I pulled the BMW E61 into the garage last week to sort out a few issues - rear axle CV boots leaking, oil leak, and low boost pressure. On inspection, I found a leaking transmission oil cooler quick connect fitting, which was spraying oil on the charge air duct from the intercooler to the intake manifold.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHqoXWhibDMScc-xTmQUHzRw2u28hLtXGG6_5XDHC5aGnh5T716Nl5lXPO2H_beuMxgBrFzLtp1nqzoXOMHB3SryFNd20PxuhcpVZZdVFRdwVuG6lta0i8pQaXskqXIAudDJgd1NSrEg/w480-h640/BMW+Quick+Connect-9781.jpg) |
The upper (pressure side) tranmission oil cooler quick connect fitting is leaking
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I did some research on the internet, could not find any articles about people rebuilding these fittings. This hose costs $170 - expensive to replace for a simple leak. I figured since it was leaking anyway, I would try to take it apart and see if there were replaceable seals. The part numbers of the hoses affected are: 17227570973, 17227571978 and 17227571985.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbmObNlmAMWZTZ6QWVZplpZbMPRfG4dOcdVKAHdcjOL5y7WbjwUjqahRtMgF_52p_yqM_Ofg_eeSP-AZzPK1ZUKR6clUEjs0CxLKr0gVnZQjBeHc87FRNX6mYOGAe-7pbpl50RNOv6pk/s640/BMW+Quick+Connect-9791.jpg) |
Once the connection is separated, I took a pick and very easily removed two regular o-rings from the female side of the fitting.
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It was easy to remove two standard o-rings from the fitting using a pick. I was careful not to scratch the inside of the connector shell. Once I had the o-rings removed, I noted there were two spacers made from plastic - one green spacer deep in the fitting, and one gray spacer just above the green spacer.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtM3-uBfB3NjXbKDqw-fHYvYAIeVhFr9Z_cWfA1tX1tr_Y209rcuJ6sfIrlzHf2yiKSBJIR0llubeX-hzm1ZWTFMPa3aKEGbU5Sm__MBkV-RQGli6m75LYnhh1DSfK07Si7j1TkEuNi8/s640/BMW+Quick+Connect-9790.jpg) |
O-rings removed from the fitting, see the green spacer and gray spacer just above.
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The old o-rings were squared off, and not very pliable. They held their out of round shape upon removal. I measured the old o-rings and then estimated what the original uncompressed size would be. They appeared to be standard metric o-rings, and a quick trip to the local o-ring supplier yielded some potential replacements.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFyIhgr5ILSwXA8oHNtB1B4Y66wxYaw-1mda26vuw0aMa9nVwI5l3m-JeHQ1zUwa56o8fzQ41A5y6j1gyw1NjNHd6y5ZnrDkLBmM4O1ykpgfJo2x6un6B0yAeaVSjW3d9qldgQjmmVvY/s640/BMW+Quick+Connect-9796.jpg) |
Old o-rings above, new o-rings below. Two per fitting. |
Next step was to stuff the new o-rings into the fitting. To start with, I used a pick to push the green spacer to the bottom of the fitting, and lift the gray spacer to the top of the fitting. This leaves a groove the width of two o-rings to fit the first replacement o-ring. I stuffed the o-ring into the fitting using some needlenose pliers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUmkgxCAW_jkl-ADN-zyL_i5In3CYentaDON1WvLF7KghcOZOHPwZlF0gw7t_WC1nTEHYVLzdgqvf55V315zq3KyncjA2IoPObfzOh9YqYNDSHdZs_eh_XW27doFvDcpoawZC0J92Pxw/s640/BMW+Quick+Connect-9797.jpg) |
Start by pushing the green spacer to the bottom of the fitting. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnBCXNR-lmCRhtE4QO0WwwE-Xv1aYFSEq8gcw6OTY4LzvWdQddw7YYHUaXZn7aCZX-PrhBErZdaNuoMm9km5Aogzk0O1YbBpodkFvDiVgnj4v5xule9kok1h5gKVd_8h_RizQbyP3eQU/s640/BMW+Quick+Connect-9800.jpg) |
Then - insert the replacement o-ring using needlenose pliers. |
I used the needenose pliers to insert the o-ring into the fitting just above the green spacer, and then to hold one side of the o-ring in the correct position while I used a screwdriver to massage the o-ring into position. With the first o-ring in place between the green and gray spacers, use your pick to push down the gray spacer (and the first o-ring) against the green spacer. ![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSY-eUJHleMWnV1O8zzwiY9DcogN0BcgA77rqAuXoO05uMvamLK2TkjrL5uWCSK0Buexizt28_UmjPIZUYt28I02ZS_lVVuh9v6phkCQVVXC9eO2wo4WrDx79Xa7HOJr6ZK52BRepzGQ/s640/BMW+Quick+Connect-9798.jpg) |
First o-ring inserted above the green spacer. |
Next step, insert the second o-ring just above the gray ring just as before. With both o-rings inserted, I closed the fittings, cleaned them carefully to remove all traces of oil, so that any new leaks would be apparent. Following a run-up - the two fittings I repaired were both well sealed. I created this simple schematic showing how the o-rings stack in the fitting.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwGhe5hDrz3ETqPGBbVxGf_FFcHgOpAE_6vgB78uKYts2WP4RzaJu7XunLCMj1kvKOAJNyimg0DkdJ1Go2Uk5lhqLjz7wae8hiL0sKuQeS6LbCf9VkEhyphenhyphend2J-gTo6g1iUuntIpf3liKs/w659-h391/BMW+Transmission+Oil+Line+Quick+Connectors_001.jpg)
If you're careful with the plastic ring and don't break it when disassembling the connection, you may be able to repair it. One other tip - if possible, before disassembling, wash the hoses with soap and water, and get into the release clip side of the fitting with a toothbrush to get as much grit and sand out of the fitting. Blow water out of the release clips using compressed air, and this will make the disconnection a bit easier. Comment below if you have any questions.
Thank you for showing how to repair this Orings seals
ReplyDeleteglad I could help!
DeleteGreat write up!!! ... you're the only person on the NET to actually say anything about the 2 washers, let alone O-rings ... others seem to think there's just one O-ring in there :/ ... that O-ring diagram is gold ... I now feel more confident knowing I have replaced the O-rings correctly on my X3 E83 (2004) ... thanks ;) ...
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found it useful!!
DeleteI used imperial size 113 o rings on my e90 3 series transmission cooler lines and they are working so far. Thanks for the write up!
ReplyDelete