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Thread: How to replace oil pan gasket? plz help!!!

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    31

    Default How to replace oil pan gasket? plz help!!!

    Its for 1990 535I with an M30 3.5l engine

    I need to replace my oil pan gasket, i went to the mechanic shop the guy said he cant do it, u have to lift all the engine up or take the whole front out lol, because the oil pump is in the oil pan. Is that true?. I can do the job my self but im not sure if u have to do all these things. Can i do it in my garage or i need a car lift? And the bolts on drivers side are pretty hard to get too.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Southpark
    Posts
    35

    Default

    look up the dimensions ont the realoem site to see what is the oil pumps

    Some beatup BMW with 20" Nipplewheels

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    868

    Default What is your mechanical aptitude?

    your mechanic is correct about the difficulty of getting at the oil pan b/c of the shape and oil pump being in the way.

    If you are at all skeptical about your own abilities, I would leave this up to a mechanic....at least until you build up ability/experience/knowledge.

    Quote Originally Posted by oleh
    Its for 1990 535I with an M30 3.5l engine

    I need to replace my oil pan gasket, i went to the mechanic shop the guy said he cant do it, u have to lift all the engine up or take the whole front out lol, because the oil pump is in the oil pan. Is that true?. I can do the job my self but im not sure if u have to do all these things. Can i do it in my garage or i need a car lift? And the bolts on drivers side are pretty hard to get too.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    31

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Scott H
    your mechanic is correct about the difficulty of getting at the oil pan b/c of the shape and oil pump being in the way.

    If you are at all skeptical about your own abilities, I would leave this up to a mechanic....at least until you build up ability/experience/knowledge.

    How difficult is it what do you have to do? and remove?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    868

    Default You have to get the car up on stands....

    Then you have to jack or cherry pick the engine up enough to clear the subframe crossmembers in order to pull the pan out the front. Most of the time you need to remove the pump pickup while the pan is half hanging off so that you can drop it out of the way and then pull it all out together.

    Thas is the general idea.

    Quote Originally Posted by oleh
    How difficult is it what do you have to do? and remove?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    835

    Default

    Small hands would help when dropping that pickup while the pan is in the way. The motor doesn't have to go up too high, loosen the coolant reservoir & pull away from the firewall for an idea of the clearance needed.
    Also, avoid the damn cork gasket. Napa has a better gasket available, although, I guess the cork gasket on my 535 lasted 15 years before a corner gave.
    erased due to slander

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    31

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Martin in Bellevue
    Small hands would help when dropping that pickup while the pan is in the way. The motor doesn't have to go up too high, loosen the coolant reservoir & pull away from the firewall for an idea of the clearance needed.
    Also, avoid the damn cork gasket. Napa has a better gasket available, although, I guess the cork gasket on my 535 lasted 15 years before a corner gave.
    thats the same problem i have, the corner gave on my oil pan gasket. i can see the cork gasket ripped out on the passengers side on the front.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    1,640

    Default You want the Beck Arnley gasket

    You can get it thru NAPA. Waaaaay better than the stock cork gasket.


    Quote Originally Posted by Martin in Bellevue
    Small hands would help when dropping that pickup while the pan is in the way. The motor doesn't have to go up too high, loosen the coolant reservoir & pull away from the firewall for an idea of the clearance needed.
    Also, avoid the damn cork gasket. Napa has a better gasket available, although, I guess the cork gasket on my 535 lasted 15 years before a corner gave.
    Bellevue WA
    90 535iM - not much stock remains. 3.7 liters, ported head, cammed, 3.73 diffy, M5 brakes, MAFed, yadda yadda yadda
    86 Porsche 951 - Track Toy

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Eastern Tennessee USi
    Posts
    14,839

    Default

    put 2x4s under the mount pads when the engine is raised up to prevent mitten fingers vs gloves.

    Quote Originally Posted by Martin in Bellevue
    Small hands would help when dropping that pickup while the pan is in the way. The motor doesn't have to go up too high, loosen the coolant reservoir & pull away from the firewall for an idea of the clearance needed.
    Also, avoid the damn cork gasket. Napa has a better gasket available, although, I guess the cork gasket on my 535 lasted 15 years before a corner gave.
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Posts
    778

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by oleh
    Its for 1990 535I with an M30 3.5l engine

    I need to replace my oil pan gasket, i went to the mechanic shop the guy said he cant do it, u have to lift all the engine up or take the whole front out lol, because the oil pump is in the oil pan. Is that true?. I can do the job my self but im not sure if u have to do all these things. Can i do it in my garage or i need a car lift? And the bolts on drivers side are pretty hard to get too.
    I put up a procedure on my website that takes you through the task - perhaps you can find it helpful. You will need jack stands...

    http://mysite.verizon.net/vzerdcib/e34a/id5.html

    Look at the bottom of the page.

    deleted air conditioning

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