Transmission fluid

[Hottech]

I drained my tranny after a short run and filled it with BMW dino gear oil 85W-90 but decided to add a few ounces of aftermarket oil suspension additive. It turned my golden clear BMW gear oil cloudy and looked very scary to my suprise. Should I not be adding a lubricant that stated that it was compatiable with engine oil to my heavier weight gear oil? Should I drain the gear box and just run the BMW oil. I have heard of many that run abit of Moly but I was not sure if that was in the tranny or just the final drive.

[towerworker]

I started running moly in my FD last summer because of all the failures you constantly read about. Moly is very dark in color and immediately turned the otherwise reasonably clear FD oil dark (which is normal). I have never read anything that recommended running moly or other additives in the tranny simply because you seldom hear of a failure there. As long as what you added is compatible with the tranny oil I don't think I would worry about it. If what you added is a name brand good product you're probably ok.

Wayne

[R4R&R]

I'm pushing 70,000 miles on my 2004 model - no problems and I've alternated between synthetic and dyno fluids in the trans and final drive. No additives, and no problems.

[Buckster]

I use moly in both. Shifting is like buttah!!

[boxermania]

Word of caution......oils for specific service such as engine, tranny, etc, already contain the aditives required for that application and don't require any additional additives.

Most of the cyclical failures in our bikes are not related to lubrication but to under-engineered, poor design or poor assembly.

Yes, and I stand by it until BMW prove me wrong.

[def38]

Regarding the transmission and FD lubricants, use the BMW recommended fluids based upon your climate and riding style. Synthetics are fine but provide little advantage other than a higher TBN and tolerance for heat. Getrag, BMW's transmission vendor has no comment regarding the use of moly. However, it is well understood that moly reduces friction and heat and provides extreme, high pressure lubricating qualities, especially good for both the transmission and FD. I use it and saw immediate improved shifting. Also, I have no FD issues on my '01 GS.

Make sure your gear oils are GL-5 spec.

BTW, BMW uses moly assembly lube during assembly of the FD to insure proper lubrication during early miles. The first drain of the FD will be black, a sign of the moly in the oil.

I flush both transmission and FD with ATF to help clean out any debris in the gear cases before refilling with fresh GL-5.