check the fluid level FIRST!! (archive)

Anyway, before you check where it's losing tranny fluid, CHECK THE LEVEL - yellow dipstick nearest the firewall. If it doesn't pull straight up & out, then rotate it slowly while pulling - it'll pop up at one point. Check level withj engine idling and having put tranny through ALL gears (eg so as much fluid as is possible is "in use" in the works before checking). End of the dipstick has two "balls" - between them are two notches. With tranny warm, fluid should be between the notches... if not add fluid down the pipe, normal old DEXRON III equivalent is OK for testing & operation - although some people reckon extra-good synthetic is better, but hey, you just want enough in there to makre sure the fluid level is the problem or not, right?

Hope this helps.

Max

I don't get what u mean, leaving a few black lines on the road. This is bad for the tranny right? Also, u said is easy fix on the seal, can u tell me the procedure how to do it? THanks!

Ron

Yep, I had exactly the same problem when I had a leaky hardened rear main seal and most of my tranny fluid had leaked out all over the exhaust system. Totally different make of car though, but it is likely that this is the problem with your 735, and if so, is easily fixed.

But let's not forget the fun you can have puttering along at 60, planting the accellerator, seeing revs climb to 5000rpm before the tranny engages, and then leaving a couple of nice black lines down the road. Must have looked like I had just fitted NOS or something.

Cheers.

You have checked the level & condition of the fluid & filter, right? Oil starvation will cause pressure drops, and it's the pressure that keeps the clutches on...

Max

Few days ago, I started my ar and put into drive. The car seems like not really moving and in neutral mode. Hmmm, so I step on the gas and is engaged back. So I thought is fine.
Yesterday I was driving on a main road... omg, the car all of the sudden won't go when I was on the left lane. I stepped on the gas, the car screams...and the car seems like in neutral mode, but it do moves a bit. So after like 40 seconds or so, I feel the tranny engaged back again and the rpm jumps back from 4500 rpm to 2000. Anyone knows what's wrong with my car? Do I need a new transmission? Anyone knows any good mechanics who do a good job on this pain in the ass bimmer tranny in NY area? Thanks everyone!

Ron 1988 735i 189K

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