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My e39 530d broke down last Saturday and got it towed to the house.
I am looking at worse case that box needs rebuild etc and waiting on mechanic to have a quick inspection on it this week. I am nearly sure its a GM box 5sp in it.
Been looking at places for rebuild and got quoted locally 2.5k to 3k from Cork Gearbox centre while Autotranz in Dublin were 1800 plus vat and getting car dropped etc
Any one got work done there or recommend?
Give a m transmission a call also
I'm getting a job done with them and price was reasonable also
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Where are they Claude?Quote:
Originally Posted by claude
Is it worth repairing realistically ? If it's a long term keeper, then of course it may make sense....
A rebuilt gearbox costing a similar value of the entire car may not be the best financial decision if going to move it on anytime soon.
Not sure exactly address but just off long mile road
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Maybe also get onto Motor Confidence for advice - https://www.facebook.com/MotorConfidence.LTD/
Valdas seems to get very good feedback on the forum here....:)
I got work done on my e34 in 7th Gear ballycoolin rates were good. Also active transmissions Greenogue I’ve never had work done but they seem to always have expensive cars in for repair
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It's a tough call as makes no financial sense with age etc but to be fair it has turbo/injectors all done along with suspension with 200k on it and aegean blue which was a limited run of 300 produced in 03.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big H
I am a sucker for E39's and has been a comfy daily clocking up 600 miles a week.
If it get the box done, drive it on for next 100k and write off the cost over 3 years etc
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could be just as simple as one of the solenoids needs to be changed, the gearbox went in mine and in my head it wasnt worth spending alot on a rebuild because of the car age mileage ect, chanced a solenoid and gearbox service kit and its been running fine since so for the price of it, its worth a try.
Where did you get solenoids?Quote:
Originally Posted by The Butcher Boy
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bmw sell them
Not sure if it’s any good to you but I have the old one that packed up in mine in the shed if you want to send it away for a rebuild.
I kept it in the event the box would go in mine again but I only got 10 months from a second hand one so will be going for a manual now.
Jesus are they made of biscuits or what...? I suppose they lasted well over a decade anyway...Quote:
Originally Posted by Smokey Bear
Sorry to read this Philip, it’s a shame, the rest of the car looks great. Was there any warning signs or anything?
Cheers man but think I am gonna just bite the bullet for a rebuild as use it for dailyQuote:
Originally Posted by Smokey Bear
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Nothing at all! Changing gears no problem with no judders or any tell tale signs of gearbox trouble. Previous owner had changed oil and filter in Jan but taking that with a pinch of salt as no paperwork for it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter-E36
I have drove it for 8k and no issues. Waiting to get it on tow truck to mechanic and check gearbox oil filter and see if any metal in the bottom.
It's like the pressure is lost in the box after it is running for few minutes. I suspect oil level is low but no leaks under the car. I checked diagnostics and ran solenoid tests which all came back fine.
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Are you looking for a manual box ? Know where there is one (a 530D M Sport) - still in car so can be driven if needed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Smokey Bear
The whole car can be picked up cheaply - bought to use parts (wing, front bumper & 1 headlight) for another damaged one.
How hard is it to do a manual conversion?Quote:
Originally Posted by Big H
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Not cheap if being farmed out I'd imagine - pedals, clocks, clutch (new one of course), master/slave cylinder etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Philip M5
Not sure if you got my offer, if you want to take it, send the box away for rebuild and then your car won’t stripped at the mechanics etc for a couple of weeks. You can use it as the “core” to send off.Quote:
Originally Posted by Philip M5
Manual conversion shouldn’t be too laborious.
Big H can you Pm me details? Was going to go for 6 speed from a newer car but I’ll need all the other small bits anyway.
Yeah they’re weak enough Peter, they are more or less on their torque limit with standard power. Big issue in Land Rover L322’s and X5’s also. They all share the same GM box.
PM just sentQuote:
Originally Posted by Smokey Bear
Final quote in from Cork Gear Box Centre for €2k including Vat and 12 month warranty. Full rebuild including torque converter etc
Ironically the price I paid for the car!
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I wonder if it could be something relatively easy to fix rather than a total gearbox failure. Hope it gets sorted soon anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by Philip M5
Are those prices just for the rebuild and not R&R (remove & refit) of the box itself ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Philip M5
In one way, it'll be futureproofing the car too - you'll still sell it for €2k+ in a couple of years....
Thats for removing/fitting etc all in.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big H
Drop car off and ready in 5 days
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I think you'd be nuts not to try topping up the fluid for the sake of 30 mins and a few euro - the original job done by the PO may have been lacklustre
I have heard of these GM 360/390 R boxes occasionally loosing pressure as the fluid get's warm. I remember coming across it whilst researching the fluid changes. As a precaution I changed my main pressure regulator (the common denominator in terms of fixing) on the valve body whilst I had the pan and filter off. you also have to loosen (emphasis) on loosen! SOME of the retaining bolts of the valve body down from the underside of the transmission, so the regulator clears the tranny casing. I remember there were two bolts that couldn't be touched (but had the same bolt head design) if you inadvertently undo those, you could have a valve body separate and end up chasing ball bearings and check valves around the floor. So my post is to say that the regulators can fail, it is often associated with temperature build but to be careful installing a replacement regulator.
I used to have a printed copy of the rebuild manual for these, I'll try dig it out and scan the relevant page.
There are resistance checks that can be done on the regulators at different temperatures with a tolerance of +/-15%, the regulator cost me around €60 if I recall correctly. At work now, but will search for the manual when I get a chance.
Scan of manual page that details the spec in terms of ohm readings @certain temps for the pressure reg.
Another check before you drop the pan and filter is to put a hydraulic gauge on the pressure test port of the gearbox. it's just below and immediately forward of the oil cooler ports.
In P N D M4, M3, and M2 you should be developing between 48 and 180 psi, if your on the fringes of 48psi, the box is shot. in reverse the box should develop 60 to 230 psi.
if the box could engage reverse soundly before failure, i'd be looking at the fluid levels and regulator, if it had difficulty with reverse and you find readings on the fringe of the drive specs, the pump is probably shot and if rebuilding that, the clutches are as well done during the rebuild.
Note the two screws described above that shouldn't be undone to get the PR into place by dropping the valve bank, they are detailed in the scan attached.
Sorry took a while to find my manual and sheets - hope you get sorted and continue the E39 strength of population!
Joe
Thank you very much Joe for your help and PDF!Quote:
Originally Posted by 318is-joe
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No worries Philip, hope it helps and you get sorted soon!
had few cars with box repairs, and 99% of these boxes , once they stop going, its full,and only full rebuild ,I mean E39 and early X5 .and with that mileage this is no chances for other small failures