transmission
fluid
(ATF),
al-

nal
transmission
repair
is
not
covered
.
Special
press
tools
and



though
alternative
lubricants
may
have
beenused
from
the

procedures
are
required
to
disassemble
and
service
the
inter-



factory,
depending
on
transmission
type
and
model
year
.
For

nal
geartrain
.



example,
transmissions
fitted
to
the
M3
models
are
normally

filled
with
a
"lifetime"
manual
transmission
fluid
(BMW
MTF

Manual
transmissions
used
are
based
on
engine
applica-



LT-1)
and
do
not
require
periodic
fluid
changes
.

tion
.
Consult
200
Transmission-General
for
transmission

application
information
.
Table
a
lists
gear
ratio
specifications
.



NOTE-

The
transmission
lubricant
type
can
be
found
ona
label

NOTE-



on
the
sideof
the
transmission
.
Consult
an
authorized

Do
not
rely
on
forged
casting
numbers
for
transmission



BMW
dealer
for
altemate
fluid
use
and
the
most-up-to-

code
identification
.



date
information
regarding
transmission
operating
fluids
.

Tablea
.
Manual
Transmission
Gear
Ratios

Transmission



1



Getrag
S5D
200
G



1



Getrag
SSD
250
G



1



ZF
S5D
310
Z



1



ZF
S5D
320
Z

Gear
Ratios
:
1st



4
.23



4
.23



4
.20



4
.20
2nd



2
.52



2
.52



2
.49



2
.49
3rd



1
.66



1
.66



1
.66



1
.664th



1
.22



1
.22



1
.24



1
.24
5th



1
.00



1
.00



1
.00



1
.00

reverse



4
.04



4
.04



3
.89



3
.89

TRANSMISSION
FLUID
SERVICE

230-2



MANUAL
TRANSMISSION

Transmission
fluidleve¡,
checking

Checking
thetransmission
oil
level
involves
simply
remov-
ing
the
side
drain
plug
and
inserting
a
finger
into
the
holeto
check
the
fluid
leve¡
.
lf
the
fluid
leve¡
is
up
to
the
bottom
of
the
drain
hole
(finger
is
wetted
by
transmission
fluid),
the
leve¡
is

correct
.

Transmission
fluid,
replacing

NOTE-

Manual
transmission
fluid
type
should
be
printed
ona
label
on
the
side
of
the
transmission
.
If
in
doubt,
consult
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
for
the
up-to-dateinforma-
tion
on
operating
fluids
.

1
.
Drive
vehicle
for
afew
miles
to
warm
transmission
.

2
.
Raise
and
safely
support
vehicle
to
access
drain
plug
.

WARNING
-

"
When
raising
the
car
uslng
a
floor
jack
or
a
hy-
draulic
lift,
carefully
position
the
jack
pad
to
pre-
vent
damaging
the
car
body
.
A
suitable
liner
(wood,
rubber,
etc
.)
should
be
placed
between
the
jack
and
the
car
to
prevent
body
damage
.

"
Watch
the
jack
closely
.
Make
sure
it
stays
stable
and
does
not
shíít
or
tilt
.
As
the
car
is
raised,
the
car
may
roll
slightly
and
the
jack
may
shift
.

3
.
Place
a
drain
pan
under
transmission
andremove
drain
plug
at
bottom
of
transmission
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

Fig
.
1
.



Manual
transmission
fill
(1)
and
drain
plugs
(2)
.

TRANSMISSION
SERVICE

4
.
Install
and
torque
drain
plug
.

5
.
Remove
fill
plug
from
side
of
transmission
.
Slowly
fill

transmission
with
fluiduntilfluid
overflows
fill
hole
.

6
.
Install
and
torque
fluid
fill
plug
.

Fluid
Capacity

"
Getrag
transmission
...........
1
.0
liter
(1.1
US
qts)

"
ZF
transmission
.............
1
.2
liters(1
.3
US
qts)

Tightening
Torque

"
Transmission
drain
or
fill
plug
.......
50
Nm
(37
ft-Ib)

TRANSMISSION
SERVICE

Back-up
light
switch,
replacing

1
.
Raise
and
safely
support
vehicle
to
accessback-up

light
switch
.

NOTE-

"
The
back-up
light
switch
on
Getrag
transmissions
is
in
the
left
rearof
the
transmission
.

"
Theback-up
light
switch
on
ZF
transmission
isin
the
rightfront
of
thetransmission
.

2
.
Unscrew
switch
from
transmission
.

3
.
Install
new
switch
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Back-up
light
switch

to
transmission
..
..
.
.....
.
..
.....
20
Nm
(15
ft-ib)

4
.
Check
transmission
fluid
leve¡
before
lowering
vehicle
.

Selector
shaft
seal,
replacing

(transmission
instalied)

1
.
Raise
and
safely
support
vehicle
to
access
drain
plug
.

2
.
Support
transmission
with
transmission
jack
.

3
.
Remove
driveshaft
.
See
260
Driveshaft
.

4
.
Remove
transmission
crossmember
and
tilt
down
rear

of
transmission
.

CA
UTION--

Tilting
the
engine
to
lower
the
transmission
can
lead
to
damage
to
various
cgmponents
due
to
lack
of
clearance
.
-On
cars
with
AST
(traction
control)
remove
throt-
tle
body
before
tiltlng
engine
.
-Remove
brake
fluid
reservoir
lf
necessary
.

Locking
pin

á



Locking
clip

8
.
Reinstall
shift
linkage
to
selectorshaft
.

7
.
Coat
new
seal
with
transmission
fluid
.
Drive
new
seal
in

flush
with
housing
.
Use
BMW
special
seal
installation
tool
no
.
23
2
260
orequivalent
and
a
soft-faced
(plastic)

hammer
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

9
.
Fiaise
transmission
and
reinstall
crossmember
.

MANUAL
TRANSMISSION



230-
3

Seal
Selector

_
shaft

5
.
Working
at
rear
of
selector
shaft,
disconnect
shift
link-



Fig
.
3
.



Selector
shaft
oil
sea¡
being
pried
out
with
screwdriver
.

age
from
selectorshaft
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

Fig
.
4
.



Selector
shaftseal
being
installed
.

6542

0012020

Fig
.
2
.



Disconnect
shift
linkage
from
transmission
selector
shaft
by

prying
back
locking
clip
and
pushing
locking
pin
out
.



10
.
Install
driveshaft
using
new
nuts
.
See260
Driveshaft
.

6
.
Carefully
pry
sea¡
out
with
a
narrow
seal
remover
or



11
.
Check
transmission
oil
level,
topping
upas
necessary
.

small
screwdriver
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Driveshaftto
flex
disc/

final
drive
flange
..............
See
260
Driveshaft

"
Transmission
crossmember
to
chassis

M8
........
..
.
...
........
22-24
Nm
(16-17
ft-1b)

M10
........
.
.
...
...
.
.........
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

TRANSMISSIONSERVICE

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION



240-1

240
Automatic
Transmission

GENERAL
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
.
240-1



TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND

INSTALLATION
..................
.
.
.
.
.240-4
TRANSMISSION
SERVICE
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
240-1



Transmission,
removing
and
installing
....
.
.
.240-4

ATF
leve¡,
checking
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
240-1

ATF,
draining
and
filling
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
240-2



TABLE

a
.
Automatic
Transmission
Gear
Ratios
.......
..
.
.
240-1

GENERAL



TRANSMISSION
SERVICE



lo

Automatic
transmissions
are
identified
by
code
letters



ATF
leve¡,
checking

foundon
a
data
plate
located
on
the
sideof
thetransmission

case,
behind
the
manual
valve
lever
.
See
200Transmis-



The
automatic
transmissions
installed
in
the
E36
models
sion-General
for
application
information
.
Forgear
ratio
spec-



are
normally
filled
with
Dexron
III
automatic
transmission
fluid

ifications,
see
Table
a
.



(ATF),
although
alternative
fluids
have
been
installed
from
the

factory,
depending
on
transmission
type
and
model
year
.

CAUTION-



Some
transmíssions
are
filled
with
a
special
BMW
"lifetime"

ATF
does
not
circulate
unless
the
engine
is
run-



automatic
transmission
fluid,
which
does
not
require
periodic

ning
.
When
towing
an
automafic
transmission
ve-



fluid
changes
.

hicle,
usea
flat-bed
truck
or
ralse
the
rear
wheels
off
the
ground
.



CAUTION-

Mixing
different
types
of
transmission
fluids
will

The
electronic
transmission
control
module
(TCM)
monitors



lead
to
transmission
failure
.

transmissionoperation
for
faults
and
alerts
the
driver
by
illumi-

nating
the
transmission
fault
indicator
on
the
instrument
pan-

el
.
On-board
diagnostic
codes
stored
in
the
TCM
mustbe



NOTE-

downloaded
and
interpreted
by
trained
technicians
using
spe-



The
transmission
lubricant
instafed
can
be
foundona

cial
BMW
diagnostic
equipment
.



type
plate
on
the
side
of
the
transmission
.
In
addition,
a
sticker
may
be
located
on
the
fluid
sump
indicatingthe
typeof
transmission
lubricant
used
.
Ifin
doubt,
con

NOTE-



sult
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
for
altemate
fluid
use

Internal
repairs
to
the
automatic
transmission
require



and
current
information
regardingtransmission
operat-
special
service
equipment
and
knowledge
.
If
it
is
deter-



ing
fluids
.

mined
thatinterna¡
service
is
required,
consult
en
au-

thorízedBMWdealerabouta
factoryreconditioned
unit



The
transmission
is
not
equipped
with
a
dipstick
.
Checking
or
a
transmission
rebuild
.



the
ATF
leve¡
requires
measuring
and
maintaining
a
specified

ATF
temperature
during
the
checking
procedure
.
The
check-

ing
temperature
is
not
fully
warm
orcold
(the
ATF
sump

should
be
approximately
warm
to
the
touch)
.

Table
a
.
Automatic
Transmission
Gear
Ratios

Transmission



MS
310R
(THM-R1)



MS
310R
(THM-Rl)



MS
310Z(5HP
18)



I



MS
270R
(THM-R1)
(1992-1993)(1993-on)

Gear
ratios
:
1st



2
.40



2
.86



3
.67



2
.86

2nd



1
.47



1
.62



2
.00



1
.62
3rd



1
.00



1
.00



1.41



1
.00
4th



0
.72



0
.72



1
.00



0
.72
5th



-



-



0
.74



-
Reverse



2
.00



2
.00



4
.10



2
.00

TRANSMISSIONSERVICE

240-2



AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION

WARNING
-

If
the
appropriate
temperature
measuring
equip-
ment
is
not
available,
ATF
leve¡
checking
shouldbe
left
to
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
The
checking
pro-
cedure
should
be
done
on
a
lift
with
the
engine
run-
ning
in
neutral
.
In
addition,
the
transmission
fluid
temperature
must
be
maintained
within
a
narrow
range
duringthe
checking
procedure
.

1
.
Place
vehicle
on
a
lift
.

WARNING
-

To
lift
the
vehicle
safely,
see
010
Fundamentals
for
the
Do-it-Yourself
Owner
.

2
.
Warm
up
drivetrain
by
running
engine
until
ATF
reach-

es
specified
temperature
.
Apply
brake
and,
while
idling
engine,
shift
through
all
gears
severa¡
times
.
Turn
en-
gine
off
.

ATF
Level
Checking

"
Fluid
temperature
..
...........
30-55°C
(86-131°F)

3
.
Remove
ATF
fill
plug
.
Place
transmission
in
neutral
and



ATF,draining
and
filling
restart
engine
.
See
Fig
.
1
or
Fig
.
2
.

Fig
.
1
.



ATF
fill
plug
(A)
on
MS
270R/A4S310R
transmissions
.

4
.
With
ATF
at
specified
temperature,
add
(luid
until
it
spilis
from
fill
hole
.

WARNING
-

HotATFcan
scald
.
Weareye
protection
and
protec-
tive
clothing
and
gloves
duringthe
check
.
If
thetransmission
was
overfilled,
hot
ATF
will
spill
from
the
filler
hole
when
the
fill
plug
is
removed
.

5
.
Reinstall
fill
plug
using
new
sealing
ring
.

TRANSMISSION
SERVICE

011743

0011742

Fig
.
2
.



ATF
drain
plug
(A)
and
fill
plug
(B)
on
A5S
310Z
transmission
.

Tightening
Torques

"
ATF
fill
plug
to
ATF
sump

MS
270R/A4S
31
OR
.............
33
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)
MS
310Z
(M30
plug)
............
100
Nm
(74
ft-Ib)

The
procedure
given
here
includes
removal
and
installation

of
the
ATF
(luid
strainer
(filter)
.

1
.
Remove
drain
plug
and
drain
fluidinto
container
.
See
Fig
.
3
or
Fig
.
2
given
earlier
.

0~
0

/\1--Z
.IZ
~
~

A



~
"o



15/

Fig
.
3
.



ATF
drain
plug
(A)
on
A4S
270R/A4S
310R
.

WARNING
-

The
ATF
must
not
be
hot
when
draining
.
Do
not
drain
the
ATF
if
the
engineandlor
transmission
Is
hot
.
Hot
ATF
can
scald
.
Wear
eye
protection,
pro-
tective
clothing
and
gloves
.

0011595

2
.
On
MS
270R/A4S
310R
transmissions
:
Remove
front



5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
Rmoval
.
and
rear
oil
sump
mounting
bolts
andremove
sumps



"
Always
replace
sea¡
for
drain
plug
and
al¡
gasket(s)
andand
sump
gaskets
.



O-rings
.

"
Clean
sump
and
sump
magnet(s)
using
a
lint-free

NOTE-



cloth
.

The
MS
270
R/A4S
310
R
transmissions
may
be
fitted



"
On
MS
270R/A4S310R
transmissions
:
Use
new
bolts

with
ASE
(inch)
bolts
.



at
sump
and
tighten
bolts
in-line,
one
after
other
(do
nottighten
bolts
in
a
cross-wise
pattern)
.

3
.
On
A5S
310Z
transmission
:
Remove
oil
sump
mount-



"
On
MS
310Z
transmission,
be
sureto
instan
rounded

ing
bolts
and
brackets,
noting
position
of
brackets
.
Re-



sump
clamping
brackets
at
corners
of
sump
.

move



"
Fill
transmission
with
approved
fluid
.
sump
and
sump
gasket
.



"
Check
fluid
level
as
described
under
ATF
leve¡,

4
.
Remove
ATF
otra¡ner
mount¡ng
screws
and
remove



checking
.

strainer
together
with
gasket
orO-ring
.
See
Fig
.
4
or

Fig
.
5
.

Fig
.
4
.



A4S
270R/A4S310R
fluid
strainer
mounting
boits
(arrows)
.

Fig
.
5
.



A5S
310Z
fluid
strainer
mounting
boits
(arrows)
.

0013230

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION



240-
3

NOTE-

Use
newsump
bolts
purchased
from
BMW
.
Alternative-
ly,
clean
old
bolts
and
coat
with
Loctite®
thread
locking
compound
or
equivalent

Automatic
Transmission
Fluid
Capacity
(refill
only)

"
MS
270R/A4S310R
Removal
of
large
sump
only
........
3
.0liters
(3.2
qt)
Removal
ofboth
sumps
...........
5
.0liters(5
.3
qt)

"
MS
310Z
..
..
..................
3
.3liters
(3.5
qt)

Tightening
Torques

"
ATF
drain
plug
to
ATF
sump

MS
270R/A4S
310R
..........
..
25
Nm
(18
ft-Ib)

MS
310Z(M10
plug)
..........
..
16
Nm
(12
ft-Ib)

"
ATF
fill
plug
to
ATF
sump

MS
270R/A4S
310R
..........
..
33
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)

MS
310Z(M30
plug)
.....
..
..
:.
100
Nm
(74
ft-Ib)

"
ATF
strainer
to
valve
body

MS
270R/A4S
310R
.....
..
.
...
.
20
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)

MS
310Z
..............
..
.
...
..
6
Nm
(53
in-lb)

"
ATF
sump
to
transmission

MS
270R/A4S
310R
(M6)
.
..
.
..
...
12
Nm
(9
ft-¡b)

MS
310Z
(M6)
..........
..
.
..
...
6
Nm
(53
in-¡b)

TRANSMISSION
SERVICE