Diff fluid change
Diff fluid change
Just back from 2 weeks in France - great driving (pics to follow). The little Zed drove perfectly and racked up 2200 miles with ease.
The only little 'niggle' I had was with the diff. It was a little whiny at times - nothing dramatic, but I think it's time for a fluid change. Don't think it's been done.
After searching old posts, I'm set to go with CASTROL SYNTRAX LIMITED SLIP 75W-140 (x2 i litre bottles). My car is a late '02 2.2 M54 engine. The rear drive is 188N i think. Sound alright?
Searching for diff oil in the old posts and online just confused me... Way too much info!
Cheers all,
Tom
The only little 'niggle' I had was with the diff. It was a little whiny at times - nothing dramatic, but I think it's time for a fluid change. Don't think it's been done.
After searching old posts, I'm set to go with CASTROL SYNTRAX LIMITED SLIP 75W-140 (x2 i litre bottles). My car is a late '02 2.2 M54 engine. The rear drive is 188N i think. Sound alright?
Searching for diff oil in the old posts and online just confused me... Way too much info!
Cheers all,
Tom
Re: Diff fluid change
Maximum protection additives GL5 gear oil
75W-90 if no limited slip diff
75W-140 if Limited slip diff fitted
75W-90 if no limited slip diff
75W-140 if Limited slip diff fitted
Re: Diff fluid change
I investigated this as well.
My conclusions were, as above.
My conclusions were, as above.
Re: Diff fluid change
Thanks guys!
I've entered my VIN online and there's no mention of a LSD in the print out (I assume it would be listed as an optional extra?).
Does this mean I'm non-LSD - therefore need the 75/90w?
Cheers,
Tom
I've entered my VIN online and there's no mention of a LSD in the print out (I assume it would be listed as an optional extra?).
Does this mean I'm non-LSD - therefore need the 75/90w?
Cheers,
Tom
Re: Diff fluid change
The attached link shows stuff fitted to the cars. There is the "standard equipment list" and "optional extra list" - but both are items actually fitted to your car. It does not list items which were generally available but not fitted to your car.
I haven't got a LSD on my 1.9 diff and it took almost 1 litre of 75W-90.
http://www.bmwarchive.org/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html
I haven't got a LSD on my 1.9 diff and it took almost 1 litre of 75W-90.
http://www.bmwarchive.org/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html
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Re: Diff fluid change
Is it a sport, if so it will have a lsd
Re: Diff fluid change
It's not a sport and there's also no mention of any LSD option when you check the VIN, so it must be non-LSD and thus 75/90w. Part of me is still tempted to go with 75/140w, if only because it's specified as non-LSD safe too. Insurance policy too. Hmm.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Re: Diff fluid change
You could always try the following.
Jack up both rear wheels. With the car in neutral, turn one rear wheel by hand. If the other one turns the same way you have an LSD. If it turns in the opposite direction you don't have an LSD.
EDIT does not work on "torsen" limited slip diffs in Z3's.....so ignore my useless "advice"
Jack up both rear wheels. With the car in neutral, turn one rear wheel by hand. If the other one turns the same way you have an LSD. If it turns in the opposite direction you don't have an LSD.
EDIT does not work on "torsen" limited slip diffs in Z3's.....so ignore my useless "advice"
Last edited by lightning on Fri 18 Jul, 2014 17:15, edited 3 times in total.
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- Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
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- Location: Daglan, France
Re: Diff fluid change
The LSD oil used to be Castrol SAF-XJ, but it is now one of the Syntrax range.
The LSD is listed as a 'Sperredifferential 25%' in the specification sheet. All UK - market Z3s seem to have been equipped with an LSD, as distinct fom Japan, for example, which were not.
Your 2.2 would have been fitted with a Torsen LSD, which behaves like a non-LSD final drive until a torque imbalance is sensed, when it progressively transfers drive from one side tothe other, soit is no use jacking it up and turning the wheels - my October 1998 2.8 has an LSD, and behaves like a non-LSD final drive, the Torsen LSD seeming to have been fitted fom September 1998.
The 'Sport' cars had an LSd, but were merely a cosmetic exercise, similar to the 'Orinoco' cars - there was nothing unusual about them apart frm a tiny front spoiler lip, even though some motoring hacks copied the BMW press release word for word, which stated they were equipped with an LSD - which was truejust like any other UK Market Z3! The press release even claimed that the front anti roll bar imparted an anti-dive characteristic to the suspension, which showed that the writer did not know how an ARB works!
The LSD is listed as a 'Sperredifferential 25%' in the specification sheet. All UK - market Z3s seem to have been equipped with an LSD, as distinct fom Japan, for example, which were not.
Your 2.2 would have been fitted with a Torsen LSD, which behaves like a non-LSD final drive until a torque imbalance is sensed, when it progressively transfers drive from one side tothe other, soit is no use jacking it up and turning the wheels - my October 1998 2.8 has an LSD, and behaves like a non-LSD final drive, the Torsen LSD seeming to have been fitted fom September 1998.
The 'Sport' cars had an LSd, but were merely a cosmetic exercise, similar to the 'Orinoco' cars - there was nothing unusual about them apart frm a tiny front spoiler lip, even though some motoring hacks copied the BMW press release word for word, which stated they were equipped with an LSD - which was truejust like any other UK Market Z3! The press release even claimed that the front anti roll bar imparted an anti-dive characteristic to the suspension, which showed that the writer did not know how an ARB works!
Last edited by Mike Fishwick on Fri 18 Jul, 2014 10:40, edited 1 time in total.
A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
Re: Diff fluid change
Hi, just to clarify.... can we use the LSD 75W-140 if we are unsure? Really, it won't make any difference will it?
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- Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
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- Location: Daglan, France
Re: Diff fluid change
I would not think it woud be a problem - but why not find out if your car does have an LSD? It is easy enough to do so.
A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
Re: Diff fluid change
Thanks Mike, I was watching out of interest.
My car does not have a LSD according to the VIN decoder but this comment confused me;
Your 2.2 would have been fitted with a Torsen LSD, which behaves like a non-LSD final drive until a torque imbalance is sensed, when it progressively transfers drive from one side tothe other, soit is no use jacking it up and turning the wheels - my October 1998 2.8 has an LSD, and behaves like a non-LSD final drive, the Torsen LSD seeming to have been fitted fom September 1998.
I am easily confused!
Cooper
My car does not have a LSD according to the VIN decoder but this comment confused me;
Your 2.2 would have been fitted with a Torsen LSD, which behaves like a non-LSD final drive until a torque imbalance is sensed, when it progressively transfers drive from one side tothe other, soit is no use jacking it up and turning the wheels - my October 1998 2.8 has an LSD, and behaves like a non-LSD final drive, the Torsen LSD seeming to have been fitted fom September 1998.
I am easily confused!
Cooper
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- Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
- Posts: 2093
- Location: Daglan, France
Re: Diff fluid change
I would suggest that you check with any dealer to get a free copy of your car's specification sheet - I have found so many errors on internet and or American websites that I automatically discount them now.
A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
Re: Diff fluid change
One again, thanks Mike. I will do that very soon and pass the message on!Mike Fishwick wrote:I would suggest that you check with any dealer to get a free copy of your car's specification sheet - I have found so many errors on internet and or American websites that I automatically discount them now.
Re: Diff fluid change
The Torsen diffs can be quite clunky on initial drive take up due to the amount of gears inside which might be partly why there are so many complaints about noises on clutch take up!
I have always understood that the mechanical Torsen diff doesn't need 75-140, that is for the plate style LSD and the other LSDs fitted to newer M cars. It is essentially a very durable oil that works in very high temps (the clutch plate type diff in the M gets a lot hotter by design). It also has additives that were added to quieten the plates in low speed turning conditions (like parking). Lost of E46 M3 owners complained about this so BMW revised it I think. The Castrol 75-140 oil is also recommended for GTR diffs too which will be a very different design but it is an example that the properties of the oil are for very hard use/hot conditons.
That said I would say use 75-140 for either diff, it won't harm an open diff or a Torsen.
I have always understood that the mechanical Torsen diff doesn't need 75-140, that is for the plate style LSD and the other LSDs fitted to newer M cars. It is essentially a very durable oil that works in very high temps (the clutch plate type diff in the M gets a lot hotter by design). It also has additives that were added to quieten the plates in low speed turning conditions (like parking). Lost of E46 M3 owners complained about this so BMW revised it I think. The Castrol 75-140 oil is also recommended for GTR diffs too which will be a very different design but it is an example that the properties of the oil are for very hard use/hot conditons.
That said I would say use 75-140 for either diff, it won't harm an open diff or a Torsen.
Re: Diff fluid change
If you do use the wrong oil, will the resulting catastrophic failure be contained within the differential casing, or will it scatter its internals down the middle of the road?