Changing Oil Pan On Bmw 325I: Step-By-Step Guide

Changing the oil pan on a BMW 325i is a complex task that requires a range of tools and mechanical know-how. The process involves jacking up the car, draining the oil, removing various engine components, and carefully detaching and replacing the oil pan. It is important to follow a step-by-step guide and take appropriate safety precautions when performing this task.

Jack up the car and drain the oil

To change the oil pan on your BMW 325i, you will first need to jack up the car and drain the oil. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Park your car on a level surface and engage the parking brake. Gather the necessary tools and safety equipment, including jack stands, a jack, gloves, and eye protection. Place the jack at the front of the car and jack it up following the instructions in your owner's manual. Once the car is securely raised, position the jack stands under the car for added safety. Never work on a car that is supported only by a jack.

Next, locate the oil drain plug, which is usually at the bottom of the oil pan. Place a drain pan or container with a capacity of at least 10 litres under the drain plug. Using a wrench or socket of the appropriate size, loosen and remove the drain plug. Allow the oil to drain completely. Keep an eye on the oil as it drains to ensure it doesn't miss the drain pan. This process may take some time, so be patient.

Once the oil has drained, replace the oil drain plug, making sure to install a new sealing washer if your vehicle uses one. Tighten the drain plug according to the specified torque settings for your vehicle. Consult your owner's manual or a repair manual for your specific torque specifications.

Tips for draining the oil:

• Before draining the oil, run the engine for a few minutes to warm up the oil, which will allow it to flow more easily. Be careful not to let the engine get too hot.
• After removing the drain plug, inspect the oil for any contaminants or metal shavings, which could indicate a problem with the engine.
• If your vehicle has an oil filter, it is usually located near the oil drain plug. Remove the oil filter and replace it with a new one. Consult your owner's manual or a repair manual for the specific procedure for your vehicle.
• Dispose of the used oil responsibly at a designated location or recycling centre. Do not pour used oil down the drain or into the environment.

By following these steps, you will be able to safely jack up your BMW 325i and drain the oil, which is the first step in changing the oil pan. Remember to work carefully and refer to reliable sources for specific instructions for your vehicle.

Remove wheels and unplug the sensor on the driver's side

To remove the wheels, you'll need to jack up your car and support it safely with stands (front and rear) high enough to work under with the subframe hanging. Make sure you place your jack stands at the correct jacking points on the car. Consult your owner's manual if you're unsure. Once the car is securely raised, you can then remove the wheels.

Now, to unplug the sensor on the driver's side lower control arm, you'll first need to remove the plastic belly cover and the small plastic cover under the radiator. There are two triangular covers, one behind each wheel, and covers under the transmission. Once these are removed, you'll be able to access the sensor and unplug it.

Remove the plastic belly cover and radiator cover

To remove the plastic belly cover and radiator cover from your BMW 325i, follow these steps:

First, jack up your car and support it safely with stands (front and rear) high enough to work under with the subframe hanging. Next, drain the oil. I recommend allowing a lot of time so oil isn't dripping on you while you're underneath. I drained mine overnight.

Now, remove the front wheels. Then, remove the plastic belly cover and the small plastic cover under the radiator. There are two triangular covers, one behind each wheel, and the covers under the transmission. I removed these to clean the oil from the transmission.

At this point, you can access the three screws that are holding the engine cover in place. Pry the cover enough to allow access for the tow hook. Get the tow hook from the utility kit in your car and screw it into the driver's front corner of the cylinder head.

Now you're ready to remove the engine support bar and unbolt the subframe.

Remove engine cover and use a tow hook to support the engine

To remove the engine cover and use a tow hook to support the engine of your BMW 325i, follow these steps:

First, locate the engine cover. This is found at the top of the engine, and will need to be removed to access the tow hook attachment point. Using the appropriate tools, remove the screws holding the engine cover in place. There should be three screws that are accessible and can be removed. Once these are out, carefully pry the cover up to allow access for the tow hook.

Now, you will need to get the tow hook. This should be located in the utility kit in your car. Take the tow hook and screw it into the driver's front corner of the cylinder head. Ensure that it is securely attached before proceeding.

With the tow hook in place, you can now support the engine using the tow hook. This will involve attaching a strap or chain to the tow hook and then to a secure mounting point on the vehicle doing the towing. It is crucial that the hook is properly and securely attached before attempting to move the engine. Ensure that the strap or chain is not twisted before applying any tension.

Once the tow hook and strap/chain are securely in place, you can now safely support the engine and proceed with the next steps in the oil pan removal process.

Note: It is important to only attach the tow hook and strap/chain to the specified attachment points. Do not attach them to the bumper or any other parts of the vehicle, as this can cause damage.

Remove the bolts for the engine mounts

To remove the bolts for the engine mounts of your BMW 325i, you will need to follow these steps:

First, make sure you have the right tools. You will need a set of sockets, (8mm, 10mm, 16mm E12), a hydraulic jack or engine hoist, and a block of wood.

Next, remove the engine splash shields and reinforcement brace. You can refer to the Pelican Parts technical article on removing the splash shield and plate reinforcement for detailed instructions on this step.

Now, locate the top of the motor mount on the left side of the engine. You will find it by looking down past the strut tower and finding the steering shaft universal joint—the motor mount is right below it. Using a 24" extension, or a few extensions connected together, remove the nut from the motor mount. You will need to slide the extension down past the steering shaft knuckle and guide it onto the nut. Once it's on, break the nut free and remove it.

Then, locate the top of the motor mount on the right side of the engine. This can be found by looking down past the exhaust manifold. Remove the nut from the motor mount.

If you are replacing the left side engine mount, remove the wheel well corner trim cover. Remove the three 8mm fasteners, then one 10mm plastic nut.

If you are replacing the left side engine mount, remove the six 16mm fasteners from the lower cross brace and remove the reinforcement brace from the vehicle.

Working below the engine at the subframe, remove the two E12 lower engine mount fasteners.

Now, support the engine from below using a hydraulic jack. Place a block of wood between the corner of the engine oil pan and the jack pad. Next, loosen the engine mount nut on the opposite side of the engine mount you are replacing, but do not remove it. Doing this will allow the engine to be raised enough to remove the engine mount on the opposite side.

Finally, jack up the engine until the engine mount can be removed from the vehicle. You will see the upper engine mount stud move free of the upper bracket. Remove the engine mount from the vehicle and install the new one. Slowly lower the engine down onto the new mount. Install the new engine mount nuts and torque them. Then, repeat the procedure for the opposite side mount. When replacing the right side engine mount, you will need to transfer the heat shield over to the new mount. Reassemble the remaining items and recheck the engine mount nut torque.

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