I think BMW is a lot like apple where they don't want anyone else to touch their stuff. Thanks for taking the time to figure out this procedure and explain to us how we can do it on our own successfully.
The main reason you should reset this through ista (or ask your dealer to) is that the friction modifiers change as the fluid wears and the controller for the diff compensates. This should be done each time the fluid is replaced.
Good video and I like your opinion on dealers and the tricks they play 😉 For anyone experiencing hesitation that almost feels like a misfire but with no codes present and tried plugs or coils it’s probably dirty transfer oil like this, I’ve had a lot of x drive vehicles from f30 to x5 x6 with this issue with as little as 30k on them, sometimes made worse when new tires have been fitted or at least more noticeable, transfer flush and re adapt via diagnostic then a quick drive and all is smooth again, crazy that these problems arise after so little miles.
My f10 535 is doing this, right after i had the oil pan gasket and valve cover gasket done, it had jerking before shifting 1,2,3 in drive but then started shuddering like crazy, took it straight to bmw, they're saying its the trasfer case needs to be replaced.
Were you having any issues up to this point or were you being preventative? I’ll be doing this soon with my F25 X3 but it’s been exhibiting some acceleration hiccups. Hoping the new fluid will solve these issues. Thanks for the upload!
Scott L have about 99k. I’ll probably be doing transmission fluid and filter change at some point this year as well. I’ve seen issues with these transfer cases shearing the output shaft teeth but I’m hoping that’s just a worst case scenario. Also, was going to change the fluid just once but based on your conclusions I’ll be doing the same where I’ll run new fluid in short cycles to make sure the new fluid cleans out most of the intervals.
Scott L reporting back a few days later after changing. Amazing. The transfer fluid change alleviated all my issues. Liquid gold! Such a bummer the F30s don’t have a drain plug. Was pleasantly surprised to see drain plug on the F25
So I could see the clutch thing being a problem because the the clutch uses the fluid to work. It knows how how hard to press and depress biased on the viscosity of the fluid since it’s electronic. NOT SAYING THIS IS 100% TRUE, THAT WAS JUST MY PERSONAL THOUGHT PROCESS
Hi, I've seen your video, both of you, but I don't speak English, I'm doing this with the google translator. To say that it has helped me a lot, how to change the oil in the transfer case of my bmw f31 (2015) 320d xdrive. (I'm from Spain). But there are some questions I have read in the questions, which says they are explained in the video, but I do not understand English. One of them is the amount of Ravenol that has entered the box. I have put the car level, and when I opened the plug, enough oil came out, I should not leave if that is the filling level, but it came out, and I don't know how much. I know, then take out about 200ml of oil. Therefore when filling the box try to fill with 500ml of ravenol oil, for that I had to lift the car on that side so that they could enter, if not, only 200ml of new oil could fit. I can't find the exact amount of oil carried by the transfer case anywhere. And the other question is, something I have read about resetting the transfer case by changing the oil ... is that true? ... I don't know how ... if I have done it by changing the oil to the gearbox. Sorry for so much writing ... greetings and thank you very much for your contribution ...
and how did you perform an oil reset on the tc? after a while it will raise error 440102 - oil wear, I changed and flushed the oil twice, the error is still there... ISTA and Carly couldnt delete the error. My car-> x3 f25
Just wondering about the tc clutch reset procedure and if it is actually mandatory requirement after changing fluid? I am gonna be doing the clutch on my f30 335i xdrive soon and might as well do the tc fluid but I don’t have ista or foxwell scanner to do the reset. Last thing I need is for any code coming up because of a fluid change!
Seriously... fuck that. Fuck the amount of work you had to do just to change the transfer case fluid, when all they had to do was include a drain plug.
good, and thanks for this video, you solved me a big problem.I have a bmw x3 20d, but the force divider has that front bracket and did not know how to change the oil. thanks 1000!
Im so glad you did a video on this, ive been trying to figure out why my car has a slight jerk under hard acceleration. im thinking that the fluid in the transfer case is going bad and is allowing the clutch to slip under certain circumstances, Do you think that could possibly be the case? I have no lights on the dash and the car drives great otherwise, only other minor thing i could say is that when you come to a near stop and go to take off again, the car has a slight jerk similar to having bad cv joint on the driveshaft in my opinion. BMW does have a recall theyre about to put out for bad cv joints on the rear transfer case but im thinking its the clutch slipping because the vibration seems to be almost boost related, as if the blow off valve is making minor on the fly adjustments to keep boost at max but not overboost.
Marginal Mechanic I really appreciate the tips. I plan to change the transmission filter and fluid and also vacuum out the transfer case fluid and replace with new fluid. Is there any special procedure that you have to follow on the transmission filter and fluid change? Typically I replace those items, pull the e brake, start the car, let it idle for a bit, then run it through each gear while stationary, park, reverse, neutral, drive, reverse, neutral, drive, reverse neutral, drive. I allow it to sit in each gear for a few seconds with the e brake Holding the car then take for a short drive. This would be sufficient for this car as well I’d assume?
@@adamnowak1414 there is a recall on the transfer case and the cv joints on either side of the transfer case. Bmw will replace it for free under the recall if you go have them inspect the car.
@@themarginalmechanic5928 I'm interested to know how much oil you got out by tipping it to the side? I jacked mine up well at the front as I've only one jack and could only get about 350ml out ffs.
@@themarginalmechanic5928 thanks for the reply. I'm sorry I was under the impression you made the tool used in the video. I don't have the tool to bend cable but I figured with a flexible tube on my extractor I could do this project
Another mythical lifetime fluid! My 2013 F30 transfer case has started making noise @88k miles and I think I should just do this and hope it’s not too late. I had a major heater core job recently because BMW also thinks coolant is a lifetime fluid. Anyone here care to contribute a list of what BMW thinks are lifetime fluids? I feel I’m discovering them one at a time!! Maybe a good discussion for a new video.
in my repair manual. Some lifetime fluids still have a recommended service interval. I did the transmission fluid and the manual states lifetime but recommends changing after 100,000 miles. That fluid still looked great when it came out. The diffs and transfer case also state lifetime in the manual with NO associated mile markers. Both diffs came out dark brown but definitely not black, still changed them anyways. Next job is to change the TC fluid.
I’ve got a 2014 bmw 435d xdrive. Currently my xdrive is not functional. Permanent traction light on the dash. The error code i have is: 440101 Transfer Box (VTG): End of transmission service life reached. I don’t suppose replacing the oil will help, but do you think I can replace just the transfer case actuator/motor or will the complete transfer case require replacement? Have searched online endlessly without any answers. Any input would be very much appreciated
I'm pretty sure that error message indicates that the clutch material inside the transfer case or power diverter is it end of life. Personally I would buy a remanufactured power diverter and install it as an entire sealed unit. I would not rebuild it myself. Manly because I have no idea how to and I imagine there's some special tools and it's just not a headache I would want for myself. Remember I'm only a marginal mechanic I'm not a professional mechanic so everything I say is likely to be wrong
Wow. Absolutely the best job I have ever seen shy of taking the case out and dumping it. Just wow.
I think BMW is a lot like apple where they don't want anyone else to touch their stuff. Thanks for taking the time to figure out this procedure and explain to us how we can do it on our own successfully.
The main reason you should reset this through ista (or ask your dealer to) is that the friction modifiers change as the fluid wears and the controller for the diff compensates.
This should be done each time the fluid is replaced.
Good video and I like your opinion on dealers and the tricks they play 😉
For anyone experiencing hesitation that almost feels like a misfire but with no codes present and tried plugs or coils it’s probably dirty transfer oil like this, I’ve had a lot of x drive vehicles from f30 to x5 x6 with this issue with as little as 30k on them, sometimes made worse when new tires have been fitted or at least more noticeable, transfer flush and re adapt via diagnostic then a quick drive and all is smooth again, crazy that these problems arise after so little miles.
My f10 535 is doing this, right after i had the oil pan gasket and valve cover gasket done, it had jerking before shifting 1,2,3 in drive but then started shuddering like crazy, took it straight to bmw, they're saying its the trasfer case needs to be replaced.
BMW engineers are completely dumb to remove the drainplug
they are clever..... Things are engineered to last exactly long how they want to keep buying new
Were you having any issues up to this point or were you being preventative? I’ll be doing this soon with my F25 X3 but it’s been exhibiting some acceleration hiccups. Hoping the new fluid will solve these issues. Thanks for the upload!
Scott L have about 99k. I’ll probably be doing transmission fluid and filter change at some point this year as well. I’ve seen issues with these transfer cases shearing the output shaft teeth but I’m hoping that’s just a worst case scenario. Also, was going to change the fluid just once but based on your conclusions I’ll be doing the same where I’ll run new fluid in short cycles to make sure the new fluid cleans out most of the intervals.
Internals*
Scott L reporting back a few days later after changing. Amazing. The transfer fluid change alleviated all my issues. Liquid gold! Such a bummer the F30s don’t have a drain plug. Was pleasantly surprised to see drain plug on the F25
So I could see the clutch thing being a problem because the the clutch uses the fluid to work. It knows how how hard to press and depress biased on the viscosity of the fluid since it’s electronic.
NOT SAYING THIS IS 100% TRUE, THAT WAS JUST MY PERSONAL THOUGHT PROCESS
Lmao loved when he started to unscrew nothing. Did adaptations need to be reset?
Hi, I've seen your video, both of you, but I don't speak English, I'm doing this with the google translator.
To say that it has helped me a lot, how to change the oil in the transfer case of my bmw f31 (2015) 320d xdrive. (I'm from Spain).
But there are some questions I have read in the questions, which says they are explained in the video, but I do not understand English.
One of them is the amount of Ravenol that has entered the box. I have put the car level, and when I opened the plug, enough oil came out, I should not leave if that is the filling level, but it came out, and I don't know how much. I know, then take out about 200ml of oil. Therefore when filling the box try to fill with 500ml of ravenol oil, for that I had to lift the car on that side so that they could enter, if not, only 200ml of new oil could fit. I can't find the exact amount of oil carried by the transfer case anywhere.
And the other question is, something I have read about resetting the transfer case by changing the oil ... is that true? ... I don't know how ... if I have done it by changing the oil to the gearbox.
Sorry for so much writing ... greetings and thank you very much for your contribution ...
@@themarginalmechanic5928 Thanks a lot...
and how did you perform an oil reset on the tc? after a while it will raise error 440102 - oil wear, I changed and flushed the oil twice, the error is still there... ISTA and Carly couldnt delete the error. My car-> x3 f25
Just wondering about the tc clutch reset procedure and if it is actually mandatory requirement after changing fluid? I am gonna be doing the clutch on my f30 335i xdrive soon and might as well do the tc fluid but I don’t have ista or foxwell scanner to do the reset. Last thing I need is for any code coming up because of a fluid change!
Seriously... fuck that. Fuck the amount of work you had to do just to change the transfer case fluid, when all they had to do was include a drain plug.
Life saver! Thanks!
Sweet vid!!! Thanks!
good, and thanks for this video, you solved me a big problem.I have a bmw x3 20d, but the force divider has that front bracket and did not know how to change the oil. thanks 1000!
great video! very useful. Also a good video for this is the one on FCP euro's CZcams
Im so glad you did a video on this, ive been trying to figure out why my car has a slight jerk under hard acceleration. im thinking that the fluid in the transfer case is going bad and is allowing the clutch to slip under certain circumstances, Do you think that could possibly be the case? I have no lights on the dash and the car drives great otherwise, only other minor thing i could say is that when you come to a near stop and go to take off again, the car has a slight jerk similar to having bad cv joint on the driveshaft in my opinion. BMW does have a recall theyre about to put out for bad cv joints on the rear transfer case but im thinking its the clutch slipping because the vibration seems to be almost boost related, as if the blow off valve is making minor on the fly adjustments to keep boost at max but not overboost.
Marginal Mechanic I really appreciate the tips. I plan to change the transmission filter and fluid and also vacuum out the transfer case fluid and replace with new fluid. Is there any special procedure that you have to follow on the transmission filter and fluid change? Typically I replace those items, pull the e brake, start the car, let it idle for a bit, then run it through each gear while stationary, park, reverse, neutral, drive, reverse, neutral, drive, reverse neutral, drive. I allow it to sit in each gear for a few seconds with the e brake Holding the car then take for a short drive. This would be sufficient for this car as well I’d assume?
Marginal Mechanic if I were close by I’d definitely bring it over to shoot a video and do the work. But I live all the way in Panama City Florida
Hi there
Can you please tell me ae you fix the problem? That sounds like my problem i have the same symptoms
That was transfer case? Thank you
@@adamnowak1414 there is a recall on the transfer case and the cv joints on either side of the transfer case. Bmw will replace it for free under the recall if you go have them inspect the car.
@@adamnowak1414 the car will start feeling clunky as hell when the transfer case starts to fail.
Also, how many litres of that ravenol tc fluid is required?
Usually around 700 ml
16 euros a Liter here, German cars are "domestics" here 😊
Any idea of the thread size on the filler plug? I was looking to replace mine with a dimple magnetic one.
@@themarginalmechanic5928 I'm interested to know how much oil you got out by tipping it to the side? I jacked mine up well at the front as I've only one jack and could only get about 350ml out ffs.
@@themarginalmechanic5928 shop.motorsport-developments.co.uk/m22-x-15-x-9mm-magnetic-oil-sump-drain-plug-350-p.asp
That's the plug for 2016 335d xdrive transfer case. Ive just fitted one.
That bolt head is called an EXTERNAL TORX.
Thanks
Awesome video, has anyone done this with a fluid extractor?
@@themarginalmechanic5928 thanks for the reply. I'm sorry I was under the impression you made the tool used in the video. I don't have the tool to bend cable but I figured with a flexible tube on my extractor I could do this project
Hey what torque is specified for the drain/fill plug?? Thanks!!
Also did you have to reset adaptions??
How long has that transfer case lasted ya ?
I mean with none bmw fluid
would you happen to DIY vid for front/rear diffs?
There are thousands of videos on how to do the differential so I'm not going to do one
Another mythical lifetime fluid! My 2013 F30 transfer case has started making noise @88k miles and I think I should just do this and hope it’s not too late. I had a major heater core job recently because BMW also thinks coolant is a lifetime fluid. Anyone here care to contribute a list of what BMW thinks are lifetime fluids? I feel I’m discovering them one at a time!! Maybe a good discussion for a new video.
in my repair manual. Some lifetime fluids still have a recommended service interval. I did the transmission fluid and the manual states lifetime but recommends changing after 100,000 miles. That fluid still looked great when it came out. The diffs and transfer case also state lifetime in the manual with NO associated mile markers. Both diffs came out dark brown but definitely not black, still changed them anyways. Next job is to change the TC fluid.
How involved can it be? It takes 15min to do.😝
Whatever you do. Don't watch the video to find out how involved it is. Just assume that it's a piece of cake.
@@themarginalmechanic5928 Be unafraid, you've got this. Everyone is nervous their first time.
I’ve got a 2014 bmw 435d xdrive.
Currently my xdrive is not functional. Permanent traction light on the dash. The error code i have is: 440101 Transfer Box (VTG): End of transmission service life reached.
I don’t suppose replacing the oil will help, but do you think I can replace just the transfer case actuator/motor or will the complete transfer case require replacement? Have searched online endlessly without any answers. Any input would be very much appreciated
How was this resolved? Keen to know more
@@TS-ji1me Yes, also would like to know
I'm pretty sure that error message indicates that the clutch material inside the transfer case or power diverter is it end of life.
Personally I would buy a remanufactured power diverter and install it as an entire sealed unit. I would not rebuild it myself. Manly because I have no idea how to and I imagine there's some special tools and it's just not a headache I would want for myself. Remember I'm only a marginal mechanic I'm not a professional mechanic so everything I say is likely to be wrong