Oil Pan Removal on the 545

OK the newest oil leak on the 545i is the oil pan. Looks like there is a weld hair line crack where the oil plug screws into. Looks like it is best just to put a new pan in rather than remove and have welded.

Anyone remove the oil pan on the 545i. Looks straight forward I am just hoping that there is no motor mount removal or any subframe hardware. Should I just be able to remove the support pan to gain access and just unbolt the oil pan section.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/thumbs/r/p/128.png

Originally Posted by Hogie

OK the newest oil leak on the 545i is the oil pan. Looks like there is a weld hair line crack where the oil plug screws into. Looks like it is best just to put a new pan in rather than remove and have welded.

Anyone remove the oil pan on the 545i. Looks straight forward I am just hoping that there is no motor mount removal or any subframe hardware. Should I just be able to remove the support pan to gain access and just unbolt the oil pan section.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/thumbs/r/p/128.png

Sounds like the bolt was over-torqued causing the hairline crack.

I believe that the engine has to be lifted to remove/replace the pan. Big job.

Remember that oil leaks from above the pan will spread over the oil pan and collect near the drain plug so make sure it's not coming from areas above the pan.

The N62 is guaranteed to leak from key areas above the pan.

Originally Posted by mrgrumpy

The N62 is guaranteed to leak from key areas above the pan.

This was a "feature" of the N62, it was designed to encourage people to get a 550 and then an F10 550

I've seen pictures of this being done on a 7 series where they used an engine hoist to hold the engine (BMW has a special tool that mounts to the shock towers that does the same thing), then dropping all of the front suspension/cradle to get at the oil pan.

Doesn't sound like a fun one

If I was faced with this, and did not have the desire to pay to have the motor pulled, I would try to fill the crack with JB Weld. Let the flaming begin!

Originally Posted by cadillacbart

If I was faced with this, and did not have the desire to pay to have the motor pulled, I would try to fill the crack with JB Weld. Let the flaming begin!

No flaming, if you don't have the time/skill/money to do it properly this could be a quick, albeit temporary solution. Eventually it would need a more permanent remedy.

Originally Posted by cadillacbart

If I was faced with this, and did not have the desire to pay to have the motor pulled, I would try to fill the crack with JB Weld. Let the flaming begin!

Consider yourself flamed


OK - The results are in...

Easy.... The 545i oil pan is in different sections. 1 cast and 1 steel. The drain plug is in the steel section and can be removed by:

1. Put the front on jack stands
2. Remove both forward and rear carriage covers
3. Remove the reinforcement plate - Shiny metal plate that covers oil pan
4. Drain oil - duh
5. Disconnect the oil level sending connection

6. Remove the bolts and leave two in-place to catch the pan as it drops

7. That is it - This was well designed (except for my plug insert



Wow I have 182K miles and the inside of this pan was CLEAN!!. Wiped it out and it was shiny metal clean, wow.

I am having the plug thread insert rewelded. Guy has a nice mig and states it will be straight forward.

I'll post the outcome tomorrow.

Cool, good deal, glad it worked out that easy (so far).