How to drain transfer case?

[happydude]

I am trying to replace the transfer case fluid in my X5. I see on realoem and newTIS there is a fill plug. I took it off and tried to put my transfer pump in to pump out the fluid, but cannot seem to get it into the fluid. Is there a drain plug I am not seeing? How has anyone who has performed this maintenance drained it?

[turboawd]

It's been a little while since I changed mine, but I could swear there was a drain plug.

[turboawd]

Ok. Looked up a pic of the transfer case and maybe there is no drain. Do you have a fluid extractor?
I use this for taking fluids out of differentials and t cases.
Mityvac MVA6851 Automotive Accessories https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MPQ8RBG..._kZT3Cb0QFHEZG

[happydude]

Thanks. I will try a smaller tube with my pump to see if I can get deeper. Working on transmission oil right now.

[turboawd]

Your tube may be hitting the chain inside. And don't use too big of a tube.

[happydude]

Thanks. It worked with getting a smaller tube in there. Just wanted to make sure there wasn’t an easier way I was overlooking. I guess it was also a little tighter since I didn’t remove the cross member.

[ferrarif1]

Originally Posted by happydude

Thanks. I will try a smaller tube with my pump to see if I can get deeper. Working on transmission oil right now.

Transmission Oil change is a PIA. You need to fill while the engine is running and use ISTA to do the final fill (and keep trans below a certain temp) so be careful to make sure you get a complete fill.

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by ferrarif1

Transmission Oil change is a PIA. You need to fill while the engine is running and use ISTA to do the final fill (and keep trans below a certain temp) so be careful to make sure you get a complete fill.

Ista? Why?

[turboawd]

Wrap a towel around exhaust pipe as you're topping of so you don't burn yourself. Like said engine must be running on final fill.

[markslc1]

Originally Posted by happydude

I am trying to replace the transfer case fluid in my X5. I see on realoem and newTIS there is a fill plug. I took it off and tried to put my transfer pump in to pump out the fluid, but cannot seem to get it into the fluid. Is there a drain plug I am not seeing? How has anyone who has performed this maintenance drained it?

You sure about that? Transfer case fluid kits include two new case plugs. And others have stated a drain plug exists. I'm about to tackle this weekend and want to know for sure.

[happydude]

Originally Posted by markslc1

You sure about that? Transfer case fluid kits include two new case plugs. And others have stated a drain plug exists. I'm about to tackle this weekend and want to know for sure.

Here is the diagram of the transfer case. I looked around and didn't see anything. I had some extra plugs hoping there was a drain. If you find one please let me know so in 60k miles I'll be able to do it easier.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=27_0068

[ferrarif1]

Originally Posted by turboawd

Ista? Why?

Trans final fill needs to be at a specific temperature (which is fairly low) and ista makes it easy to verify this temp to ensure correct oil level.

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by ferrarif1

Trans final fill needs to be at a specific temperature (which is fairly low) and ista makes it easy to verify this temp to ensure correct oil level.

Meh. I doubt that matters. Just start the car and go thru the gears. Fill it and put plug in before fluid gets hot.

[Mr.47]

Only one fill/drain plug, you'll need to use a clean tube to extract the old fluid, and fill with BMW Power Divider oil TF 0870 part# 83220397244, no need for ISTA or perform readaptation on the transfer case after fluid change unlike the previous generation X5 E70's where you have to. You'll also need to replace the fill plug.

[CatalinP]

Originally Posted by ferrarif1

Trans final fill needs to be at a specific temperature (which is fairly low) and ista makes it easy to verify this temp to ensure correct oil level.

You've mixed up transmission fluid and transfer box fluid.
The one with critical temperature is the gearbox / transmission.

[markslc1]

I just finished up my transfer case fluid change. I'm happy to report that the procedure does NOT require you to remove the support crossmember. Though the fitment is tight, you can remove the plug, drain and fill by running your hand over the top of the crossmember rear-to-front to access the plug. Using a suction device, and a piece of rigid brake line (bent at 300 degrees), I was able to get deep down into the xfer case to get the fluid. It really starts making sense once all the splash shields are off. Overall not a bad job if you have the right tools.

[TiminIndy]

Originally Posted by Mr.47

Only one fill/drain plug, you'll need to use a clean tube to extract the old fluid, and fill with BMW Power Divider oil TF 0870 part# 83220397244, no need for ISTA or perform readaptation on the transfer case after fluid change unlike the previous generation X5 E70's where you have to. You'll also need to replace the fill plug.

I'm doing initial research on changing out all fluids on my new (to me) 2014 X5 xDrive35i. I pulled up BMW Power Divider oil TF 0870 part# 83220397244 on FCP, ECS, Turner, and AutoHausAZ and they all show that this part # "Does NOT fit your BMW F15 X5 xDrive35i N55 3.0L"

I checked 83222409710KT and get the same info. So far, I haven't found anything definitive stating what the correct fluid is for my transfer case.

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by TiminIndy

I'm doing initial research on changing out all fluids on my new (to me) 2014 X5 xDrive35i. I pulled up BMW Power Divider oil TF 0870 part# 83220397244 on FCP, ECS, Turner, and AutoHausAZ and they all show that this part # "Does NOT fit your BMW F15 X5 xDrive35i N55 3.0L"

I checked 83222409710KT and get the same info. So far, I haven't found anything definitive stating what the correct fluid is for my transfer case.

83222409710 is the right fluid.

[dn325ci]

Planning to change this fluid. Do I only need to buy 1 quart of DTF 1? I'm not seeing the transfer case capacity given anywhere. Thanks.

[scotty339]

Originally Posted by dn325ci

Planning to change this fluid. Do I only need to buy 1 quart of DTF 1? I'm not seeing the transfer case capacity given anywhere. Thanks.

ATC45L drain and fill is about .7L

You are good with one bottle.

Small 8" piece of brake line that fits the ID of whatever suction gun you are using goes a long way to get the fluid out.
Bend it like a candy cane with the long part being what goes into the TC.

[dn325ci]

Originally Posted by scotty339

ATC45L drain and fill is about .7L

You are good with one bottle.

Small 8" piece of brake line that fits the ID of whatever suction gun you are using goes a long way to get the fluid out.
Bend it like a candy cane with the long part being what goes into the TC.

Thank you for the help, Scotty. Will a small flexible hose be good enough for the TC vacuum, or does it need to be rigid?

[scotty339]

Originally Posted by dn325ci

Thank you for the help, Scotty. Will a small flexible hose be good enough for the TC vacuum, or does it need to be rigid?

I did not remove the transfer case cross member as I had the short 14mm allen bit to open the plug. It was a tight space and I was happy I had the brake line to help with the angle.

I used a 200cc suction gun, so I had to make about 4 trips to suck out and empty. You'll have to come straight up and then manage to get it to come back down towards you. With the plastic tube not having memory, this can be tough.

I had my brake line bent like a candy cane, fished it up and into place. Had my 200cc suction pump and catch pan underneath. I'd conect the pump to the brake line, suck out what I could. Leave the brake line in the TC. Detach the suction pump plastic line from the brake line, one hand to cover the end of the brake line so fluid does not drain on your floor, or have a drain pan, then dump your gun, hook it back up and rinse and repeat.

Just be careful poking around inside with the metal brake line. Ensure the ends are clean with no burs or shavings ect.

Good luck. Let me know how it goes if you try without the plastic.