1989 325i HOW do u change the oil pan???

[CELERITY325i]

Took a dip here in Las Vegas (just moved from so cal) and need to put on a new oil pan. I removed everything that needs to come off except the steering rack and what ever else is under the oil pan. Any tips, and how to drop the oil pan. No clue first time on this car by myself. Thanks in advance.

[bmwannabe]

this should be moved to tech, but from what ive heard, you have to either remove the steering rack, or unbolt the engine, and raise it with a jack.

[M3 Ryan]

you can remove the 2 bolts holding the steering rack and slide it out of the way. Then you need to lower the pan and remove the 3 13mm bolts inside holding the oil pump in. there is 2 on one side and 1 on the other. this can be tricky when reinstalling it because if you drop a bolt, you will be pissed off...

[modifiede30]

I had to do this recently and its a PIA if you don't take the steering rack out, or at least get it out of the way. The absolute worst part is trying to get the oil pump shaft back in place when you reinstall. In order to remove everything, you need to unbolt the engine mounts, and jack the engine up a few inches. Once up, unbolten the oil pump bolts and let it drop into the pan. Its still not an easy removal because of the oil pressure sender sits part way inside the pan, but it can be done by maneuvering the pan as you pull it forward and down.

When you reinstall, you'll need to drop the pump back into the pan and slide the pan back into position. Once there, you'll need to insert the oil pump shaft into place by feel - this is the fun part. While holding the pump and shaft in place, hand bolt the oil pump bolts back in place enough to keep the shaft in. After this, you can just rebolt the whole thing back together. Oh yeah, don't forget that during all of this work to get it back on, you need to keep the gasket on somehow because it can't be installed with the pump in place.

I'd recommend removing the steering rack if you can. That's what I would do, since it wil likely save time during installation.

[Psychomofo]

when i removed the oil pan on my 318 i just dropped the entire front end off the car. from the shocks to the cross member. disconnected the brake lines and everything. gave me very clear and easy access to the oil pan, but probably more work than you are wanting to do.

[M3 Ryan]

I had to do this recently and its a PIA if you don't take the steering rack out, or at least get it out of the way. The absolute worst part is trying to get the oil pump shaft back in place when you reinstall. In order to remove everything, you need to unbolt the engine mounts, and jack the engine up a few inches. Once up, unbolten the oil pump bolts and let it drop into the pan. Its still not an easy removal because of the oil pressure sender sits part way inside the pan, but it can be done by maneuvering the pan as you pull it forward and down.

When you reinstall, you'll need to drop the pump back into the pan and slide the pan back into position. Once there, you'll need to insert the oil pump shaft into place by feel - this is the fun part. While holding the pump and shaft in place, hand bolt the oil pump bolts back in place enough to keep the shaft in. After this, you can just rebolt the whole thing back together. Oh yeah, don't forget that during all of this work to get it back on, you need to keep the gasket on somehow because it can't be installed with the pump in place.

I'd recommend removing the steering rack if you can. That's what I would do, since it wil likely save time during installation.

Thats the level sensor, not the pressure sensor...

[parkerbink]

Had mine done by a shop in L.A. just b4 I left :( cost 800.00

[theberglar]

http://www.bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=articles&report=view&ID=00172&Section=08