Replacing E30 Oil Pan: A Step-By-Step Guide

Replacing the oil pan on an E30 can be a challenging task, but with the right tools and knowledge, it is certainly doable. The process involves jacking up the car, removing the front suspension, and carefully detaching the oil pan from the engine. It is important to have a clear understanding of the engine components and their functions before attempting this repair. Additionally, it is crucial to take safety precautions when working underneath a vehicle. When it comes to the tools required for this job, a set of inverted torx bits, wrenches, sockets, and a jack with stands are essential. The process can be time-consuming, especially for beginners, but with patience and careful execution, a successful oil pan replacement can be achieved.

Prepare tools and drain oil

To replace the oil pan on your E30, you will first need to gather the necessary tools and drain the oil from the car. Here is a list of tools that you will need:

• Set of inverted torx bits
• 10mm open-ended box wrench
• 13mm open-ended box wrench
• 10mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Short extension
• Jack + stands
• U-joint (optional)
• Long extension (optional)
• Brake cleaner/PB Blaster (optional)
• 17mm open-ended box wrench (optional)

Once you have gathered all the tools, you can start by draining the oil from the car. Place a drain pan under the oil pan and remove the oil drain bolt using a 17mm socket. Allow the oil to drain completely into the pan. Dispose of the oil properly.

Jack up the car

After draining the oil, you will need to jack up the car and place it on jack stands. Use a floor jack with the correct lifting capacity for your vehicle to raise the car. Place the jack stands at the appropriate points to support the vehicle safely and stably. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands and leave the jack in place for safety.

Remove the oil filter

With the car jacked up and supported, you can now remove the oil filter. Use an oil filter wrench to remove the oil filter, allowing the remaining oil to drain into the pan. Dispose of the oil filter properly.

At this point, you have completed the "Prepare tools and drain oil" part of the oil pan replacement process. You can now move on to the next steps, which involve removing the oil pan bolts, transmission shield, and other components to access and replace the oil pan.

Remove transmission shield

To remove the transmission shield, follow these steps:

Step 1: Gather all the tools and drain the oil from the car. Suggested tools include a set of inverted torx bits, a 10mm open-ended box wrench, a 13mm open-ended box wrench, a 10mm socket, a 13mm socket, a 17mm socket, a short extension, a jack, and stands.

Step 2: Jack up the car and put it on stands to ensure it is level.

Step 3: Remove the transmission shield by unscrewing the 4 13mm hex bolts and 4 inverted torx bits from behind.

Step 4: If you are unsure about the socket size needed for the torx bits, use one that fits perfectly to avoid rounding them out.

Step 5: Once the transmission shield is removed, proceed to remove the oil pan bolts.

Removing the transmission shield is a crucial step in accessing and replacing the oil pan on an E30 vehicle.

Remove oil pan bolts

To remove the oil pan bolts, you will need to lift the car and drain the oil. You will also need to remove the oil level sender and the ground strap from the front-top of the oil pan. Disconnect the battery and remove the hood and fan shroud from the radiator.

Jack up the car on the front subframe and position jack stands under the frame on each side of the car, then remove the floor jack. Disconnect the oil cooler lines from where they mount to the block, near the oil filter mount. Move towards the front of the car and unbolt the motor mounts.

There is a flywheel cover over the back of the oil pan that will also need to be removed. There are four bolts holding it vertically and four torx bolts holding it horizontally. These must all be removed to get the cover off. Some of them are different lengths, so make sure you remember which ones go where. Once you have all the bolts out, gently pull down on the two steel lines running along the transmission to remove the cover.

Position the engine hoist at the front of the car and secure it to the hoist point at the front of the cylinder head. Lift the engine slowly and as high as you can safely. This should give you enough room to remove the pan and clear the oil pump without having to remove it.

There are 25 10mm bolts that hold the oil pan to the block. A power drill will come in handy here, or you will be there all day. You will be able to get most of them out with the drill, but a few of them are in tight spots, so use a ratchet and extensions to get them out.

After removing the oil pan, get on your back under the engine and use a gasket-scraping implement to remove all the remaining gasket that is still stuck to the block. Be careful not to gouge the surface of the aluminium while scraping.

Remove oil pump bolts

To remove the oil pump bolts, you will need a 13mm open-ended box wrench. There are three bolts that keep the pump in place: two on the passenger side and one on the driver's side. Use the wrench to loosen and remove them. Once the bolts are out, wiggle the oil pump until it falls into the oil pan.

Some additional advice from mechanics and car enthusiasts:

• It is a simple process but can be time-consuming if you are doing it for the first time.
• The bolts are in tight spaces that are generally not easy to get to.
• Make sure you have a fresh crush washer.
• You might need to use a combination of extensions and U-joints to reach the bolts.
• When putting everything back together, make sure the oil pump drive shaft is in the right spot or you won't have oil pressure.
• When reinstalling the bolts, you don't want them super-tight, just nice and snug.
• Make sure you have a clear workspace and all your tools gathered before you begin.

Remove dipstick and oil level sensor

To remove the dipstick and oil level sensor, follow these steps:

Firstly, remove the oil dipstick. This is simple and just requires you to pull it out.

Secondly, remove the oil level sensor. This is located next to the ground cable on the driver's side. To remove it, you need to disconnect the wiring connector. This has two tabs that you need to press or squeeze together while pulling the sensor out. Be careful, as the connector is brittle.

Thirdly, remove the ground strap. This is located right behind the oil level sensor and attaches the oil pan to the chassis. It is removed with a single 13mm nut.

Once these steps are completed, you can move on to removing the oil pan.

Frequently asked questions