1994 BMW 325i Drive fluid

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION



240-1

240
Automatic
Transmission

GENERAL
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
.
240-1



TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND

INSTALLATION
..................
.
.
.
.
.240-4
TRANSMISSION
SERVICE
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
240-1



Transmission,
removing
and
installing
....
.
.
.240-4

ATF
leve¡,
checking
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
240-1

ATF,
draining
and
filling
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
240-2



TABLE

a
.
Automatic
Transmission
Gear
Ratios
.......
..
.
.
240-1

GENERAL



TRANSMISSION
SERVICE



lo

Automatic
transmissions
are
identified
by
code
letters



ATF
leve¡,
checking

foundon
a
data
plate
located
on
the
sideof
thetransmission

case,
behind
the
manual
valve
lever
.
See
200Transmis-



The
automatic
transmissions
installed
in
the
E36
models
sion-General
for
application
information
.
Forgear
ratio
spec-



are
normally
filled
with
Dexron
III
automatic
transmission
fluid

ifications,
see
Table
a
.



(ATF),
although
alternative
fluids
have
been
installed
from
the

factory,
depending
on
transmission
type
and
model
year
.

CAUTION-



Some
transmíssions
are
filled
with
a
special
BMW
"lifetime"

ATF
does
not
circulate
unless
the
engine
is
run-



automatic
transmission
fluid,
which
does
not
require
periodic

ning
.
When
towing
an
automafic
transmission
ve-



fluid
changes
.

hicle,
usea
flat-bed
truck
or
ralse
the
rear
wheels
off
the
ground
.



CAUTION-

Mixing
different
types
of
transmission
fluids
will

The
electronic
transmission
control
module
(TCM)
monitors



lead
to
transmission
failure
.

transmissionoperation
for
faults
and
alerts
the
driver
by
illumi-

nating
the
transmission
fault
indicator
on
the
instrument
pan-

el
.
On-board
diagnostic
codes
stored
in
the
TCM
mustbe



NOTE-

downloaded
and
interpreted
by
trained
technicians
using
spe-



The
transmission
lubricant
instafed
can
be
foundona

cial
BMW
diagnostic
equipment
.



type
plate
on
the
side
of
the
transmission
.
In
addition,
a
sticker
may
be
located
on
the
fluid
sump
indicatingthe
typeof
transmission
lubricant
used
.
Ifin
doubt,
con

NOTE-



sult
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
for
altemate
fluid
use

Internal
repairs
to
the
automatic
transmission
require



and
current
information
regardingtransmission
operat-
special
service
equipment
and
knowledge
.
If
it
is
deter-



ing
fluids
.

mined
thatinterna¡
service
is
required,
consult
en
au-

thorízedBMWdealerabouta
factoryreconditioned
unit



The
transmission
is
not
equipped
with
a
dipstick
.
Checking
or
a
transmission
rebuild
.



the
ATF
leve¡
requires
measuring
and
maintaining
a
specified

ATF
temperature
during
the
checking
procedure
.
The
check-

ing
temperature
is
not
fully
warm
orcold
(the
ATF
sump

should
be
approximately
warm
to
the
touch)
.

Table
a
.
Automatic
Transmission
Gear
Ratios

Transmission



MS
310R
(THM-R1)



MS
310R
(THM-Rl)



MS
310Z(5HP
18)



I



MS
270R
(THM-R1)
(1992-1993)(1993-on)

Gear
ratios
:
1st



2
.40



2
.86



3
.67



2
.86

2nd



1
.47



1
.62



2
.00



1
.62
3rd



1
.00



1
.00



1.41



1
.00
4th



0
.72



0
.72



1
.00



0
.72
5th



-



-



0
.74



-
Reverse



2
.00



2
.00



4
.10



2
.00

TRANSMISSIONSERVICE

240-2



AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION

WARNING
-

If
the
appropriate
temperature
measuring
equip-
ment
is
not
available,
ATF
leve¡
checking
shouldbe
left
to
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
The
checking
pro-
cedure
should
be
done
on
a
lift
with
the
engine
run-
ning
in
neutral
.
In
addition,
the
transmission
fluid
temperature
must
be
maintained
within
a
narrow
range
duringthe
checking
procedure
.

1
.
Place
vehicle
on
a
lift
.

WARNING
-

To
lift
the
vehicle
safely,
see
010
Fundamentals
for
the
Do-it-Yourself
Owner
.

2
.
Warm
up
drivetrain
by
running
engine
until
ATF
reach-

es
specified
temperature
.
Apply
brake
and,
while
idling
engine,
shift
through
all
gears
severa¡
times
.
Turn
en-
gine
off
.

ATF
Level
Checking

"
Fluid
temperature
..
...........
30-55°C
(86-131°F)

3
.
Remove
ATF
fill
plug
.
Place
transmission
in
neutral
and



ATF,draining
and
filling
restart
engine
.
See
Fig
.
1
or
Fig
.
2
.

Fig
.
1
.



ATF
fill
plug
(A)
on
MS
270R/A4S310R
transmissions
.

4
.
With
ATF
at
specified
temperature,
add
(luid
until
it
spilis
from
fill
hole
.

WARNING
-

HotATFcan
scald
.
Weareye
protection
and
protec-
tive
clothing
and
gloves
duringthe
check
.
If
thetransmission
was
overfilled,
hot
ATF
will
spill
from
the
filler
hole
when
the
fill
plug
is
removed
.

5
.
Reinstall
fill
plug
using
new
sealing
ring
.

TRANSMISSION
SERVICE

011743

0011742

Fig
.
2
.



ATF
drain
plug
(A)
and
fill
plug
(B)
on
A5S
310Z
transmission
.

Tightening
Torques

"
ATF
fill
plug
to
ATF
sump

MS
270R/A4S
31
OR
.............
33
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)
MS
310Z
(M30
plug)
............
100
Nm
(74
ft-Ib)

The
procedure
given
here
includes
removal
and
installation

of
the
ATF
(luid
strainer
(filter)
.

1
.
Remove
drain
plug
and
drain
fluidinto
container
.
See
Fig
.
3
or
Fig
.
2
given
earlier
.

0~
0

/\1--Z
.IZ
~
~

A



~
"o



15/

Fig
.
3
.



ATF
drain
plug
(A)
on
A4S
270R/A4S
310R
.

WARNING
-

The
ATF
must
not
be
hot
when
draining
.
Do
not
drain
the
ATF
if
the
engineandlor
transmission
Is
hot
.
Hot
ATF
can
scald
.
Wear
eye
protection,
pro-
tective
clothing
and
gloves
.

0011595

240-
4



AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION
REMOVALAND

INSTALLATION

Removal
and
installation
of
thetransmission
is
best
accom-

plished
on
a
lift
using
a
transmission
jack
.
Use
caution
and

safe
workshop
practices
when
working
beneath
car
and
low-

ering
transmission
.

WARNING
-

To
lift
the
vehicle
safely,
see010
Fundamentals
for
the
Do-it-Yourself
Owner
.

CAUTION-

"
Be
sure
the
vehicle
is
properly
supported
.
The
removal
of
the
transmission
may
upset
the
bal-
ance
of
the
vehicle
on
a
lift
.

"
Tilting
the
engine
to
remove
the
transmission
can
lead
to
damage
to
various
components
due
to

lack
of
clearance
.
-On
carswith
AST
remove
throttle
body
.
-Remove
brake
fluid
reservoir
if
necessary
.

Torx-head
bolts
are
used
to
mount
thetransmission
to
the

bellhousing
.
Be
sure
to
have
appropriate
tools
on
hand
before

starting
thejob
.

2
.
Install
engine
support
across
engine
bay
.
Raise
and

safely
support
vehicle
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

WARNING
-
"
When
raising
thecar
using
a
floor
jack
or
a
hy-
draulic
lift,
carefully
position
the
jack
pad
to
pre-
vent
damaging
the
car
body
.
A
suitable
liner
(wood,
rubber,
etc
.)
should
be
placed
between
the
jack
and
the
car
to
prevent
body
damage
.

"
Watch
the
jack
closely
.
Make
sure
it
stays
stable
and
does
not
shift
or
tilt
.
As
the
car
is
raised,
the
car
may
roll
slightty
and
the
jack
may
shift
.

CAUTION-

Removal
of
transmission
will
cause
engine
to
tip
unlessengine
support
is
used
.

TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND
INSTALLATION

Fig
.
6
.
Engine
support
equipment
used
to
support
engine
from
above

before
removing
transmission
.

3
.
Raise
vehicle
to
gain
access
to
underside
of
car
.

4
.
Drain
ATF
from
transmission
as
described
earlier
.

5
.
Disconnect
oxygen
sensor
harness
.
Remove
exhaust

system,
and
exhaust
heat
shield
.
See
180
Exhaust

System
.

Transmission,
removing
and
installing



6
.
Remove
driveshaft
.
See
260
Driveshaft
.

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.



7
.
With
selector
lever
in
Park,
disconnect
shift
selector
le-

ver
cable
from
lever
and
remove
cable
bracket
.
Hold

CA
UTION-



linkage
clamping
bolt
stationary
when
loosening

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery



clamping
nut
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
vi¡¡
.

Fig
.
7
.



Selector
lever
cable
clamping
nut
(A)
.
Loosen
cable
clamping
nut
(B)
and
remove
cable
from
bracket
.
Always
counterholdclamping
bolt
when
loosening
nut
.

240-
6



AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION

14
.
Remove
transmission
by
pulling
back
and
down
.
Lower

jack
to
allow
transmission
to
clear
vehicle
.



Tightening
Torques

"
ATF
drain
plug
to
ATF
sump

CA
UTION-



MS
270R/A4S
310R
....
..
....
.
..
25
Nm
(18
ft-Ib)

Do
not
allow
the
torque
converter
to
fati
off
the



ASS
310Z(M10
plug)
..
..
..
.
.
..
.
..
16
Nm
(12
ft-Ib)

transmission
inputshaft
.



"
ATF
fill
plug
to
ATF
sump

MS
270R/A4S
310R
..
..
....
..
..
.
33
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)

15
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the
following
:



MS
310Z(M30
plug)
......
.
.
..
.
.
100
Nm
(74
ft-Ib)

"Blowoutofcoolerlineswithlow-pressurecompressed



"
ATF
cooler
lines
(A4S
270R/A4S
310R)

air
and
flush
coolerwith
clean
ATF
twice
before
reat-



Coupling
nuts
............
.
.
..
..
.
20
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)

taching
lines
to
transmission
.



Hollow
bolts
.........
.
.....
..
..
.
37
Nm
(28
ft-Ib)

"
Reinforcing
cross
brace

CAUTION-



to
chassis
(M10)
.............
.
..
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

"
Wear
safety
glasses
when
working
with
com-



"
Torque
converter

pressedair
.



to
driveplate
(M10)
.........
..
.
..
45
Nm
(33
ft-Ib)

"
Transmissionsupport
crossmember
to
chassis

"
Do
not
reuse
ATF
after
flushing
.



M8
......................
22-24
Nm
(16-17
ft-1b)

M10
................
.
....
..
.
..
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

"
Install
new
sealing
washers
on
hollow
bolts
.



"
Transmissíon
to
engine
(Torx-head
with
washer)

"
Insta¡¡
new
O-rings
on
transmission
cooler
lines,
where



M8
......................
..
.
..
21
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)

applicable
.



M10
.....................
..
..
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

"
Inspect
driveplate
for
cracks
or
elongatedholes
.
Re-



M12
................
.
....
..
.
..
72
Nm
(53ft-Ib)

place
if
necessary
.

"
Check
to
be
sure
torque
converter
is
seated
correctly

in
transmission
during
final
installation
.

"
When
mounting
transmission
to
engine,
the
three

mounting
tabs
on
torque
converter
must
be
aligned

with
indentations
on
driveplate
.
Use
an
alignment

dowel
to
line
up
bolt
holes,
if
necessary
.
"
Fill
transmission
with
clean
ATF
until
oil
leve¡
is
even
with
fill
hole
.
Then
check
fluid
leve¡
as
described
ear-
lier
.

"
Adjust
gearshift
mechanism
.
See
250
Gearshift
link-

age
.

NOTE-

Torx-head
mounting
bolts
shouldalwaysbe
used
with
washers
to
prevent
difficult
removal
.

TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND
INSTALLATION

250-2



GEARSHIFT
LINKAGE

5
.
Remove
driveshaft
.
See260
Driveshaft
.



9
.
Release
gearshift
lever
retaining
ring
from
below
by

turningspecial
tool
90°(
1
/4
turn)
counterclockwise
.
See

6
.
Support
transmission
with
transmission
jack
.
Remove



Fig
.
4
.

crossmember
from
rear
of
transmission
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

Fig
.
2
.



Rear
transmission
crossmember
(arrow)
.

7
.
Lower
rear
of
transmission
to
access
gearshift
linkage
.

CAUTION-

Tilting
the
engine
to
lower
thetransmission
can
lead
to
damage
to
various
componente
due
to
lackof
clearance
.
-On
cars
with
AST
remove
throttle
body
.
-Remove
brake
fluid
reservoir
if
necessary
.

0013135

8
.
Working
below
transmission,
disconnect
shift
rod
from

gearshift
lever
.
Note
washers
on
either
side
of
shift
rod

end
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

v

clip

Shift
rod

Fig
.
3
.



Pull
off
shift
rod
retaining
clip
in
direction
of
arrow
(t)
;
disen-
gage
shift
rod
from
gearshift
lever
(2)
.

MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
GEARSHIFT

BMW
Tool
No
.
25
1
110
orequivalent

Fig
.
4
.



Shift
lever
retaining
ring
being
removed
using
BMW
special

tool
25
1
110
.

10
.
Raise
transmission
and
temporarily
instan
transmission

crossmember
.

11
.
Lower
vehicle
.
Working
from
inside
passengercom-

partment,
pull
upon
gearshift
lever
to
remove
it
togeth-

erwith
retaining
ring
and
rubber
grommet
.

Gearshift
lever,
installing

(manual
transmission)

6532

1
.
Instan
shift
lever,
aligninglocking
tabs
with
openings
in

shift
console
.
Press
down
on
retaining
ring
until
it
clicks
into
place
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

\
Retaining

Fig
.
5
.



Shift
lever
retaining
ring
.
Fit
plastic
tabs
into
slots
of
shift
con-
sole(arrows)
.

320-2



STEERING
AND
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT

3
.
Carefully
remove
airbag
from
front
of
steering
wheel
.

See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.
Store
airbag
unit
in
a

safe
place
.

WARNING-

Improper
handling
of
theaírbag
could
cause
seri-
ous
ínjury
.
Store
theaírbag
with
the
horn
pad
facing
up
.
If
stored
facing
down,
accidental
deployment
could
propel
it
vlolently
into
the
air,
causíng
ínjury
.

4
.
Remove
steering
wheel
center
bolt
.
Lightly
punch
mark

or
scribe
position
of
steering
wheel
to
steering
column

shaft
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

0012687
Fig
.
1
.
Steering
wheel
center
bolt
(arrow)
.



Power
steering
pump,

removing
and
installing

POWER
STEERING
SYSTEM

5
.
Unlock
steering
wheel
by
turning
ignition
key
on
.
Re-
move
steering
wheel
.

WARNING-

The
SRS
contact
reel
ís
mounted
to
the
rear
of
the
steering
wheel
hub
.
The
contact
reel
ís
a
wound
coil
ofwirethat
ensures
continuous
electrícal
contact
for
the
air
bag
unit
Once
the
steering
wheel
mounting
nut
or
bolt
is
removed
the
contact
reel
is
locked
in
the
center
position
and
its
position
must
not
be
al-
tered
.

6
.
Insta¡¡
steering
wheel
while
aligning
matching
marks
.
Make
sure
airbag
contact
ring
locking
pin
engages
cutout
in
contact
reel
.
Insta¡¡
steering
column
center
nut
.
Do
not
over-torque
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

7
.
The
remainder
ofinstallation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Carefully
install
airbag
from
front
of
steering
wheel
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Steering
wheel
to
steering
column
spindle
...
..
..
.
..........
63
Nm
(46
ft-Ib)

Fig
.
2
.



Insta¡¡
steering
wheel
so
that
locking
pin
in
column
aligns
with
cutout
in
contact
reel
(arrow)
.
Contact
reel
on
late
model
steering
wheel
may
vary
from
that
shown
.

POWER
STEERING
SYSTEM

Power
assist
is
províded
by
a
belt-driven
pump
on
the
lower

left
front
of
the
engine,
just
below
the
alternator
.
The
power

steering
fluid
resenroir
is
located
on
the
lower
left
front
of
the
engine
.

1
.
Empty
power
steering
fluid
reservoir
usingclean
sy-

ringe
.
Do
not
reuse
fluid
.

2
.
Raise
front
of
car
.

WARNING

Make
sure
thecar
is
firmly
supportedon
jack
stands
designed
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
stands
be-
neatha
structural
chassis
point
.
Do
not
place
jack
stands
undersuspension
parts
.

3
.
Remove
fluid
hoses
frbm
pump
.
Plug
openings
in
pump
and
in
hose
ends
.

4
.
Remove
drive
belt
from
power
steering
pump
.
See
020
Maintenance
Program
.

5
.
Remove
pump
mounting
bolts
and
remove
pump
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

GENERAL
......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
331-1



Final
Drive
Oil
Seals



.
.
...
.
.
.
.......
.
.
.
.
.
331-1

Finaldrive
flange
oil
sea¡,
replacing
....
.
.
.
..
331-2

FINAL
DRIVE
SERVICE
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
331-1



Finaldrive
inputshaft
oil
seal,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
331-3

Final
drive
oí¡,
draining
and
filling
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
331-1



Finaldrive
unit,
removíng
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
331-3

GENERAL

This
repa¡r
group
covers
repair
operations
that
do
not
re-

quire
complicated
disassembly
of
the
final
drive
.
Internal
re-

pairs
and
final
drive
disassembly
are
not
covered
in
this

manual
.

FINAL
DRIVE
SERVICE

Al¡
final
drive
work
requires
some
method
of
raising
thecar

and
supporting
it
securely
while
the
work
is
performed
.
Jack

stands
and
a
floor
jack
can
easily
be
used,
but
use
extreme

caution
when
working
beneath
the
car
.
See010
Fundamen-

tais
for
the
Do-It-Yourself
Owner
.

NOTE-

Removal
of
final
drive
carrier
is
covered
in
330
Rear
Suspension
.

Final
drive
oil,
draining
and
filling

1
.
Drive
car
to
warm
final
drive
fluid
.

2
.
Raise
car
and
support
safely
.

WARNING
-

Make
sure
that
thecar
is
firmly
supported
on
jack
standsdesigned
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
standsbeneatha
structural
chassis
point
.
Do
not
place
jack
stands
under
suspension
parts
.

5
.
Fill
final
drive
with
appropriate
type
and
quantity
of
lu-

bricant
.
Insta¡¡
and
tighten
fill
plug
.

331
Final
Drive

0

Fig
.
1
.



Final
drivedrain
plug
(A)
and
fill
plug
(B)
.

D

NOTE-

The
final
drive
fluid
level
is
correct
when
the
fluid
begins
to
spill
from
the
fill
plug
.

Final
Drive
Oil
Seals

FINAL
DRIVE



331-1

0013113

Final
DriveDrain
and
Fill

"
Oil
specifications

w/o
limited
slip



.
.......
BMW
SAF-XO
Synthetic
Oil

with
limited
slip
.
......
BMW
SAF-XIS
Synthetic
Oil

"
Final
drive
oil
capacity

4-cylinder
.
.
.
...
................
1
.1
liters
(1
.2
qt)

6-cylinder
.
.
.
...
................
1
.7liters(1.8
qt)

3
.
Place
a
drain
pail
below
final
drive
andremove
drain

and
fill
plugfrom
final
drive
.
See
Fig
.
1
.



Low
oil
level
caused
by
faulty
oil
seals
may
be
the
cause
of

noisy
final
drive
operation
or
limited-slip
chatter
.
The
drive

NOTE-



flange
(side)
and
inputshaft
(front)
oil
seals
can
be
replaced

"
Use
a14
mm
alíen
bit
socket
to
remove
the
drain
plug
.



while
the
final
drive
is
installed
.

Alternatively,
cut
approximately
30
mm
(1
.2
in)
from

an
alíen
key
and
usea
box
end
wrenchon
the
key



NOTE-
stub
.
Do
not
mistake
leaking
CV
joints
for
flangeseal
leaks
.

4
.
Install
and
tighten
drain
plug
.



It
may
be
helpful
to
degrease
the
final
drive
to
pinpoint
the
source
of
the
leak
prior
to
replacing
seals
.

FINAL
DRIVE
SERVICE

331-2



FINAL
DRIVE

Make
sure
that
the
car
is
firm1y
supportedon
Tjack

.
.-



"
:
.-



:
.
n



-

2
.
Detach
drive
axle(s)
from
final
drive
.
See330
Rear

Suspension
.

CA
UTION-

Suspend
the
detached
drive
axlefrom
the
car
body
with
a
stiff
wire
hook
to
prevent
damage
to
the
outer
CV
joint
.

Fig
.
3
.



Drive
flange
snap
ring
(arrow)
to
be
removed
from
final
drive

3
.
Pry
drive
flange
from
final
drive
.
See
Fig
.
2
.



housing
.

Fig
.
2
.



Drive
flange
being
pried
off
.
For
leverage,
use
a
wooden
dowel
as
shown
.

4
.
Remove
wire(snap)
ring
from
final
drive
opening
.
See

Fig
.
3
.

NOTE-

Inspect
flangeat
the
point
where
the
oil
seal
rides
on
the
shaft
.
Replace
the
flange
assembly
if
there
is
agrooveworn
in
the
shaft

FINAL
DRIVE
SERVICE

9
.
Attach
drive
axle
and
tighten
bolts
.

10
.
Top
off
final
drive
with
ofl
.

B315

5
.
Pry
old
oil
sea¡
from
its
recess
using
a
hooked
seal
re-

moval
tool,
or
a
large
screwdriver
.
Use
pan
to
catch

draining
fluid
.

CA
UTION-

Be
careful
not
to
mar
the
final
drive
housing
when
removing
the
sea¡
.

6
.
Dip
new
seal
in
final
drive
lubricant
and
drive
seal
into

place
untilfully
seated
.

7
.
Insta¡¡
new
snap
ringin
groove
of
final
drive
housing
.

Make
sureboth
ends
ofring
are
fully
seated
in
groove
.

8
.
Insta¡¡
drive
flangeby
pressing
it
in
by
hand
until
snap
ring
engages
.
It
may
benecessary
to
turn
drive
flange

slightly
while
pushing
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Drive
axle
to
final
drive
flange

M8
Torx
bolt
..
..................
64
Nm
(47
ft-Ib)

M10
Torx
bolt
.
.................
100
Nm
(74
ft-Ib)