Liqui Moly ATF 1800 alternative for ZF8 Fluid

[M302_imola]

Originally Posted by Mr.47

Don't Not Use aftermarket for any ZF transmission, Use OEM for Fluid and oil pan/filter if you want to retain that smooth precise transmission shifts.

The fluid you need is
ZF lifeguard 8

The filter and drain plug is integrated into the pan, you'll also need to replace all 13x T40 pan bolts and the fill plug.

Use this (free shipping
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-24118612901kt

or cheapest (+ Shipping)
http://www.thectsc.com/products/oil-...--227-109.html

WOW FCP euro used to be the cheap at $250 for the kit, not sure what happened price nearly jumped $95 more since i've bought last, either or they're the same price if you factor the shipping from cost from the California transmission store ($35+ for shipping).

I just changed mine out a couple of weeks ago, if you're planning to do this on you own it can get really messy. and if you have X-drive accessing the rear bolt on the pan can be tricky, and you'll need a jack or trans lift to lift up the rear so you can slide a stubby torx bit and undo the pan bolt. You'll also need ISTA-D to access transmission fluid temperature, transmission needs to be filled at a certain temperature with the engine running (exhaust pipe burns) and there a fill procedure that involves shifting the transmission into P>R>N>D>M1>M2>M3 gear and Holding 2000 Rpm for 30 seconds in Park, lastly you have to measure how much you drain and put in the trans.

Not trying to scare you away but its quite tricky (if you have x-drive) and very very messy (regardless) to get it done but its quite straight forward .

Ps if your sending to a shop make sure they replace the pan and bolts and not just do a drain and refill trans.

You think any competent indy shop will be well versed enough in this procedure? My indy looks jobs up with his computer software program so I would hope it would have the shifting of the transmission procedure during the fill down. Your thoughts? This is a fast lube shop with a full shop with about 12 bays in the back of it. I trusted them enough with my M3 several years back.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by M302_imola

You think any competent indy shop will be well versed enough in this procedure? My indy looks jobs up with his computer software program so I would hope it would have the shifting of the transmission procedure during the fill down. Your thoughts? This is a fast lube shop with a full shop with about 12 bays in the back of it. I trusted them enough with my M3 several years back.

Just ask them.

[M302_imola]

^^^Brilliant lol. In a seriousness I will. I have my mechanics number so I'll shoot him a text.

[M302_imola]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Just ask them.

Well my mechanic doesn't have the INSTA-D to measure temp. Does temp have to be measured? I called another shop that specializes in BMW and they quoted me something absurd like $1100. Labor alone was $330. I told the shop I'd purchase the kit online and bring it to them and they said they couldn't do it. All parts have to be purchased through them. Talk about ripoff. I'm kind of at a lose on what to do.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by M302_imola

Well my mechanic doesn't have the INSTA-D to measure temp. Does temp have to be measured? I called another shop that specializes in BMW and they quoted me something absurd like $1100. Labor alone was $330. I told the shop I'd purchase the kit online and bring it to them and they said they couldn't do it. All parts have to be purchased through them. Talk about ripoff. I'm kind of at a lose on what to do.

Ya lot of shops do that for liability reasons. It is annoying. Maybe you can just get them to order the kit you want. No way they should be spending $800 on parts lol. It's just fluid and a filter

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by M302_imola

Well my mechanic doesn't have the INSTA-D to measure temp. Does temp have to be measured? I called another shop that specializes in BMW and they quoted me something absurd like $1100. Labor alone was $330. I told the shop I'd purchase the kit online and bring it to them and they said they couldn't do it. All parts have to be purchased through them. Talk about ripoff. I'm kind of at a lose on what to do.

I don't think it matters. I never check temp when changing fluid. How much can fluid expand In reality?

[M302_imola]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Ya lot of shops do that for liability reasons. It is annoying. Maybe you can just get them to order the kit you want. No way they should be spending $800 on parts lol. It's just fluid and a filter

Nope, they wanted to charge me $50 per liter of tranny fluid. I won't be taking it to them!

Originally Posted by turboawd

I don't think it matters. I never check temp when changing fluid. How much can fluid expand In reality?

That's kind of what I was thinking especially if it's not a bitter cold day and done in a garage. Just don't want to screw this up!

[fmorelli]

Originally Posted by Mr.47

Also per Liqui Moly using Top Tec 1800 "Optimum effectiveness is only possible when the product is used unmixed." Meaning if your going to use this fluid you have to drain and fill 2-3 more times to clear out of the old zf lifeguard, which why I did not recommend not using this fluid and stick with zf lifeguard 8.

For all practical purposes you can get most of the fluid out. Here's what I use:

https://www.ctatools.com/index.php?r...roduct_id=1687

Works like a champ ... 6HP, 8HP ... and how fortunate, handles my wife's Mercedes slushbox too.

[Sdemaio]

Originally Posted by turboawd

I don't think it matters. I never check temp when changing fluid. How much can fluid expand In reality?

A LOT! When doing the change cold, then getting the trans up to 110-120°f, most fills require somewhere between .75 and 1.5l of additional fluid to be full. Running your transmission 1.5l short of full is very much not good and will likely lead to issues long term.

[Chilled]

Originally Posted by Sdemaio

A LOT! When doing the change cold, then getting the trans up to 110-120°f, most fills require somewhere between .75 and 1.5l of additional fluid to be full. Running your transmission 1.5l short of full is very much not good and will likely lead to issues long term.

Brah, tell us you don't understand thermal expansion and cant do math without saying you don't understand thermal expansion and cant do math.

As per your own post, doing a fill with the oil cold would mean he gets MORE oil into the gearbox not less. Going from 20°C to 40°C on 7L of oil would increase it volumetric size by just under 100ml.

The reason for the recommended temp is so the oil has enough time to make it through all the channels and passages smoothly. That additional oil your filling was the oil that was taken up by the TQ, pump, and all the passages.

*EDIT*, Sorry was with in-laws and probably could of worded that nicer.