Auto Tranny Stupidity

[ebelizard]

So ive been lookin through the forums for about 2 hours now....and ive found MIXED reactions to changing the automatic transmition fluid on a BMW e36.

I currently own a 1992 BMW 325i with 230k miles on it. Ran imaculate untill the radiator blew. To make a long story short, when replacing the radiator i removed the tranny cooler and SOME tranny fluid spilled out. Now the tranny is slipping (even tho i topped off the tank).

Heres my question: Even tho theres a lifetime ATF, what harm could it do with a fresh fluid change/filter?? You guys go on and on about microscopic metal particles floating around that make soooo much of a difference if their not in there.....come on are they really that important??

BTW, please dont give me bull about the car having so many miles....ill restate that there were NO tranny problems before this incident occured.

 

[fastcarshotwomen]

The fluid level has to be PERFECT on these cars.

 

[Doughnut]

empty your auto box sump, put sump back on, fill your auto box sump with dextron III auto fluid, take off "outlet" cooler hose.
Run engine in park until your auto fluid turns "clean" (as to empty your torque converter "donut") Stop engine, obtain a genuine bmw filter, take off sump again.... (errrr) replace sump filter, again top up with dex III and your auto transmission is fully running CLEAN fluid.

It a mother f**ker effort, but if you want thr job done this is the way i do it.

prepare for the quotes...

 

[Kirby]

I have heard stories (many different cars, not just BMW) that changing the fluid on a high mileage auto causes slipping, if it was never changed. Supposedly, the new fluid lubricates the worn/polished clutch plates (polished due to very dirty/worn fluid) and then the slipping starts with new fluid.

But this has always been second hand "legends", I have never heard this from anyone who ACTUALLY experienced it. Dunno....

 

[nadroj]

The lifetime fluids is bs. I would have changed the fluid and filter a long time ago