Changing oil pan gasket, what else?

[SeriousBusiness]

I am planning to do the oil pan gasket on my 325 and just read about basically disassembling the whole front suspension to do the job. Is there anything common I should go ahead and replace while I have it torn apart? The job can wait another week while I order the parts, I just don't want to regret not having done something because I didnt have the part on hand at the time.

[Mossman]

That's craziness, remove nuts from bottom of motor mounts, jack up the motor, put wood between motor mount stud and subframe, and you can access all the bolts and finagle the pan off. Would take about 1/3 the time.

Remove fan or else it'll go through radiator, and remove intake boot from throttle body or risk tearing it. You can jack until the back of motor is hitting firewall, just do it slowly and watch what you're doing.

[SeriousBusiness]

Hmm, sounds like a plan. I was following the Pelican guide for it soo... I think I'll go ahead and tackle it today if I can make it work by just jacking up the engine. I have never done the pan gasket on a BMW so this OE gasket is new to me. Its like, wood..or something. Do I need any type of RTV or sealant on the mating surfaces?

[erik325i]

If you're looking for other stuff to do while you're in there, consider an oilpan baffle and rod bearings. Neither is absolutely necessary, but wouldn't hurt to do.

Erik

[SeriousBusiness]

I had considered the bearings but I plan to build a 2.7 stroker within a year so this motor will be coming out by the end of 2011. If I could get away with it, I wouldn't even swap the pan gasket right now. 2 qts of oil a week is just hard to stay on top of in my DD.

[erik325i]

Do I need any type of RTV or sealant on the mating surfaces?

Just put a dab of RTV on the seams where the block meets the front timing case cover. Don't put RTV all over the gasket.

I do like to use a red spray on gasket sealant made by Permatex that I spray directly on the gasket.

[SeriousBusiness]

Thanks for the help man, I'll jump on it here in a few. I have some of that spray sealant too I think so I'll be sure to use it.

[stumble_t]

I'd also recommend getting 2 new oil pump drive spacers. they will crumble
part # 11411280950