BMW 320D F30 Clutch slipping at 65k?

[Chrissmfc]

Recently purchased a 320d 64 reg pre facelift, automatic on 65k with a full bmw service history.
Drove it for a few days and under hard acceleration or reverse was giving up a drivetrain error, have attached a picture.
A diagnostic at a bmw specialist diagnosed a slipping clutch and recommended a gearbox recondition, this is getting done Monday paid for by the garage I bought it from.
I’m just curious at what would have caused this fault at such low mileage??How long should a auto gearbox last??
Cheers guys.

[Brian_996TT]

It depends when the gearbox oil was last changed. The new oil might fix the fault.

[Chrissmfc]

Brian_996TT said:

It depends when the gearbox oil was last changed. The new oil might fix the fault.

Cheers Brian, hoping the reconditioning will sort the issues.

[stevieturbo]

Chrissmfc said:

Recently purchased a 320d 64 reg pre facelift, automatic on 65k with a full bmw service history.
Drove it for a few days and under hard acceleration or reverse was giving up a drivetrain error, have attached a picture.
A diagnostic at a bmw specialist diagnosed a slipping clutch and recommended a gearbox recondition, this is getting done Monday paid for by the garage I bought it from.
I’m just curious at what would have caused this fault at such low mileage??How long should a auto gearbox last??
Cheers guys.

Automatic...and clutch slipping....the two do not usually go hand in hand.

So you have an automatic transmission problem. Not quite the same thing as a normal mechanical clutch problem, where the engine wouldn't usually have any means of fault reporting. ( although auto's do also have various clutches too, but not quite the same )

So first things first....exactly which gearbox do you have ?

[Elliot2000]

I don’t think a garage would recommend a gearbox refurbishment for a clutch fault if it was a manual - so I think it’s fair to say it’s definitely an auto

Clutch slipping on an auto could just be down to a low fluid level- did the garage mention if it looks like it had been leaking or contaminated? Otherwise it might have had a hard life of heavy accelerations from standstill or it’s just one of those things

Generally - the zf 8 speed autos are pretty good reliability wise

Tbh - if you are not paying and getting the box refurbished I guess that can only be seen as a good thing

Edited by Elliot2000 on Wednesday 10th February 20:12

[stevieturbo]

Elliot2000 said:

I don’t think a garage would recommend a gearbox refurbishment for a clutch fault if it was a manual - so I think it’s fair to say it’s definitely an auto

Clutch slipping on an auto could just be down to a low fluid level- did the garage mention if it looks like it had been leaking or contaminated? Otherwise it might have had a hard life of heavy accelerations from standstill or it’s just one of those things

Generally - the zf 8 speed autos are pretty good reliability wise

Tbh - if you are not paying and getting the box refurbished I guess that can only be seen as a good thing

Edited by Elliot2000 on Wednesday 10th February 20:12

ZF8's also plentiful and pretty cheap second hand.....it would be hard to justify a full rebuild which would likely cost an awful lot.

I'd be wanting a better diagnosis though before a full rebuild....as it is very unusual. As you say these are usually very reliable.

Some history behind the car would be good...is there any transmission related history ? mileage genuine ? previous owners ?

If it has just been bought...presumably it's under warranty ?

[stevesingo]

Remapped?

Tow bar?

Any signs of transmission fluid leaks?

Clocked?

I believe ZF recommend a fluid change at 100-120k km, less if driven in arduous conditions.

[ashenfie]

If it's an Auto as others have said it has no clutch, it has a torque converter. A faulty torque converter would require replacement and would cost loads of dosh.

I would take to a dealer or another specialist. These gear boxes are normally solid and maintenance free (well so BMW say). Ask who ever you take it too if they normal fix ZF8 gears box, I am not sure a gearbox oil change would resolve this issue.

[Chrissmfc]

stevieturbo said:

ZF8's also plentiful and pretty cheap second hand.....it would be hard to justify a full rebuild which would likely cost an awful lot.

I'd be wanting a better diagnosis though before a full rebuild....as it is very unusual. As you say these are usually very reliable.

Some history behind the car would be good...is there any transmission related history ? mileage genuine ? previous owners ?

If it has just been bought...presumably it's under warranty ?

Hi guys thanks for the replies.

Car is going in to Mackies Transmissons Glasgow on Monday for another diagnostic and then repair of the issue. The last MOT did mention a slight oil leak from the gearbox due to a faulty seal.

So has a low fluid level caused the slipping clutch and what would the repair be? Cheers

[E-bmw]

As others have said you are not being clear on the gearbox you have, please can you clarify.

You said auto, and then said the clutch is slipping.

Autos don't have "clutches" that can slip.

[Chrissmfc]

E-bmw said:

As others have said you are not being clear on the gearbox you have, please can you clarify.

You said auto, and then said the clutch is slipping.

Autos don't have "clutches" that can slip.

Hi, it’s an automatic 8 speed. The specialist confirmed the clutch was slipping in drive.

[paintman]

Autos have clutch packs - usually several - which can & do.

Common issues are low fluid - which would tie in with your reported leak and a build up of sludge in the filter caused by wear of the friction linings in the pack restricting the flow of fluid esp when cold.

This might be of interest:
https://atracom.blob.core.windows.net/webinars/imp...

[stevieturbo]

paintman said:

Autos have clutch packs - usually several - which can & do.

Common issues are low fluid - which would tie in with your reported leak and a build up of sludge in the filter caused by wear of the friction linings in the pack restricting the flow of fluid esp when cold.

This might be of interest:
https://atracom.blob.core.windows.net/webinars/imp...

Exactly, there are multiple clutch packs....not just a single clutch. But there are also other slippy bits.

If it is a leak, it would need to have lost a fair amount. I would certainly be worth renewing fluid, replacing any filters where applicable, and if there is any re-learning to be done within the ecu, that should be done too.
Then maybe start ripping it apart if all is bad.

But as there are multiple clutch packs...I'd be wanting a bit more info than "it slips in drive". Does it slip in every gear ? At all loads ?

And what transmission related fault codes are being presented ?

[Chrissmfc]

Thanks for all the great stuff back guys.

The fault seems to present itself mainly when going into reverse and when applying anything but gently pressure in D, the fault does come and go but the check engine light is permanently on.

Hopefully these experts on Monday identify the fluid loss and do the required repairs, again I’m very grateful I’m not shelling out for this.

[scottyp123]

Webber Auto trying to explain the ZF8 box