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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > N57 / M57 Turbo Diesel Discussions - 335d > CHF or ATF



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      11-16-2016, 11:42 AM   #1
DreiD
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CHF or ATF

The cap on the res says ATF but I've read that the sticker for CHF can come off easily. Anyone have an easy way to tell?
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      11-16-2016, 11:57 AM   #2
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Look at the fluid

Red- ATF
Yellow-ish- CHF
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      11-16-2016, 11:57 AM   #3
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I got my car with 6100 miles on it and it has always said just ATF. The other sticker should have stayed at least that long.

Is there 335D variability in terms of which power steering fluid was loaded at factory?
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      11-16-2016, 12:10 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by 335dsleeper View Post
Look at the fluid

Red- ATF
Yellow-ish- CHF
CHF is green
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      11-16-2016, 12:11 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by BB_cuda View Post
I got my car with 6100 miles on it and it has always said just ATF. The other sticker should have stayed at least that long.

Is there 335D variability in terms of which power steering fluid was loaded at factory?
From my experience at the dealer, only diesels were ATF.
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      11-16-2016, 12:30 PM   #6
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What about light brown? ...Like fresh engine oil. Is that spent CHF? Doesn't look or smell like ATF.
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      11-16-2016, 12:44 PM   #7
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It appears to have a red hue to it. ATF.
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      11-16-2016, 12:56 PM   #8
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It does in the pic...but to the eye it just looks brown.

From this can we rule out CHF at least? It could also be traditional PS Fluid, no?
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      11-16-2016, 01:36 PM   #9
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CHF is green
What does used CHF look like?
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      11-16-2016, 02:05 PM   #10
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no clue...just trying to be a good little owner and take care of a few things as I post her for sale.
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      11-16-2016, 02:21 PM   #11
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Fluid appearance is different on the paper towel. Do you have a turkey baster? Walmart has them for $1.99. Draw out some and look at color. I bet it's more red than the paper towel.

I will volunteer to do the same since I have ATF sticker. I have the baster from getting fluid out of master cylinder.
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      11-16-2016, 02:31 PM   #12
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It's definitely brown (no real hint of red) and smells a bit like mineral oil. Very thin viscosity. Make me think it is spent CHF...as that is mineral oil, right?
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      11-16-2016, 02:52 PM   #13
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I'd go with ATF
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      11-16-2016, 03:07 PM   #14
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What does used CHF look like?
It looka brown green mix. Sometimes just brown. And smells sweet unlike burned ATF sweet.
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      11-16-2016, 03:09 PM   #15
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Feeling stupid. What does CHF stand for?
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      11-16-2016, 03:15 PM   #16
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Feeling stupid. What does CHF stand for?
Central Hydraulic Fluid.
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      11-16-2016, 08:46 PM   #17
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I did extensive research on this exact topic after I started to freak out after I changed PS fluid with D4 ATF.

A lot of clues point to the fact that "all" 335ds came with ATF and I eventually convinced myself I did the right thing.

Been several thousand miles and several months since the change with no issues.

I think ATF is the way to go. Never seen any evidence of a 335d that has the CHF sticker at any point in its life.
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      11-17-2016, 01:40 PM   #18
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I ended up putting CHF in anyway. Who knows. I mixed a tiny bit of ATF in with the CHF I took out and there was always a red tint to that. Before I mixed with ATF there was no red tint at all. The old fluid smelled a lot like mineral oil and seemed similar to the CHF just stronger. From what I understand the downside to ATF is if the system is CHF then ATF will eventually eat at seals.

From what I can tell is people have mixed and have been fine for a while...so, again, who knows.
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      11-17-2016, 01:54 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DreiD View Post
The cap on the res says ATF but I've read that the sticker for CHF can come off easily. Anyone have an easy way to tell?
Dealer may be able to tell if you give them your VIN.
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      11-17-2016, 02:12 PM   #20
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I use a 10-6-1 ratio mix of ATF-Lucas PS fluid-LC20 in the power steering units. Whatever is in that one in the pic needs to be changed out soon before it's time for a new rack.
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      11-17-2016, 02:51 PM   #21
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Quote:
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I use a 10-6-1 ratio mix of ATF-Lucas PS fluid-LC20 in the power steering units. Whatever is in that one in the pic needs to be changed out soon before it's time for a new rack.
Are these racks or pumps high failure items? Just wondering how many power steering racks or pumps have failed due to lack of fluid maintenance.

Interestingly enough, I had a PS pump failure at the 152k mile mark, which is fine with. Parts lasting more than 150k is pretty good as far as I'm concerned. Rack however, still works fine.
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      11-17-2016, 11:35 PM   #22
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ATF is a hydraulic fluid. End of the day it is a pump forcing fluid on a 'ram' that moves via the pressure. At what point are you splitting hairs. As long as the viscosity is close to what the pump is rated for run it.
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