325i Oil Pan Removal

[scott-superman]

Hello All!

Have really liked BMWs for almost 20 years when I dated my high school teacher's ex-wife. She had a 320i and it was a blast!

Just bought a 1987 325i Convertible. The guy I bought it from ran over something and punctured the oil pan. I began trying to remove the pan and have taken out all of the bolts (except the ones under the inspection cover). Have removed the four vertical bolts on the inspection cover but it looks like there are some torx head bolts running from the rear toward the front that connect the bell housing to this inspection plate??? Is this correct [???1] Do they have to be removed to get the inspection plate off? Any suggestions?

Also, being new first time owner, how can I tell what engine is in this so that I get the correct oil pan? I have seen M20 engines and others, but how do I verify what mine is?

Thanks for any assistance!

 

[mjbst111]

I think I know what you are talking about... Theres a few small torx bolts that go though the transmission bell housing into that little cover, which will reveal more oil pan bolts.

You can pick up a cheaper set of torx sockets at pep boys. It may be good to get the whole set because the e30's use 3 different size torx sockets. (haha because i forget the real sizes i'm gonna call then small medium and large) small for the bottom and middle of the tranny to engine bolts, medium for the starter bolts and large for the rest of the tranny to engine bolts.

Let us know how it goes... i've never taken the time to replace my oil pan gasket even though i definitely need to. Lifting the engine to get it out does not seem very enjoyable!

 

[Chesty Bonds]

Forget the oil-pan business, i'm more interested in the fact that you chopped your teacher's ex-wife! Nice one !

 

[scott-superman]

Thanks for info!

I have tried to get those torx bolts loose, but they have been on there for 17 years and don't want to budge. I have one of them loose and am going to use my air compressor and air ratchet.

Will let you know.

 

[mjbst111]

do you have a bigger ratchet or a breaker bar? Using a air rachet is kind of scary for such a small bolt. haha.

 

[scott-superman]

do you have a bigger ratchet or a breaker bar? Using a air rachet is kind of scary for such a small bolt. haha.

Hello,

Have tried a 1/2" drive w/ about 20-24" handle on the larger ones and no go. Part of problem on smaller ones is that they have been rounded on the ends slightly. I might try tapping the socket onto the bolt w/ a hammer to make sure I get a good bite first.

Thanks!

 

[mjbst111]

Hello,

Have tried a 1/2" drive w/ about 20-24" handle on the larger ones and no go. Part of problem on smaller ones is that they have been rounded on the ends slightly. I might try tapping the socket onto the bolt w/ a hammer to make sure I get a good bite first.

Thanks!

thats a good idea... nothing worse than a rounded bolt head. in reading my post i wanted to clear up that i wasn't making fun of using an air ratchet, i was laughing at me being scared of the idea.

Good luck!

 

[scott-superman]

thats a good idea... nothing worse than a rounded bolt head. in reading my post i wanted to clear up that i wasn't making fun of using an air ratchet, i was laughing at me being scared of the idea.

Good luck!

Hello again,

Thanks for info! I got the thing off and out tonight. Tapping the socket onto the torx heads got them on far enough to keep them from rounding. they came out fairly easily. Lifting the motor up was a little tricky. Not alot of extra movement to allow pan to clear pickup. Now I am going to bring it to my friend's welding shop and have the holes repaired and put a 1/4" plate across the bottom to hopefully keep this from happening again.

No offense taken. I am sure I will have many more questions as time goes on with this vehicle.

Take care all.

G'Day.

 

[Kether]

Dang... sorry I got in here too late, I just did this same job on my car. FYI, the bolts are E8 inverse torx.. and I had to unbolt the sway bar, links, and the engine mounts, jack up the engine, and finally the pan would come out. It's always a really fun job so I hear.