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HOW TO RUIN YOUR GEARBOX

Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 5 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 5 Series (E12, E28, E34, E39, E60 & E61)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=2551
Printed Date: 29-March-2024 at 13:50


Topic: HOW TO RUIN YOUR GEARBOX
Posted By: Andyboy
Subject: HOW TO RUIN YOUR GEARBOX
Date Posted: 08-July-2003 at 13:59
the best way to ruin a 4 speed automatic gearbox is to let it idle for more than a couple of minutes in park or neutral. Revving the engine in P or N will destroy it quite quickly. As these boxes get old, oil leaks past the pump and partially engages the forward clutches. Jack up the car and let the engine idle in N with the handbrake off. See the wheels turning slightly? That's the clutches partially engaged. Because they are slipping, they will overheat and burn out - no drive. So at the lights, leave it in D - even for long jams. The torque converter will do all the work. If you have to run the engine for maintenance, jack the car up, handbrake off and in Neutral. This takes the pressure off the clutches.

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Replies:
Posted By: DesE39
Date Posted: 08-July-2003 at 14:35

Is this the same for the E39 5 SPeed Steptronic box ? In heavy traffic etc I always knock into N and flick into D when needed.

Cheers - Des



Posted By: Andyboy
Date Posted: 08-July-2003 at 17:45
Not sure about these later ones but the 4 speeds are definitely afflicted. Everything from 316 up wards.

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Posted By: deano.1
Date Posted: 08-July-2003 at 20:13
i would like to know if this affects the E39 too, i always knock it into neutral at traffic lights etc because i assumed it was better for the gearbox.

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have a nice day


Posted By: Andyboy
Date Posted: 09-July-2003 at 21:59
I don't think 5 speeds are affected by this......

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