Engine Mount Locations (oil pan install)

[d:\program]

Where are they? 2 seem obvious b/c I can see where it connects the engine to the subframe area. I'm trying to replace the oil pan and was hoping to go the route which "appeared" easiest. I have no cherry picker but have a good jack and my car is on stands, oil pan bolts are off (PITA) and I'm ready to squeeze this baby out! Not looking forward to reinstallation BTW. Any help/tips as always is greatly appreciated. I had no clue how difficult this was going to be...though I should have. (I posted this to bimmerforums too.) Trying get this done today!

[SkinnyVT]

There are only two engine mounts.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=115957

[d:\program]

There are only two engine mounts.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=115957

Thanks! I had read that post before. I have the 2 oil pump bolts on pass. side off. Working on the last one on drivers side. I have no clue how I'm going to get the pump back on! This is a PITA!

Wonder if I should just drop the subframe?

[d:\program]

Subframe dropping

I need advice to drop the subframe. It's impossible for me to do the reinstallation without this step. I see 4 subframe bolts and Bentley says I need to remove the steering rack. I also see 2 more bolts that attach to the subframe connecting the steering rods. I have to get my car going so any help is totally appreciated. Thanks!

[billybobjoseph]

There's a thread in the DIY section on this procedure. They used boards across the engine compartment with straps to hold the engine up ( guess they don't have a cherry picker ). It should have all the details in it.

[d:\program]

Really I just was unsure if there were more than 4 subframe bolts that needed removal but after dropping it and then raising the engine too this seems possible to do now. I get freaked out doing repairs b/c I'm totally broke and if I screw it up I will have no way of fixing it. =)

[Cabriolet]

you can pull the oil pan w/o dropping the subframe. it can be wedged in and out. (did this on my eta)

[d:\program]

you can pull the oil pan w/o dropping the subframe. it can be wedged in and out. (did this on my eta)

Others have done it yes. But me doing its a whole other story. =)

The drive shaft for the pump was giving me absolute hell so I pulled the pan back out. How'd you manage to get it in and get the oil pump back in with 2 inches of space? It's a good thing I did b/c the gasket had moved around...so I removed the dry sealant under the areas that were messed up and cleaned and replaced the sealant. Subframe bolts are removed but I don't see any improvement in the amount of space I have. I'm doing something wrong somewhere. I think I should totally remove the engine mount bolts but I don't know if it's the way to go. I just want the subframe totally out of the way.

[Cabriolet]

the engine is sitting on top of the subframe. so you have to hold the engine up some how and then lower the subframe... pics might help us tell you what to do.

[jaywood]

I need advice to drop the subframe. It's impossible for me to do the reinstallation without this step. I see 4 subframe bolts and Bentley says I need to remove the steering rack. I also see 2 more bolts that attach to the subframe connecting the steering rods. I have to get my car going so any help is totally appreciated. Thanks!

So you got the pan off....but you can't get it back on?

[Jafxod]

I dropped the steering rack and also unbolted the oil pump. Its not an easy job, i was lucky to have access to a lift.

[d:\program]

So you got the pan off....but you can't get it back on?

Yeah. The drive thingie is extremely difficult to get back on when the pump is in the pan. If I ever do this again I'm dropping the whole subfrome just to get it out of the way. Ugh.

[d:\program]

I dropped the steering rack and also unbolted the oil pump. Its not an easy job, i was lucky to have access to a lift.

What I wouldn't do for access to a lift right now. Sore! And only halfway done from 2 full days of working on this. Stuck bolts=weak arms muscles.

[d:\program]

the engine is sitting on top of the subframe. so you have to hold the engine up some how and then lower the subframe... pics might help us tell you what to do.

Didn't fully remove the engine mount bolts. Maybe that's it?

[jaywood]

IMHO...just go 24V ;)