Dreaded M20 Oil pan swap - Quick question!

[Beastolizer]

******************************If anyone is interested in helping me get the oil pan off (on practically the last part) THIS WEEKEND, I'm willing to pay and compensate with some food or beer! Shoot me a text at 425-351-9704*******************************





So I'm right in the middle of replacing my oil pan which the previous owner used a shortcut on and installed a one-time use bolt into the oil drain plug (this is the direct word from West Werks in Redmond).

I've got everything removed and the pan is loose. Unfortunately I do not have a lift or hoist at my house so I will need to take the route where the motor mounts are loosened and the engine is jacked up a few inches to remove the oil pan. The 2 bolts on the underside of the motor mounts were quite simple to loosen, however the 2 located on top are a son of a nutcracker...I've got larger than average hands and the space up in there is extremely limited.

So my question is, how in the heck do I get those 2 motor mounts off? I've been under the car trying everything imaginable to try and get the bolt loose with no progress. I did see something about coming in from the engine bay uptop, but I took a look and that does not seem feasible without removing a large amount of stuff first.

PLEASE! Someone help me! I just want to bring my baby to the e30 picnic, I've made it every year since getting my license at 16, lets keep my streak alive at 7 years.

P.S. This is my first oil pan replacement and I'm a bit skeptical about applying the new gasket and pan correctly. If someone is free next weekend (hopefully the gasket will be here by then) that has done this before, I am willing to offer gas $ as well as beer and/or a joint as compensation. If it takes long, I'll just straight up pay you. I just really want this ready by the picnic!

[camip]

With the bottom bolts loose you should be able to jack the motor up.

[Beastolizer]

With the bottom bolts loose you should be able to jack the motor up.

Sure about that? The DIY thread I read said loosen all 4. Can anyone else testify to this possibly?

Hope you're right, that would make this whole ordeal go by real quick!

[camip]

Pretty sure because there are nuts on both sides so taking one off will allow it to lift plus lining one up is easier then both. When I did it a while back I don't remember taking both off. Just try it, I had to drop the oil pump in the pan to get it out.

[Beastolizer]

Pretty sure because there are nuts on both sides so taking one off will allow it to lift plus lining one up is easier then both. When I did it a while back I don't remember taking both off. Just try it, I had to drop the oil pump in the pan to get it out.

I'll give it a shot. Jacking it up from the A/C bracket seems so sketchy with it being at a slight angle, not much surface area resting on the surface of the jack :???:

[kid325e]

AC Bracket is your go to. If you don't have this done by next weekend, i'd be happy to lend a hand. Last time we did this was on Stephens' E30.

[Beastolizer]

AC Bracket is your go to. If you don't have this done by next weekend, i'd be happy to lend a hand. Last time we did this was on Stephens' E30.

Alright, thanks man! Getting the pan off doesn't sound hard at all, I'm more worried about incorrectly installing the new pan/gasket.

[Wschnitz]

After doing it once without removing the subframe ill be removing the subframe from now on. Its super hard to properly get the gasket on in my opinion.

[cabriodster87]

Use baby zip ties to hold gasket on pan then, snip one off, start a bolt there. Just the corners and a few down each side will suffice.

[Beastolizer]

Gave it a shot. Got the engine up an inch maybe inch and a half, but I didn't feel safe going any further. I can't get enough clearance to get that 3rd oil pump bolt out :/

[BraveUlysses]

Do you have an engine support bar? I work with your brother (kinda) and if you need to borrow one you are welcome to borrow mine

[Beastolizer]

Do you have an engine support bar? I work with your brother (kinda) and if you need to borrow one you are welcome to borrow mine

Yeah I remember you mentioning that you worked at Boeing when you came and picked up my old 318iS! I'm assuming you're up in Everett as well, just in a different building perhaps? My dad is located up there also.

Anyway, I do not have one. He may have one himself and lives only a few miles way. I appreciate the offer though :)

[Beastolizer]

If anyone is interested in helping me get the oil pan off (on practically the last part) this weekend, most likely saturday, I'm willing to pay and compensate with some food or beer!

[Blackout]

If the following info helps you get some extra confidence.....

I was able to get the pan out without touching the oil pump bolts. I used two jacks.
1 under the trans bell housing and other under the AC tensioner bracket.
The second jack under the trans helped greatly.
Facing the front of the car, i angled the pan to the right, than down and pulled it out.
I disconnected sway completely so that it does not obstruct in any way.

.....Give it a shot.

[Beastolizer]

If the following info helps you get some extra confidence.....

I was able to get the pan out without touching the oil pump bolts. I used two jacks.
1 under the trans bell housing and other under the AC tensioner bracket.
The second jack under the trans helped greatly.
Facing the front of the car, i angled the pan to the right, than down and pulled it out.
I disconnected sway completely so that it does not obstruct in any way.

.....Give it a shot.

I do not have access to a second jack currently, and I do not have the extra coin to drop on a new one :/