99 problems. Oil pan just turned to #1

[blads99]

I just cracked my oil pan.
I'm an amateur wrencher and forgive me for I haven't read every thread.
I'm still shook from the impact.
What do I need to fix my issue and get back on the road. I already sourced the pan and gasket. Is it worth changing the hardware?
And I checked for that already.
People talking about loctite or thread lockers. If so (change hardware) do I need to take the loctite route or just torque the hex bolts properly ??
Thanks in advance for any input.

[Vanilla Gorilla]

This is going to be one of those things you get 50 different responses to as everyone has their preferred method.

A lot of people use RTV instead of a gasket. I haven't had problem using just the gasket in the past. I once didn't want to wait for a gasket and used RTV and it held up totally fine.

I would say you don't need loctite if you have a proper torque wrench.

Moral of story, use the paper gasket and toque it properly and you will be fine. GL

[bmwman91]

If you use RTV, just be aware that it will be nearly impossible to get the lower pan off again in the future.

While you are in there, make sure that all of the bolts that hold the upper pan to the timing case are tight and in place. They have a tendency to fall out.

[blads99]

This is going to be one of those things you get 50 different responses to as everyone has their preferred method.

A lot of people use RTV instead of a gasket. I haven't had problem using just the gasket in the past. I once didn't want to wait for a gasket and used RTV and it held up totally fine.

I would say you don't need loctite if you have a proper torque wrench.

Moral of story, use the paper gasket and toque it properly and you will be fine. GL

If you use RTV, just be aware that it will be nearly impossible to get the lower pan off again in the future.

While you are in there, make sure that all of the bolts that hold the upper pan to the timing case are tight and in place. They have a tendency to fall out.

Thanks for the tips. As I am a rookie wrencher

But after further assessment.
The upper can needs to be replaced also.
Check out the pic.

[bmwman91]

Holy shit. That's a hell of a bite you are missing there.

[DER E30]

OUCH!!!! What did you hit?!???


That's a good song... 'Till you've heard the remix with Linkin Park...

[nk1221]

Holy shit!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Uber E30]

Dude did you hit a curb going 40? I have cracked a pan before but thats crazy!

[blads99]

This stupid curb.
It's meant for pedestrians who can't cross the stree in one go.

I hit this curb while making a left.
From a residential onto a blvd.
Wasn't even going fast. Picking up speeds from 10-20 maybe.


I'm just very low. Without a skid plate. (Not a smart move on my behalf)
And the skid plate was always that item on the bottom of the to do list. Until now

The flaw on the design is that there's not much visibility on it. The yellow paint is inside both ledges.
Hard to see from the angle I was at.

And again I drive by here all the time.
So I never expected that one.



I'm at a great loss.

[bmwman91]

So...how many witnesses were there to see you tag that curb? That's always the worst part of having a break-down...the onlookers!

[DER E30]

How is the rest of the car???

I hate how low the m42 pan is. My iS lip is ~2 inches higher than my pan, which is pretty stinking close to the ground, like 2 and a half inches... My head says lower it more, but the pan says no... :rofl:

[blads99]

The car is ok. Just smudged with engine oil. Will have to detail the underneath afterwards.
For now just swapping the upper and lower oil pans.


Sucks cause it's the daily.

[blads99]

So...how many witnesses were there to see you tag that curb? That's always the worst part of having a break-down...the onlookers!

Its was around 10a
So not too much traffic or pedestrians :popcorn:
Maybe one or two.

[DER E30]

The car is ok. Just smudged with engine oil. Will have to detail the underneath afterwards.
For now just swapping the upper and lower oil pans.


Sucks cause it's the daily.

Eh, oil on the underside never hurt anybody, and it can't hurt in the fight with rust!

Yeah, having one car as daily sucks Tuesday I had to fix up my stupid timing chain guide