Diff oil change

[Welsh Terrier]

Hi Guys,

I am in need of advice!!!

With respect to my Z4 2.3i M Sport it is 13 years old having done only 7000 miles. With BMW suggesting Diff oil is ok for 100,000 miles before It needs a change, on the face of it I am ok for many more miles to come. However, the car is 13 years old therefore the oil is 13 years old too !! On the basis of age would you change the diff oil ????

 

[t-tony]

In a word, no. My 23i is an 11 plate and just turned 40,000 and I've no intention of changing that any time soon.

Tony.

 

[colb]

Given the condition of your car and the ultra low mileage it has it wouldn't be worth changing Diff or gearbox fluids, they will still be good. If it was a high mileage car then the answer would be ,Yes always worth a change given the age our cars are, this filled for life BMW say is really only good for the warranty period the car is sold with. Changed mine on the Z3 and Z4 both drained and the contents still looked golden in both and no sparkles in. At least I know whats in there going forward. More to the point I would change the gearbox oil/fluid on manual gearbox cars, you need to check what oil your uses as some models use ATF, my 1999 1.9 uses ATF. There were labels on the side of the gearbox but probably long gone now so check what your car uses, you can find out on the web, try Opie Oils for their reccomendations. Diff plugs have alloy washers on so get some new ones before you do the job the originals will have corroded away and can't be used again. Always remove the fill plug on Diff and Gearbox before draining them just to make sure you can get them out. The Gearbox plugs are tapered thread plugs and dont have washers.

 

[Welsh Terrier]

Cheers Tony and Colin, and thank you both.

This is why I have been in a dilemma there are so many various views on this subject.

I think for safety sake I am going to replace both the Diff and the Gearbox oil/ fluid. At least I know everything is first class.

 

[colb]

Would be better to spend the money on fuel and give the car some use as @t-tony and myself think the fluids are still ok at your mileage and you have no leaks.

 

[Welsh Terrier]

Cheers Colin and Tony,

I have revised my thoughts now after re reading the threads and will put a few miles on the clock before thinking about changing either.
Thanks for your help both and of course saving me on the expense

 

[Nodzed]

At 7k I would have to agree with Colin and Tony ....... But

Hang on a minute, let me get my cat and throw it at the pigeons.

My dear old Dad, 40 odd years as a heavy plant fitter, frequently gave me the following bit of advice,
"Oil is cheap son, engines aren't"

I have always lived by this. Guess the advice is just as good for diffs and gearboxes! I have changed both oils in every Zed I have owned, and I'm on my 6th

Its a good opportunity to have a look at the oil coming out to see if there's any issues of wear in the units and for piece of mind and lets be fair BMW diffs and gearboxes are not the best.

 

[Ianmc]

I'm with @Nodzed on this. Most oil is hydroscopic (I believe), so a change after 13 years can not be a bad thing, especially on a low mileage car. All my cars have gearbox/dif oil changes following purchase (unless new) and at least every 5 years there after.

 

[Peter1450]

The trouble is oil is not cheap now! Try buying some 75/140 diff oil, champagne money.

 

[Ianmc]

The trouble is oil is not cheap now! Try buying some 75/140 diff oil, champagne money.

Around £20 per litre I think; more blended scotch than decent champagne.

 

[Nodzed]

The trouble is oil is not cheap now! Try buying some 75/140 diff oil, champagne money.

Try buying a new diff

 

[Welsh Terrier]

Hi Guys,
This is a topic which does not seem to have much written about with cars with low mileage. However I found this

How Often To Change Differential Oil In Rarely Driven Car?

A reader wonders how often the rear differential gear oil should be changed in a car that is driven just 1000 miles per year.

www.oildepot.ca

 

[Peter1450]

Try buying a new diff

. Probably half the value of the car? Like others here just did this whilst it was all apart, 130 K and the diff oil looked clean and fresh .

 

[Nodzed]

Hi Guys,
This is a topic which does not seem to have much written about with cars with low mileage. However I found this

How Often To Change Differential Oil In Rarely Driven Car?

A reader wonders how often the rear differential gear oil should be changed in a car that is driven just 1000 miles per year.

www.oildepot.ca

Good find