[Vacek]

Ok,

First off I feel like an idiot asking this, but better safe than sorry.

Under my car, there is in fact a trap door (well, it is missing, but clear where it used to be ) I'll order a replacement for that.

In all the DIY's I have seen, the drain plug seemed to be at an angle as if it was on the backside of the engine. I cannot find that in mine.

Under the trap door, there is a 17mm bolt which would allow the oil to drain straight down. (?)

Here is an image from my car.


I cannot locate any other trap doors at all ... just the large steel skid plate which I was tempted to take off to see what lives under there, but figured I would ask everyone here first.

Is that my drain plug ? Why isn't it on the backside of the block, and rather straight up and in ?

Thanks, Car is on ramps waiting

[SDemetris]

yes. there is a small door made out of plastic and right behind it is the drain plug

[avocet]

Is that your oil pan? My pan is stamped steel... That one looks aluminum.

But yes, it is a 17mm plug on the bottom of the pan.

I always pull the plastic under tray because oil always drops along the edge of the pan and gets on the tray. It's like maybe a dozen small 8mm screws, and it is always good to take a look arond in there.

[Vacek]

Well, Hope that was it Just drained a little over 5qt's of Black tar from my engine. I was a tad overdue to say the least. The plug had the copper ring on it, so that told me it was the oil plug after all.

Still curious why my drain plug goes straight up in from the underside, when others seem to have the plug on the backside of the lower block. I didn't have any problem with oil shooting into the plastic under tray as it drained straight down.

It is a Canadian e92, but I can't imagine that making a difference.

Thanks for the replays.

[Ferg]

XI maybe? I'll have to look at mine.

[fravel]

Is your car possibly N51 instead of N52?

[avocet]

Ah... Automatics have al. pan, manuals has a steel pan.

As for bolt going straight up... Mine does. Oil drains are usually on the pan near the lowerest point.

[freon480]

Originally Posted by avocet

Ah... Automatics have al. pan, manuals has a steel pan.

As for bolt going straight up... Mine does. Oil drains are usually on the pan near the lowerest point.

My e90 325xi manual transmission has an aluminum pan. And bolt is not at an angle

[avocet]

Originally Posted by freon480

My e90 325xi manual transmission has an aluminum pan. And bolt is not at an angle

ah yes,
I am just going by what I can decipher from surfing... there is a diy out there for an oil change, and it has the bolt on an angle and an al pan. and it is a 325!

for my year of 328, realoem shows an al pan for autos and steel for manuals. maybe being an xi, a coupe and a 325 plays into it.

having at least three different oil pans seems a little excessive... but it is german! lol