BMW 328i xDrive Transfer Case Fluid Change DIY (2012-2019 BMW 3-Series F30, F31, 320i, 325i, 330i)

►BMW uses a transfer case to send power to the front axle in every xDrive F30 3-series. Like the transmission, the transfer case uses fluid for operation that needs changing after a specific interval. While that might sound complicated, the job doesn't require much more than what a regular engine oil change would. You can easily replace your BMW's transfer case in the comfort of your driveway with some new fluid and a few tools. Failure to replace the transfer case fluid can result in significant damage inside the case. That damage will seriously affect your BMW's ability to drive under its own power.
Follow along as FCP Euro's BMW Catalog Manager, Gareth Foley, takes you through how to change the transfer case fluid in a BMW F30 3-Series.
Buy This Kit - BMW Transfer Case Service Kit - 83220397244KT - www.fcpeuro.co...
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Contains (Qty.) (1) Oil Pump Chain, (1) Oil Pump Chain Rail Assembly, (1) Oil Pump Chain Tensioner, (2) Oil Pump Chain Sprockets.
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Used with sealing compound cartridge part # 83 19 0 439 030 (Loctite 193140).
2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i
Contains (Qty.) (1) Oil Pump Chain, (1) Oil Pump Chain Rail Assembly, (1) Oil Pump Chain Tensioner, (2) Oil Pump Chain Sprockets.
2014 BMW X3 xDrive35i
Used with sealing compound cartridge part # 83 19 0 439 030 (Loctite 193140).
00:00 - Intro to BMW F30 Transfer Case Fluid Change
00:49 - Tools For BMW F30 Transfer Case Fluid Change
01:33 - Locate the BMW F30 Transfer Case Fill Plug
2:00 - Remove The BMW F30 Transfer Case Mount
03:17 - Loosen the BMW F30 Transfer Case Fill Plug
03:35 - Syphon The Fluid Out Of The BMW F30 Transfer Case Fill Plug
04:55 - Fill BMW F30 Transfer Case Fluid
06:10 - Re-Install BMW F30 Transfer Case Mount
07:35 - Torque The BMW F30 Transfer Case Mount Bolt
07:48 - Install BMW F30 Exhaust Shield
08:04 - Re-Install BMW F30 Splash Shields
08:22 - BMW F30 Transfer Case Fluid Conclusion
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[@andrewm3433]

Tip- insert a 6” piece of solid copper wire into the suction tool hose. This will make it easier to bend the tube to reach where you need to extract the most fluid (and will maintain its shape)

[@b00tiki65]

THE MAN IS BACK! BMW content isn't the same with out you man 💪

[@fcpeuro]

More to come from G!!

[@user-cs7bt6uz9i]

Something I NEVER see mentioned anywhere is driveline. Having removed those brackets a few times its clear you can move the transfer case side to side a fair amount when refitting the bracket. And thereby engine and gearbox - I dont think thats a problem. BUT if you have the TC over hard to one side or the other when you tighten it up are you not going to end up with a compound angle on the drive/Propshaft UJ? At least I think you should mark it all before removing. Maybe I am wrong but I just replaced a TC on my car and did not pay attention to the driveline. Never thought about it till afterwards....It has blown out the UJ in 3K miles. Maybe coincidental but it was fine before refitting. It would only take seconds with a marker pen to make sure it goes back where it should.

[@garyvanremortel5218]

I'm so glad that changing ATC45L TC fluid in my 2014 X50i doesn't require removing the cross-brace to remove the fill plug. There is just enough room to get the right tools and fingers in there to do the entire job in about 20min.

[@jpclendenin5671]

I would love it if that was the case on my F10 528xi😂

[@Trufysan]

I need do to this soon..95k miles done. I would drain and fill twice to increase the level of new oil in the transfer case.

[@HazardousHDTV]

I have a whine coming from the transfer case on my 2011 328xi. It becomes audible above 20mph no matter the RPM range until it gets drowned out by road noise. Multiple places I have taken it to have said it’s the transfer case and they all suggest replacing it (despite nothing being wrong with the assembly is just the case that noise is leaking from) would changing the fluid help? I’d much prefer to not spend almost $5k for parts/labor but this whining noise gets very annoying when driving without music on. Thank you

[@fcpeuro]

Hi Hazard, at this point, it would not hurt to try doing a fluid service. So long as you are prepared to possibly still hear that whine.

[@ryanhouck2794]

Did you figure it out? Mine gets a whine too. Super annoying

[@vinnycar6075]

Gareth what is the recommend interval to change the fluid at about 50%

[@Enthusiast_Plus]

Just did this over the weekend. If you can find the transfer case fluid from someone else who has some left, do it. One liter is overkill. Barely any fluid comes out. I have a spare bottle of anyone is looking

[@JeffreyRoblyer]

Will you have to reset the adaptations for the transfer case ?

[@cartere9981]

I’ve seen people say you absolutely have to but seen other people say that that’s more for the E generation cars not so much the F generations like the f30/f32 cause the transfer case is already constantly adapting it doesn’t need to be re-adapted over only half the fluid being changed cause there’s still half the old fluid in there, one would think that wouldn’t “shock” the transfer case from halfway refreshed fluid.

[@junjunsang2]

do you need to reset transfer case via ISTA?

[@parthdinubhai]

asked for this a year ago, thank you 🙏

[@AlexDavidson12]

Thank you!! This is the video we all needed. I have seen a video online where the owner tilts the car towards one corner to help with draining - any thoughts? Not easy as he used four jacks, but it seemed effective.

[@herrbrahms]

But then you have to be sure to get it back to level before pumping new fluid in.

[@ivandrago407]

is it the same procedure for a 340i xdrive?

[@techmoney5829]

Brilliant video, thank you!

[@johnnyblue4799]

If you only can drain 1/2 of the fluid, repeat the procedure several times, spinning the internals of the TC in between drain/refill operations, so you'll remove even more contaminants.

[@garrysidhu2636]

How do you spin the internals? Thx

[@cartere9981]

@@garrysidhu2636 drive lol

[@PovertyDIY]

@@garrysidhu2636jack up the car from rear and front subframe and get the wheels off the ground. Put car in drive and let wheels spin.

[@petarpetrovic257]

Liter of this fluid is like 60$ it aint the cheap everyday oil to waste

[@taobz6586]

Do we need to rest transfer case after oil change?

[@repairvehicle]

It’s not just dark it’s not longer lubricate. Fluid stops lubricating around 50k miles or 4 years which comes first. Thank you for sharing this information.

[@stfr-de]

Underrated video

[@rwsavory]

Great video! However, I got under my 4 series X drive, took a look around and said, nope. The juice ain’t worth the squeeze. If I had a lift, maybe.

[@battlehrfred]

Great work G!! Ty for great detail info!! excellentttt 100-100

[@ivanfong2953]

Any possibility you guys can do a video on an 2007 E83 oil pan gasket replacement?

[@musicsavesxlives]

On my new x5 2020was dark black 60,000 miles sorry I waited but doing 30,000 miles! I use a drill pump has 2 hoses one inlet and outlet hose put smaller hose on it spit out more fluid put into a couple spots!

[@davidcollison8490]

Wondering how do this on mu driveway doesnt the car have to be level ?

[@ezrah016]

Do I need to recalibrate after changing the fluid ? Some videos I’ve watched said so. My car feels like it skips gear here and there and I’m hoping this is the cause of it. I have a 2017 440i xdrive grancoupe

[@petarpetrovic257]

Did you solve it? Most definetely you can do the calibration, it wont hurt, but it might help

[@mordechaimaslaton5381]

same for 2018 f36?

[@n55tourist32]

careful, when you do this, you have to reset the adaptions of the transfer case, otherwise you will increase wear and your transfer case will go bad even quicker than before the oil change

[@tonyfrank8528]

Any link or advice re a procedure for this? I was just going to drain and refill.

[@cemyesil5068]

@@tonyfrank8528 ​ I'm not 100% sure yet myself (still researching), but I am certain you have to reset the adaptions. You can confirm this with your dealer. Let me walk you through where I'm at right now: I've just ordered 3L of oil and will do the oil change several times. Once will not be enough as you can only drain about 40-60%. I'll drive a few kilometres between each oil change. I'll do everything on the same day and at the end of it (or the following day), I will reset the adaptions one way or another. A couple of options for resetting: I've heard it works with ProTool (android only app, costs around 150 euros) with a few button taps. It may also work with BimmerCode, but I'm speculating. It works with ISTA for sure, but it's more involved (you need a cable, laptop, the software and the knowledge). Last option would be to go to BMW for just the coding alone. Get the appointment in advance and do your oil change(s) as close to the appointment as possible. Don't forget to buy a new fill plug with an o ring, costs around 5 euros.

[@asapcornerstone7851]

I bought a scanner tool that allows you to reset pretty much everything and also allows you to see your live data of the engine ,transmission & transfer case and much more for $120 it’s called BM700 you can also registration battery a new battery too

[@n55tourist32]

@@asapcornerstone7851 that's cool! I figured out how to do it with ISTA though, was super simple.

[@asapcornerstone7851]

@@n55tourist32 talking about doing this job I literally just found out my transfer case is completely destroyed internally

[@jayparnes]

Gareth, is there still a requirement to reset the clutch pack on F30s?

[@derekkchung]

ATC35L it is, right?

[@noobishsite]

i would drain as much as i could and then massivly overfill it and let it drain until correct level just to get out a little more

[@nyustdent]

what about xdrive f25?

[@pepakrasny9566]

F21 135i xdrive , oil ?

[@Da-McDragon]

50k or 60k interval?

[@olfyn]

Will this procedure work with the f30/31 340i xdrive?

[@i679n5]

Yes it should be the same.

[@donaldarrabito6899]

You're the best!

[@jabajaba15]

Local bmw dealership tells me that they have electronic suction, which can drain all the fluid out. I don't believe them as I live in a 3rd world country, LOL. Can you confirm or deny whether or not such a suction for a transfer case exists?

[@petarpetrovic257]

Google electronic oil pump. I got mine in lidl for 10euros but never use it as all my parts hsve easy access to drain plugs

[@finessedyawife4915]

Love you guys.

[@fcpeuro]

We love you too.

[@marvinzhang3734]

what I would do is do it twice. After the first refill, drive for 20 minutes and then do it again.

[@polayer4040]

What's the torque spec for the e10's and the 13mm bolts? It's not mentioned in the video. :(

[@hhhhhhhhhhhhh4927]

It's 14ft/lbs for the 13mm bolts and 12ft/lbs for the e10's.

[@polayer4040]

Thanks​@@hhhhhhhhhhhhh4927

[@darth5907]

will this process be different for a 2011 328ix?

[@fcpeuro]

Hi Darth, the general idea remains close, but the location of hardware/sizing will be different.

[@herrbrahms]

What a PITA that there is no drain plug in either the transfer case or the rear diff for these cars. Major design defect.

[@mariusvladut8568]

I personally remove the transfer case and flip it

[@cheesecakemilkshake8043]

Seriously? How difficult is that?

[@t.p1234xyz]

300 or 400 mils extracted? are you kidding? that extraction tool only holds 200. you did 2 pulls and maybe got 50.

[@hhhhhhhhhhhhh4927]

DTF fluid 😏