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PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2021 10:09 am 
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Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Just noticed a big puddle of transmission fluid on the garage floor under my auto sprint. See photo - ruler is 18".

Last used the car 10 Aug for a 40 min round trip to local shops (not since as we are in lockdown). Nothing unusual in the journey.

Have looked underneath and no obvious sign of any leak from the transmission, pipes or cooler. Only place I can see any sign of fluid is on the lower right part of the subframe around the steering rack. Perhaps the fluid has come from the dipstick tube or the overflow as both are above this area? But why? Any thoughts or experience would be appreciated as at this stage I have no idea why this has happened, what to do about it, nor whether it will happen again.

History: This is a type 17 BW 65 as originally fitted to a Sprint. I previously had fitted a type 18 (ex 1850) for a number of years without issue. Fitted the type 17 to the existing setup (with aftermarket transmission already fitted in front of the radiator) two years ago and covered some 7500 km since. Type F fluid used. Fluid level checked when hot per manual and maintained at correct level. As the cooler is above the height of the transmission, it drains back into the transmission when engine switched off and level cold appears abnormally high. However this is as it has been setup for over five years.

Any thoughts or ideas appreciated. Harvey, are you still on this forum?

Geoff


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PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2021 12:33 pm 
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If the cars are left standing for that period of time without running the engine at all, the fluid in the converter can drain back into the main body of the gearbox, raising the fluid level artificially high, and causing leaks. Add that to what may have drained back from your cooler and there is even more reason for this to happen. There are supposed to be measures in place to stop this happening, but they don't always work/ aren't always fitted. Run the engine occasionally and if this is you problem it will stop the leak.

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Currently over 35 years worth of fixing 35 boxes.
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2021 5:48 pm 
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Exactly as Harvey says.... They all do that. Mine did - use it weekly and it's fine, leave it any longer and it leaked.
I've cured it with lots of careful attention - fit the anti-drainback valve in the cooler output, sealant on the threads of the band adjuster's (my main leak was past these) and renew the O ring on the breather stub. Touch wood - mine now stays bone dry even after standing several months.


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PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2021 5:51 pm 
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Exactly as Harvey says.... They all do that. Mine did - use it weekly and it's fine, leave it any longer and it leaked.
I've cured it with lots of careful attention - fit the anti-drainback valve in the cooler output, sealant on the threads of the band adjuster's (my main leak was past these) and renew the O ring on the breather stub. Touch wood - mine now stays bone dry even after standing several months.


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PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2021 3:18 am 
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Thank you both for your responses, much appreciated.

Basic questions, which of the two pipes from the transmission is the input and which the output? Is there a BW anti drain back valve that should or can be fitted or is it simplest to fit an aftermarket one in the return line from the transmission cooler?

This is the cooler I have fitted, it is in front of the existing radiator, so higher up than the original as fitted. I was unable to obtain the standard Sprint one as the transmission I have came from a crashed car.


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PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2021 10:21 am 
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There is a proper anti-drain back valve for the BW65 but it's very hard to find - it was only fitted to certain models of BMW from what I can make out.... I bought the last 4 from a specialist in Germany to do mine plus a few for others who expressed an interest. I have one left if you cant find one locally - it's expensive though - I got stung with import charges so it's £35 plus postage.


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PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2021 10:24 am 
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It's a spring loaded ball valve that replaces the return union on the top of the box. It opens under pump fluid pressure and then shuts off when the pump is not running. It's not foolproof - but it does help. From memory, the return line is the rear union as the front comes directly out of the pump.


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PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2021 10:40 pm 
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Thanks, have sent you an email
Geoff


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PostPosted: Mon Sep 13, 2021 10:33 am 
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Location: Silsoe, Beds
Quote:
There is a proper anti-drain back valve for the BW65 but it's very hard to find - it was only fitted to certain models of BMW from what I can make out.... I bought the last 4 from a specialist in Germany to do mine plus a few for others who expressed an interest. I have one left if you cant find one locally - it's expensive though - I got stung with import charges so it's £35 plus postage.
Is this easy to fit without taking the box out? can it be replaced just by taking the sump off?

Thanks

Malcolm


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PostPosted: Mon Sep 13, 2021 3:29 pm 
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Quote:

Is this easy to fit without taking the box out? can it be replaced just by taking the sump off?

The sump doesn't have to be removed. You just remove the pipe from the rearmost cooler fitting, undo and remove that fitting, and replace it with the one with the valve. Refit the cooler pipe and you're good to go.

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Currently over 35 years worth of fixing 35 boxes.
Hoping to reach 65 years worth of fixing 65 boxes.


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