Yes, I understand. I have seen a BMW video on the process. Also learned today that British Automotive in Scottsdale claim to be able do it. They say it is about a two hour job. Have not talked to them myself yet. It's for down the road after the oil change. I had the oil change planned for this weekend, but back problems will make me hold it off for a week. Maybe the bluetooth install instead this W/E?
I do have the iCarSoft unit that can read tranny oil temp. Seems a lot easier to just use a IR gun on the bottom of the pan as you are laying down there. Does it make any difference which method you use???
By the way, I say you old post on the surface mount resistors for LED load on rear light. That looks pretty neat (except for the soldering) and will now be on my list of things to do!

 

The plastic oil pan is a poor conductor of heat, so you can't get a reliable temperature reading on its lower surface. If you use an infrared thermometer, aim the beam at the fluid dripping out of the fill hole. Either a measurement of the dripping fluid or via the trans oil temp sensor should get you close enough for a good fill. I find using a scan tool more convenient in general.

As fmertz reminded, do shift the gear lever through all the positions and hold each one about 3 seconds to fill the valve body and associated passages. I try to do this while the trans is warming up but before it reaches 30C.

Cheers,

Don

 

Got it! Will probably use the iCarsoft then even though that seems to make it a two person job. One to read the temp and one to get burned putting the plug in!

 

The entire ZF ATF process is so much easier as a two-person job. I have done it five times on two different cars (my wife's 2006 XK8 and my former 2005 S-Type) always with at least two people involved (and several times with three people involved). You will be much more precise with the various required steps if you have a partner working with you....

 

Yes, I would agree with that. Specially dropping the Mechatronics unit seems to require more than two hands. My problem is that my kids are too far away and it will sure take some doing to find someone around here in my age group, in a retirement community, willing to crawl under a car - even if it is a Jag