ZF 8 speed fluid change questions.

[Kira]

filter is separate …

Separate how?
From what I see in the catalog picture, the filter is a flat pad like shape held in place by a frame attached to the pan.
Is this right?

 

[4WD]

Separate how?
From what I see in the catalog picture, the filter is a flat pad like shape held in place by a frame attached to the pan.
Is this right?

It’s not part of the pan like many Mopar’s
(sold separately) …

 

[Craig in Canada]

To the extent of my knowledge:

The most recent iteration of the Mopar pan does NOT have a replaceable filter and does NOT have a fluid drain plug.

The Dorman pan DOES have both a replaceable filter and a fluid drain plug, which is why I bought that one. The price was the same, but I like that now in 50k miles I can do a drain and fill and not fool with dropping the pan since the filter will last a LONG time in these transmissions.

I haven't seen any other brands that sell the correct pan/filter assembly for these ZF 8 speeds and I'm not sure I'd trust any other brands even if they did.

When I last did the ZF8 in my '11 BMW, I ordered a ZF pan, not a "BMW" one. The filter is integrated and not removable and it had a drain plug, just like the BMW factory pan.

Instead of the "Mopar pan", has anyone just tried to source the pan from ZF? Personally, knowing that all filters are not created equal, and the reputation that Dorman has, while I understand that not having a drain plug is unacceptable I want verified top-notch filter media in my transmission filter even if it's at the expense of it not being "removable".

Perhaps just getting ZF OE checks both boxes?

 

[kitchbow]

I run valvoline max atf in mine .......did a full pan replacement at 75,000 and every spring I suck out 1 gallon and replace, then do the fluid check procedure ........ I make sure the PAN is perfectly level when checking .....jack back wheels up until PAN is level ...DOES NOT SIT LEVEL WITH WHEELS ON GROUND OR ON LIFT

 

[kitchbow]

It has a drain plug but it’s practically useless because of an exhaust crossover pipe. (PPE even says the exhaust needs to be at least loosened to install their pan) I’m thinking through future changes. I want to change the filter soon and I’m thinking of only keeping Lifeguard 8 in it until about 100,000 miles just in case of any “good will warranty” needs lol

Was planning on having a local guy that I use for stuff I don’t want to do handle the filter because of that exhaust mess (he’s also the only guy who’s given me any level of confidence in changing this pan). But if I could use a Mityvac or something similar to pull fluid out of the fill hole, I would do that myself a time or two to get a higher percentage of fresh fluid.

After 100k, maybe change over to HPL Green. But I’d want to get as much of it to be HPL as possible. So at that point it would be either evacuation or a PPE to make it reasonable. Rod Knock gave me some good tips for switching to the PPE pan.

 

[kitchbow]

I BOUGHT A 12V PUMP OFF AMAZON .....WORKS GREAT TO GET FLUID OUT THROUGH FILL HOLE .......20 BUCKS WORTH IT

 

[4WD]

They probably assume that the shops get it level

And if you're DIYing it, you probably have decent enough knowledge to know that

A dealership is doing this on a lift - somewhere daily …
With the short length of saturation - can’t be but ounces …
(levelness)

 

[kitchbow]

Any chance you’ve used the mityvac to pull fluid out through the full hole?

Was browsing some pan off pictures and I’m not sure if it’s possible.

Bought a 12v pump from Amazon....put the hose in the fill hole towards drain plug (lowest point) and turn it on .....got a little over a gallon,,,jacked front of truck up and got about 1 1/2 qts more......good for not dropping pan

 

[SEBZX79]

Fcp euro has the liquid moly 1800 trans fluid that I have been using for several years with great success and it's pretty cheap or free with lifetime warranty.

 

[svtrit]

I run valvoline max atf in mine .......did a full pan replacement at 75,000 and every spring I suck out 1 gallon and replace, then do the fluid check procedure ........ I make sure the PAN is perfectly level when checking .....jack back wheels up until PAN is level ...DOES NOT SIT LEVEL WITH WHEELS ON GROUND OR ON LIFT

I’m strongly considering going this route on my 2020 Wrangler. Still nervous, but a year out from doing it so I can see how it’s working out for longevity. It has worked great in other cars, like our VW New Beetle.

 

[jeepman3071]

I’m strongly considering going this route on my 2020 Wrangler. Still nervous, but a year out from doing it so I can see how it’s working out for longevity. It has worked great in other cars, like our VW New Beetle.

I did the change on my dad's 2020 GC 5.7L/ZF8 at 60k miles with MaxLife ATF. It has over 80k on it now and still shifting nice and smooth.

I'll probably do the same thing when my 2019 hits 60k.

 

[BMW Dom]

I saw this on Instagram, not sure if it is legit??

 

[4WD]

Anyone know the micron rating of OEM filters (8 speed)?

 

[edyvw]

I’m strongly considering going this route on my 2020 Wrangler. Still nervous, but a year out from doing it so I can see how it’s working out for longevity. It has worked great in other cars, like our VW New Beetle.

ZF8 fluid is better for sure, as it is fluid made specifically for that transmission, but Maxlife is used by BMW owners for the last 20 years in ZF6 and ZF8. Never heard of problems. Though, those people are usually the ones changing fluid more frequently.

 

[kitchbow]

I've used the maxlife fluid in my ram 72k then fluid change at 100k and will do at 120k. I suck the fluid out through fill hole and jack front of truck up to get 5qts and refill ..............thinking about a ppe pan ...we'll see

 

[Marcozi]

@edyvw - agree (no such thing as a lifetime fill--unless "lifetime" means until it fails).

Corollary: "Lifetime fluids" is a marketing ploy, not a maintenance philosophy.

 

[SEBZX79]

I would stick with the ZF Lifeguard fluid. I’m personally not fully confident in some of testing being done by additive suppliers; I’ve been burned before, though not for this particular application.

Been using LM Tec1800 from fcpeuro in two of my BMWs with great results. (7bucks a qt)