High mileage E90's Beware: Oil Pan Gasket Leak

Turkeybaster115 · 10-21-2011, 11:07 AM

'07 335I, 87K miles on the odo, was changing the oil level sensor, and decided to change the pan gasket + single use aluminum screws. Lucky thing too, because oil was already seeping steadily from the oil pan. If you're over 70K miles, the oil pan gasket change is a definite must, as you are probably already leaking. This DIY was very helpful for me:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...+gasket+repair

acdHQK713K · 10-21-2011, 11:33 AM

Part numbers the same as that DIY?

Turkeybaster115 · 10-21-2011, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stangorang

Part numbers the same as that DIY?

The aluminum screws had a different part number for my auto 335I, on real oem. Not sure if they were the same set of screws since the OP had a manual 330I. I decided not to risk it, for just a few cents difference.

Turkeybaster115 · 10-25-2011, 07:10 PM

Here are some pics from the 6 hour project:

Getting to the Oil Pan

Super Clean 87K mile engine, thanks to GUNK motor flush, every oil change.

Super Clean Oil pan

Elie335 · 10-25-2011, 07:52 PM

did you drop your subframe? oh man its gonna be a PITA diy if you did......

acdHQK713K · 10-25-2011, 08:21 PM

6 hours? Why does it take so long?

Turkeybaster115 · 10-25-2011, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elie335

did you drop your subframe? oh man its gonna be a PITA diy if you did......

Yep, subframe, intercooler, radiator fan, trans cooler,...........big PITA! Used sealant to seel up the new gasket, in areas that were previously leaking. Don't want to have to do this again for another 100K miles.

JoosyJoos · 10-25-2011, 09:52 PM

Its the same process for e36's to secure the oil pump nut. I still havent had the balls to try it yet. Looks like a serious pain in the ass.

335why · 10-26-2011, 03:17 AM

Pretty sure mine is leaking already with 50k miles

David1 · 10-26-2011, 08:48 AM

Make sure it is not the oil filter housing on the head that is leaking making it look like the oil pan is leaking. Some sepage from the pan gasket is normal. If it is not dripping leave it alone.

Turkeybaster115 · 10-26-2011, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David1

Make sure it is not the oil filter housing on the head that is leaking making it look like the oil pan is leaking. Some sepage from the pan gasket is normal. If it is not dripping leave it alone.

We put the vehicle on a lift and checked it with a flash light. After 50K miles, it will definitely be leaking, along with the transmission pan gasket (auto) + mechatronics sealing sleeve.

acdHQK713K · 10-26-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turkeybaster115

We put the vehicle on a lift and checked it with a flash light. After 50K miles, it will definitely be leaking, along with the transmission pan gasket (auto) + mechatronics sealing sleeve.

Yep had the transmission leak as well.

I will probably prophylactically replace the oil pan gasket.

JamesM3M5 · 10-29-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stangorang

... prophylactically ...

Nice. Is that a word? Heheh.

Must be crappy rubber. These cars can't keep their oils in place for long, lately. Lots of cars coming in with power steering leaks and oil pan gaskets and filter housing gaskets and valve cover gaskets.

Yes 6 hours is about right. Lots of stuff to dismantle just to get to the oil pan bolts.

cn555ic · 10-29-2011, 11:47 AM

6 hours. That seem like a lot

JamesM3M5 · 10-29-2011, 12:21 PM

There is a lot of stuff to take off just to get the subframe down. Then you have to get the pan off, clean it and the block surface, reassemble, refill with oil and coolant (if you take the coolant pipe on the front of the subframe off), and realign. 6 hours is barely book time, and a dealer will charge at least 1.5x that amount.

MilehighM3 · 10-30-2011, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turkeybaster115

The aluminum screws had a different part number for my auto 335I, on real oem. Not sure if they were the same set of screws since the OP had a manual 330I. I decided not to risk it, for just a few cents difference.

It varies if you have a steel oil pan or aluminum. They are different thicknesses, thus the different bolts. Plus, the 330 block is different from the 335....

jpirelli · 10-09-2012, 01:49 PM

Can it be done w/o dropping the subframe? N54.

JamesM3M5 · 10-09-2012, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpirelli

Can it be done w/o dropping the subframe? N54.

Negative. Can't push the motor up far enough to get the pan to clear the pickup and other things. Support the engine on a cradle and drop the SF down.

themyst · 10-09-2012, 02:23 PM

Meh, subframe drops take 45 minutes with an air compressor tank and two sets of hands.

Honestly though, it makes me glad I have CPO.

MDORPHN · 10-09-2012, 02:34 PM

Related question for those of you who have removed the oil pan-- does it have sufficient baffling for use of road race courses?

Neil

creaminz · 10-09-2012, 02:40 PM

I got mine done as well around 60,000 miles on odo by LTBMW.

bmerguy · 10-09-2012, 02:46 PM

Just had mine done along with the transmission sleeve leak. CPO FTW

10-21-2011, 11:07 AM	#1
Turkeybaster115 Banned 74 Rep 1,543 Posts Drives: 335I Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Illinois iTrader: (2)	High mileage E90's Beware: Oil Pan Gasket Leak '07 335I, 87K miles on the odo, was changing the oil level sensor, and decided to change the pan gasket + single use aluminum screws. Lucky thing too, because oil was already seeping steadily from the oil pan. If you're over 70K miles, the oil pan gasket change is a definite must, as you are probably already leaking. This DIY was very helpful for me: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...+gasket+repair
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10-21-2011, 11:33 AM	#2
acdHQK713K Major 231 Rep 1,473 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	Part numbers the same as that DIY?
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10-25-2011, 07:10 PM	#4
Turkeybaster115 Banned 74 Rep 1,543 Posts Drives: 335I Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Illinois iTrader: (2)	Here are some pics from the 6 hour project: Getting to the Oil Pan Super Clean 87K mile engine, thanks to GUNK motor flush, every oil change. Super Clean Oil pan
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10-25-2011, 07:52 PM	#5
Elie335 ايلي ٣٣٥ هاهاها 88 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: Vorsteiner e92 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Leb iTrader: (1)	did you drop your subframe? oh man its gonna be a PITA diy if you did...... __________________ Recent exterior modifications
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10-25-2011, 08:21 PM	#6
acdHQK713K Major 231 Rep 1,473 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	6 hours? Why does it take so long?
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10-25-2011, 09:52 PM	#8
JoosyJoos Major 113 Rep 1,347 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	Its the same process for e36's to secure the oil pump nut. I still havent had the balls to try it yet. Looks like a serious pain in the ass. __________________ 1997 M3 Coupe - BMWCCA I-Prepared #22 2006 M Roadster - 23,000 miles and slowly counting
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10-26-2011, 03:17 AM	#9
335why Private First Class 16 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: In the garage confused as hell..... iTrader: (1)	Pretty sure mine is leaking already with 50k miles
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10-26-2011, 08:48 AM	#10
David1 Brigadier General 814 Rep 3,951 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	Make sure it is not the oil filter housing on the head that is leaking making it look like the oil pan is leaking. Some sepage from the pan gasket is normal. If it is not dripping leave it alone. __________________ 2021 M2 Comp Sunset Orange \|Black with orange Stitching Dakota Leather\|Executive Pkg\|DCT
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10-29-2011, 11:47 AM	#14
cn555ic 441 Rep 18,331 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: US iTrader: (6)	6 hours. That seem like a lot
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10-29-2011, 12:21 PM	#15
JamesM3M5 Some dude 91 Rep 1,780 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	There is a lot of stuff to take off just to get the subframe down. Then you have to get the pan off, clean it and the block surface, reassemble, refill with oil and coolant (if you take the coolant pipe on the front of the subframe off), and realign. 6 hours is barely book time, and a dealer will charge at least 1.5x that amount. __________________ RRT E92 335i/6MT with stuff and things
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10-09-2012, 01:49 PM	#17
jpirelli Power is nothing without control 33 Rep 762 Posts Drives: E90 + E92 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Southeast/Southwest iTrader: (3)	Can it be done w/o dropping the subframe? N54.
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10-09-2012, 02:23 PM	#19
themyst Major General 177 Rep 6,631 Posts Drives: '16 MK7 GTI Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (8)	Meh, subframe drops take 45 minutes with an air compressor tank and two sets of hands. Honestly though, it makes me glad I have CPO. __________________ E90 LCI N54 6AT
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10-09-2012, 02:34 PM	#20
MDORPHN Colonel 291 Rep 2,898 Posts Drives: AW 1M Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wash, DC iTrader: (0)	Related question for those of you who have removed the oil pan-- does it have sufficient baffling for use of road race courses? Neil
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10-09-2012, 02:40 PM	#21
creaminz Major General 545 Rep 7,705 Posts Drives: E90 LCI Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: So. Cal iTrader: (33)	I got mine done as well around 60,000 miles on odo by LTBMW.
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10-09-2012, 02:46 PM	#22
bmerguy Private First Class 9 Rep 131 Posts Drives: 335i sedan Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: sd iTrader: (8)	Just had mine done along with the transmission sleeve leak. CPO FTW
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