Oil Leak '93 325i

[Rubatoguy]

I have an oil leak that I am told is the oil pan - The mechanic says that replacing the oil pan gasket is a 5 hour job because you have to lift the engine up in order to replace the gasket.

Are there any tricky ways to do this without having to raise the motor?

[Wayne 962]

You do not have to raise the engine in order to replace the oil pan. You can "simply" drop the front suspension to achieve the same thing. In my opinion, dropping the suspension is far easier than lifting the entire engine. Actually, you only need to drop the front support bar underneath the engine - not any of the struts, etc. It's a complicated job, but pretty straighforward. This is all documented in my new 101 Projects book...

-Wayne

[Rubatoguy]

Well, that is definately worth the cost of a book!
I already have the 101 projects for the Porsche 911 and it was a worthwhile purchase

Todd

[Wayne 962]

If you are only replacing the oil pan seal, you may even be able to get away without dropping anything. Here's a trick, I've been meaning to try:

Remove the lower oil pan cover, and let it drop against the suspension - you should have about a half inch or so clearance now to remove the old seal. Work carefully and remove all the old bits of seal. Now, take the new seal and cut it, so that you can place it around the pan without having to go underneath the oil pump. Apply some gasket sealer at the slit, and then rebolt the pan.

On some cars, there are two pans, this might not work with both of them, but I suppose it's worth a try. On my E30 that I performed this on, I distinctly remember thinking that I didn't really have to drop the suspension if I wanted to try this...

-Wayne

[Jeron]

It seems you might be able to work the gasket onto the pan from below without cutting the gasket. It's worth trying at least.

[Wayne 962]

Originally posted by Jeron
It seems you might be able to work the gasket onto the pan from below without cutting the gasket. It's worth trying at least.

Yes, on different cars, you might have some room down there. However, on some, I will tell you that it will be a lesson in frustration.

-Wayne

[Keith M]

I don't think it could be done without cutting the gasket. The oil pick up sits quite low in a baffle. Here is a shot of the oil pan. The factory baffle is sitting on top (I took this shot to show the Turner baffle kit I welded in). The oil pick up sits inside the large hole in the baffle which is mounted to the bottom of the pan.



I did this job over the winter while replacing the entire suspension. I'll do a write up on it this weekend.

Keith

[Wayne 962]

Cool - email it to me at wayne @ pelicanparts.com and I'll put it up on the site...

-Wayne