bmw e46 m3 Manual Transmission stuck in gear or not disengaging

This install takes 20 - 30 minutes of actual work and a bit of time to allow the old fluid to drain. This is really easy, if not a little messy.
Click on the images for larger views.

WARNING: * Your car must be on a lift or up on jack stands to do this - you should not do this fluid change with only one end of the car up in the air as you will have problems completely draining the old fluid and not over/under filling with new fluid. The car needs to be level to do this correctly.

Note: * Go to a marine supply and buy a gear oil pump they sell for use with outboard engines. This will set you back around $10 but will save you an enormous amount of aggravation caused by the use of a regular siphon pump (trust me). I've since seen these gear oil pumps at WalMart as well.




Step 1: Getting the required items together

This install requires: * 2 Qts. of Royal Purple SyncroMax. Probably a good idea to buy 3 Qts. * A lift or hydraulic jack and jack stands (see how to jack up the car here) * Socket wrench * 8mm socket * 17mm socket * Torque wrench (with a range of 50ft lb +) * Breaker Bar * Gear Oil or Siphon pump * Drain pan (oil drain pan works great) * A BMW M3 (E46). * 20 - 30 minutes of free time.


Note: You should warm up the transmission fluid before draining it. Drive the car around enough to warm things up (don't just let it sit and idle).


Royal Purple SyncroMax


Step 2: Getting Started Under the Car * Two of the plastic shields have to be removed in order to gain access to the transmission drain and fill plugs. * Work from the driver's side of the car and remove the two shields * The shields are have a series of 8mm screws and bolts as well as being interlocked with tabs. * Remove the smaller shield that is closest to the side of the car first. * Make a mental note at to how these are installed - this will make reinstalling them MUCH easier.




View From Under the Car


Shields Removed


Step 3: Locate the Transmission Fill and Drain Plugs * The drain and fill plugs are located on the driver's side of the transmission. * Grab your 17mm socket, breaker bar and drain pan.




Drain and Fill Plugs


Step 4: Draining the Old Fluid * Remove the FILL plug first - these are very tight and may require the use of a breaker bar (see image in previous step). * Some fluid may drain from there so have your drain pan ready. * Remove the drain plug once you have the fill plug under control (see image in previous step). * Let the fluid drain for a while. * My fill plug had a dab of green paint in the center. If your plugs do not have some type of mark to differentiate them, make sure you keep track which on is which - you don't want to interchange these.




Draining the Fluid


Plugs


Step 5: Filling the Trasmission Fluid * Once the fluid is completely drained reinstall the drain plug (see image). Torque it to 37 ft lbs. * Capacity is between 1.8-2 Qts. and you will need some sort of a pump to get the fluid up into the case. * Keep pumping transmission fluid into the transmission until it starts to overflow out of the fill hole (see image). * Once fluid starts to overflow, the case is full. Reinstall the fill plug and torque it to 37 ft lbs.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• e46
• m3
• Manual
• Transmission
• stuck
• in
• gear
• stalls
• neutral
• 2002
• bmw
• clutch
• not
• disengaging

[8203755]

i changed my transimission fluid in my manual e46 the gears are smooth but when the car is cold i.e when i start it in the morning the gears are super hard. I have to force the gear into position does anyone know what might the problem be? much thanks

[superco0l88]

helpful thanx

[int80able]

so manual transmissions do need transmission fluid

[MrDumi1]

Hi every one ,,after high speed my vw passart i coudent shift gears ???after five min. its drive okis any one know why is that?????

[lowriderfan15]

i have a ford f-150 motor 351. . it shifts 1st n 2nd gear pretty well. . but when i almost reaching the 3rd gear it starts smoothly shakin back and forth for atleast 7seconds until it gets it. . idk wt it might be. . i either step on it or let the trans take his time. i have the oil in good level. can someone help?

[e46m3marving]

im going to try this.. this is exactly wuts going wrong with my car

[outlaw17ster]

ok i have a 93 318i 5 speed that was involved in a minor accident last year, the motor was not even touched but the gear shift was shoved forward and down and i only can find 3rd and 5th gear. i was told its somthing minor and by simply disconnecting the driveline can fix it but im doubtful, so can anyone help?

[audiocable]

@anonymousangel11 I have a manual only tranny if ur using a tiptronic then it shouldnt be that bad, only more stress on the torqe converter, automatic always starts on first gear and when it hits like 60km/h it shifts to final gear to save gas

[anonymousangel11]

@audiocable I know 1st gear is there for a reason... but then again when you use the Automatic mode on your SMG tranny... if you put the program at its lowest, it always start at its 2nd gear no matter what... (at a red light or complete stop) so I assumed, if I was using the tritronic mode (changing the gear myself) it wouldnt harm putting it to the 2nd gear right away... Perhaps it matters when using the tritronic mode, but not the automatic mode? what do you think? Thanks

[audiocable]

@anonymousangel1 1st gear is there for a reason, starting on 2nd gear put alot of wear on the clutch, seems like u wore out ur clutch and when u try to engage it, its slipping