Adding a dipstick to a "lifetime fill " trans

[brucelee]

I know this may sound strange but bear with me. I recently changed the fluid and filter in my 99 BMW 328I. This is a so-called lifetime fill trans.

Nonsense!

Anyway, after draining fluid, dropping pan, installing new filter, we then needed to add new fluid.

This was the hardest part of the job, pumping ATF up into the side opening. What a pain!

It ocurred to me how easy this would have been with a dipstick and tube. I was hoping that SOMEONE else had gone through the same process and decided that yes, that old dipstick and tube would come in handy and then went ahead and started producing one to retrofit to trans like these.

Is this just pie in the sky or are they out there?

Thanks!

 

[Kestas]

You may have better luck finding the answer if you can locate a good BMW-specific forum and post your question there. I'm sure somebody would give the answer you need in such a forum.

 

[bmwtechguy]

I'm not aware of any such retrofits, but yes, it sure would be nice for those that still want to service their own transmissions. BMW does not want you putting some off-spec fluid in there, or even servicing these units at all. (Plus it saves them money not putting in a dipstick and tube.) The hardest part for the DYI would be getting the (right amount of) fluid back in there. Inexpensive pumps can be found for under $10. Without a shop lift, it could be a challenge to get the vehicle up and level so that the right amount of fluid can be added. Remember that fluid/trans must be at specified temp to get correct fill level. I think that measuring the exact amount removed and just replacing that amount would be easier for most folks. I'm more in favor of servicing the GM units which degrade the fluid faster and create more debris over time than the ZF automatics (my opinion). I've pulled pans down on 150k mile ZF units that had clean pans and fluid not too bad.

 

[brucelee]

I did post on the BMW forum on this. No takers so far.

Yes, the refill is a pain. We used a hand pump etc but still, this would be SO easy if they had a dipstick tube.

Stick the evacuator in, etc.

That is how I do it on my wife's Subaru.

Takes all of 20 minutes.

Thanks

 

[nascarnation]

Typically the fill tube is grommeted into a transmission housing bore provided for that purpose.
Absent a suitable opening, if the space claim allows, welding a fitting to the side of the oil pan may be possible to adapt to a fill tube.

 

[ALS]

You should see the joke of a tube and stick that Volvo put in their cars today. My 97 960 has the so called life time fill. You have to either reach down between the Firewall, Brake master cylinder and engine to get a hold of the 8 inch long dip stick. Or get at least a 24 inch 3/8 inch socket extension to insert into the top of the dipstick twist and pull it out. Filling is fun since you have to double up two extra long funnels to be able to fill through the dipstick hole. Don't forget to use a flash light while putting the funnel in the opening or most of the transmission fluid will end up on the ground.

 

[2KBMW]

Brucelee. What type of tranny is in
your 99 and what kind of fluid did you
use? Also, how was the fluid and filter?

 

[Alan]

It's too easy with a dipstick and an accesible drain plug,that's why VW and BMW don't include them! You want it changed? Come to them.$$$!

 

[brucelee]

"Brucelee. What type of tranny is in
your 99 and what kind of fluid did you
use? Also, how was the fluid and filter"

I have the 5 speed automatic, non-seq. shift model.

The fluid was dirty as you would expect, ditto filter. However, nothing else of note, no lumps, clumps or metal shavings.

The bottom end of the trans was actually very clean, no varnish or other issues.

Glad I did the service, I simply would find it easier to do more frequent drain/refills if a dipstick were there.

 

[99]

I have to go through the same thing with my wife's 01 and 04 VWs. The VWs have no dipstick and the fill and check procedure is a joke in my opinion. I just throw 3 liters of VW ATF in and call it good until the next change. My friend has a similar issue with his new Dodge "Charger"...the dipstick tube is there on his, but it's sealed up with presumably no dipstick. *** are the OEMs thinking? Having a dipstick to check a vital fluid level is a nobrainer and to not have one is just stupid.

As far as I know, nobody offers retrofit dipsticks and tubes. I checked for VW and came up empty handed. If someone was resourceful enough to produce them, they could make a killing selling them.

 

[Kestas]

We all know that the reason is partly because of cost savings by the manufacturer. But I think an important reason is because manufacturers don't want idiots topping off the transmission with Dexron instead of the VW-specific fluid. The average car owner is a moron compared with us BITOGers when it comes to car maintenance. Most have never even looked at their owners manual.

But if the new Dodge Charger uses Dexron III, then include me in your rant.