Gearbox slightly noisier after oil change.

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BraveHelios

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Hello all,

So I recently replaced the oil in my 04 545 gearbox with Redline D4ATF oil. I have good reason to believe that this was the first gearbox oil change in its 80k life.

Since the oil change, it now seems that the the gearbox is somewhat louder than before. Not terribly bad... just a bit noisier than before. I am not sure if it has to do with viscosity...?

Is there a recommended additive that I can put in to quiet it down a bit... versus removing the brand new oil and putting in something else?

Thanks!
 
I thought that GM Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid was just Dexron IIIH. If you have a Tremec T56 or TR6060 manual gearbox, Tremec themselves call for Dexron (without any letters after it). Since nobody makes plain old Dexron any more, Ford spec's Mercon V, Dodge spec's ATF+4 and GM specs GM Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid.
 
No manual transmission should run ATF? My Ranger manual calls for Mercon. What should I use then? Boutique oils like Redline, Amsoil, or RP are out for me. And how well will a gear lube work in a manual transmission when it's cold?
 
Originally Posted By: dsmith41
No manual transmission should run ATF? My Ranger manual calls for Mercon. What should I use then? Boutique oils like Redline, Amsoil, or RP are out for me. And how well will a gear lube work in a manual transmission when it's cold?


use a properly GL-4 rated MTF of the proper viscosity. Transmissions that spec ATF are better off with an MTF of the same viscosity.

What brand will you accept since you don't like "botique" brands are not acceptable for you?
 
Last edited:
If not clear; my car is a 2004 BMW 545i with a 6 speed manual transmission.

The oil I installed was recommended on the forums... that's why I chose what I did.

What I did not know was that the transmission would operate noisier than before with 80k original oil.

I would rather not replace all the new (and expensive)oil with MTL at this point; that's why I'm asking if there is a recommended oil additive to perhaps thicken the mixture... maybe like Liqui-Moly Gear Protect (2863) or Liqui-Moly Oil Additive (2510).
 
Originally Posted By: badtlc
Transmissions that spec ATF are better off with an MTF of the same viscosity.


I guess I'll ask the obvious question: if they're better off with MTF of the same viscosity, then why didn't the OEM spec MTF? I can't see it being a fuel economy thing, if we're talking about similar viscosity here. I suppose it could be a convenience thing, for the dealerships to not have to stock a bunch of MTF. But really?

Chevrolet puts ATF into its halo car's manual transmission (Corvette)...or at least used to. My brother's 1999 C5 calls for Dex-III in its 6-speed gearbox if I'm correct. If the transmission is better protected with an MTF, why wouldn't Chevy have used one?
 
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: badtlc
Transmissions that spec ATF are better off with an MTF of the same viscosity.


I guess I'll ask the obvious question: if they're better off with MTF of the same viscosity, then why didn't the OEM spec MTF? I can't see it being a fuel economy thing, if we're talking about similar viscosity here. I suppose it could be a convenience thing, for the dealerships to not have to stock a bunch of MTF. But really?

Chevrolet puts ATF into its halo car's manual transmission (Corvette)...or at least used to. My brother's 1999 C5 calls for Dex-III in its 6-speed gearbox if I'm correct. If the transmission is better protected with an MTF, why wouldn't Chevy have used one?


The ATFs were originally spec'd to improve cold weather shifting and reduce consumer complaints. There were no low viscosity MTFs at that time. If you notice, now days manufacturers spec low viscosity MTFs because they are available. Nobody specs an ATF for a manual transmission anymore despite everyone using low viscosity fluids for their manual transmissions.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: BraveHelios
Hello all,

So I recently replaced the oil in my 04 545 gearbox with Redline D4ATF oil. I have good reason to believe that this was the first gearbox oil change in its 80k life.

Since the oil change, it now seems that the the gearbox is somewhat louder than before. Not terribly bad... just a bit noisier than before. I am not sure if it has to do with viscosity...?

Is there a recommended additive that I can put in to quiet it down a bit... versus removing the brand new oil and putting in something else?

Thanks!


Is this a 2004 BMW 545i? By gearbox are you meaning a manual transmission or differential? Being exact in the description helps us help you.

More information please.

If it is a manual transmission, BMWs are know to be VERY sensitive to the fluid that is used. Many BMW owners use only the fluid the BMW dealer sells for manual transmissions.
 
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: badtlc
Transmissions that spec ATF are better off with an MTF of the same viscosity.


I guess I'll ask the obvious question: if they're better off with MTF of the same viscosity, then why didn't the OEM spec MTF? I can't see it being a fuel economy thing, if we're talking about similar viscosity here. I suppose it could be a convenience thing, for the dealerships to not have to stock a bunch of MTF. But really?

Chevrolet puts ATF into its halo car's manual transmission (Corvette)...or at least used to. My brother's 1999 C5 calls for Dex-III in its 6-speed gearbox if I'm correct. If the transmission is better protected with an MTF, why wouldn't Chevy have used one?


The bolded above is the EXACT reason why, along with the FACTORIES not having to have 10 different fluids on hand, AND the aforementioned cold weather shifting performance.

I believe that even the latest, 670 HP C6 ZR1 came from the factory with a Dex 3-like ATF in it's TR6060 gearbox, but I personally would dump that ASAP, and install RL MTL, or Amsoil MTF if I had one (even though it has a trans cooler/pump from the factory).
wink.gif
 
Fwiw I had a 528i manual and I put lucas gear oil in it at 90k, felt just fine before and after the change. Also put it in the rear diff, Same results. Have also heard guys say run a dino 10-40 in a manual and works great, never tried it long term myself, thats what a honda tech told me to do when I put a manual in a mid 90's civic. Put it in there for a short run just to make sure the trans was good ( junkyard trans)then immediately changed it with Hondas mtf, it definately felt better than the dino. What did bmw tell you to use? That nice of a rig I think I would have consulted the dealer and bought what they recommended, thats just me. Good luck
 
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