E34 540i Oilleak on gearbox

[Jandre]

I picked up my 540 this morning from G&C. They identified the leak on the autobox, but did not want to work on it.

From what we can see the leak is on the right hand side of the gearbox, from a sender unit. According to the mechanic he phoned Triangle Transmissions, and they said he must drop the sump, remove the valve body, and only then will you be able to remove the sender unit, inwards.

This to me sounds like a hell of a jobbie. Also, the cluncking sound on start-up might be a damaged flexplate. To fix this, you need to remove the gearbox (again, according to mechanics).

Now my question to Uber and the likes:
1)Is removing the valvebody and replacing the sender unit such a big job?
2) Should one be weary of damaging something else in the process?
3) How serious is the flexplate issue? (Apart from the noise)
4) What can one expect to pay for such repairs?

and lastly. Maybe it is time for a manual swop?

 

[zaleonardz]

Howdy Jandre.

THe VB can be done without pulling the gearbox. Its actually not that massive of a job, depending what the labour rate per hour is.

Also if you have the VB out, you may as well have it reconditioned, as its a common failure, and valve bodies that are faulty could engage multiple clutch packs at the same time, meaning bye bye gearbox.

Not too sure about the flexplate, no experiance with that.

I think its time for a manual swap, Uber may know of one or two going around..

 

[Jandre]

I am hoping to find something from Mr Uber.

The oil sender replacement is about R2 000,00 in total. This includes labour, oil etc.
I didn't even ask about removing the gearbox to get around the flexplate issue. That could also amount to a few k.

Then one can rather start acquiring all the goodies for a manual swop.

Thanks LZ

 

[P1000]

flex disc/ guibo is important to fix, but no need to remove the gearbox. Exhaust needs to be removed and some covers. Ask clutchplate what happens when it lets go... Not pretty. Valve body is almost as easy to remove as the sump, but have it rebuilt like leonard says...

 

[zaleonardz]

I got confuzzled between a flexplate and a flex disc. Did not know if there may have been a flexplate in the gearbox

If it is the flex disc, then its easy as pie, its just another 3 big assed bolts that has to go with.

I have a spare flex disc with me Jandre.

 

[Danzellc]

Jandre if im not mistaken that leak is on the gearbox harness connector. You will have to drain the oil and remove the sump but not the vb. Stiil a messy job and since you have to remove the sump you might as well do your vb too. Btw there is 2 orings on the connector when you remove the connector from the inside of the gearbox thats not doing its job anymore.

 

[rick540]

Time for a manual swap.

Like LZ says it's not that much of a big job but a fiddly one.

 

[Jandre]

I am keen on a manual swop. I would like to get all the parts off one car though.
Is it just the e34 530i gearbox that will fit?

 

[rick540]

A manual swap will give you a new love for the car, trust me....stickshift V8.....perfection.

Uber definitly has all the bits you need.

 

[zaleonardz]

The 530 box or of course the super rare 6 speed. Either way, the V8 bellhousing is a must.

But Uber may have a box spare, and I believe has leads on 2 others, so drop him a PM.

Its a lot easier to get all the spares from one car, but its not impossible if you dont.

and a V8 with a stick ROCKS... I still need to do that toque challenge with the 540

 

[Jandre]

Dropped the 540 off at Triangle this morning. Asked for a quote to do the valvebody as well, and they quoted around R 1 800,00 over and above the work they are doing today.

Decided to rather save the money for the manual gearbox.

Don't think my auto box is going to last another 20 000km. I have a very slight whine again in 1st gear. Might be the oillevel, since I have had this leak now for quite some time. Either way, a manual swop is on the cards.

 

[zaleonardz]

+92

 

[andrewbuch]

and a LSD for drifting
And some Coil over Fully Adjustable suspension


WIN

 

[zaleonardz]

You are going to LOVE that thing with a manual.

If your considering coming up to JHB to collect said spares, i am urgently trying to get a set of seats up from cpt, but the couriers want to charge me a small fortune based on volumetric weight, meaning that its not worth it.

 

[rick540]

Couriers are a very sore point with me right now.

How come I can get a large parcel from USA to SA in under a week for R120 but everytime I try get a tiny parcel from Germany to SA for R350 it takes 45 days??????

 

[Jandre]

I just picked up the 540i from Triangle, and I must admit, I am just a tad disappointed.

The bill for replacing the o rings on the electronics connection came to R 2 200,00.

Joh!

Then I went through the invoice, line by line. Obviously when the sump came off, they had to replace the oil. That I accept. But they went and replaced the filter. AGAIN. The previous oil/ filter change was done 1500km ago. Surely one can use the filter again?

On the plus side, the slight whine that I had in first is gone again.

Maybe forking out the extra few Bob will be worth it.

 

[Danzellc]

I just picked up the 540i from Triangle, and I must admit, I am just a tad disappointed.

The bill for replacing the o rings on the electronics connection came to R 2 200,00.

Joh!

Then I went through the invoice, line by line. Obviously when the sump came off, they had to replace the oil. That I accept. But they went and replaced the filter. AGAIN. The previous oil/ filter change was done 1500km ago. Surely one can use the filter again?

On the plus side, the slight whine that I had in first is gone again.

Maybe forking out the extra few Bob will be worth it.

what oil did they use Jandre

 

[P1000]

I bet that they used the same filter and charged you for a new one...

 

[Jandre]

I have no idea what oil they used Danzellc. If I look at what the LZ paid for his oil back in the days, I doubt whether Triangle used a very expensive oil.

 

[Danzellc]

Was wondering bout a cheaper compatible oil , 1200 for 5litres is crazy.