318ti.org forum

Go Back   318ti.org forum > Technical, Maintenance and Modifications > Maintenance

Notices

Maintenance Service Interval questions, oil change info.

.
» Recent Threads
1999 M-Sport For Sale
12-31-2023 05:10 PM
Last post by Coop540iT
03-23-2024 06:39 PM
1 Replies, 96,579 Views
Once again 318ti owner...
03-20-2024 12:39 PM
Last post by two30grain
03-22-2024 02:04 PM
1 Replies, 59,586 Views
What brakes do I...
03-20-2024 03:27 PM
Last post by huirtera
03-20-2024 03:27 PM
0 Replies, 56,913 Views
M50+manual swap bastard...
03-01-2024 11:00 PM
Last post by Andy318
03-18-2024 02:34 PM
3 Replies, 131,957 Views
Reply Share/Bookmark
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-01-2006, 09:48 PM   #1
PHL
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Filthiest city in the world, USA
Posts: 60
iTrader: (0)
Default BMW garage may have cracked oil pan

Just had to vent here. Three weeks ago, I took my 95 Sport into a garage that specializes in BMWs. I had 81K on a car that I bought in March of this year, so I thought I should have the Inspection II done by a professional, rather than doing it myself. Perhaps, they would identify problem areas that I had overlooked when I bought the car. When I pick the car up, they recommended I put new pads in the rear, but nothing other than that.

Well, last night I noticed motor oil on the ground below. Checked it again this morning, and same thing, but not as much. I take it to a garage near my house. Put it up on the lift, take a look underneath, and notice a small hairline crack about the length of a thumbnail on the oil pan near the drain bolt. The crack runs parallel to the bolt (I didn't have my camera so I can't post any pictures). We come to the same conclusion, someone over torqued the bolt.

I'm taking it to the BMW "specialists" on Tuesday, after the holiday weekend. Haven't told them about the crack, nor the fact that I suspect they are at fault.

Of course, two sides to every story (and this post is becoming quite a long one). It has been three weeks. And, I made a 700 mile trip from Philly to the tip of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan and back. Furthermore, I ran something over when I was pinned by a car and a semi on the highway. It broke a plastic "deflector" in front of the rear passenger wheel that prevents any debris from lodging into the rear wheel well. However, the oil pan, nor anything in the front for that matter, is undamaged. No dents or pits. Just a leaky oil pan.

Any recommendations for me when I go back to the garage on Tuesday? I'm not looking forward to it.
PHL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2006, 01:05 AM   #2
1996 328ti
Senior Member
 
1996 328ti's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 9,356
Vehicles
iTrader: (1)
Default

Replacing an oilpan is expense. If it's like the 328, the engine has to be lifted slightly. The expense goes to labor. I have read these costing $700.00.
__________________
...steven
BMW CCA #146825
1996 BMW 328ti • 2003 MINI Cooper S • 2016 M235i
www.bmwcca.org
1996 328ti is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2006, 02:33 PM   #3
scabzzzz
Senior Member
 
scabzzzz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Cashville,TN
Posts: 124
iTrader: (0)
Default

You could probably do it yourself if you had to. Buy a torque wrench. Go get a pan off a wrecked 318 of some sort. Should be too bad. But at least go pull a pan or buy one used before the shop rapes you. Make sure the pan is super cleaned on the bottom though for assurance
__________________

Mmm..
scabzzzz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2006, 06:13 PM   #4
PHL
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Filthiest city in the world, USA
Posts: 60
iTrader: (0)
Default

I really hope welding is the answer. Looking at the Bentley manual, DIY is not a pretty picture. It involves supporting the engine, removing the suspension crossmember and various other parts of the steering system. Not fun. On the plus side, "installation is reverse of removal"... Has anyone worked on their oil pan? Any tips?

I did change my shocks and springs myself, but this seems a little over my head. My impact wrench will make things easier, but still. My maintenance plan for the car was R&R of the entire cooling system, RTABs, and then LCAs and bushings. This will push things back a little.
PHL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2006, 07:23 PM   #5
DustenT
doesn't care about you.
 
DustenT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 3,925
iTrader: (0)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1996 328ti View Post
Replacing an oilpan is expense. If it's like the 328, the engine has to be lifted slightly. The expense goes to labor. I have read these costing $700.00.
You should be able to rent one of the engine support braces. You can raise the engine from bellow with a jack and use the engine support braces to hold it in place. Take advantage of the situation and replace your subframe bushings and sway bar bushings, LCABs, control arms and ball joints and install an X-brace. Or just do an engine swap.
__________________

'99 Dinan M3
DustenT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2006, 07:43 PM   #6
CptnNemo
Member
 
CptnNemo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Braintree MA
Posts: 43
iTrader: (0)
Default

This may be a really stupid suggestion as I am not as mechanically experienced as many people here. But if you have not taken the drain bolt off or loosened it, take your torque wrench with you and show them how much force it takes to remove it. In my experience with mechanics, the guys who are good to you and moral arn't the best techinical mechanics, and the ones that really know their **** don't give a damn about you. Doing it yourself is always better.
CptnNemo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2006, 09:07 PM   #7
roadrash
That's not Millpoint Blue
 
roadrash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: BNA
Posts: 3,161
Vehicles
iTrader: (2)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by PHL View Post
I really hope welding is the answer.
I was wondering about that as an option. Is there any chance that the crack could be welded (or soldered, or brazed?) without removing the pan? Yes, I do know that welding requires heat and oil is flammable. heh heh Just asking in case someone has done this sort of thing.

From what I've read about bicycle frame construction methods, I know that there are a variety of methods of joining metal parts and each requires a different amount of heat.
__________________
Real men know how to SEARCH!
THIS IS A MILLPOINT BLUE INTERIOR

Mods 'n' stuff: Star Spoke 43 wheels - X-Brace - Mason Engineering front strut brace - CF gauge overlay - ZHP shifter knob - Racing Dynamics cat-back - Doubled brake lights - M-tech rear spoiler
From Page 68 of the 1997 Owners Manual: "Vehicles equipped with ASC+T remain subject to the laws of physics."
roadrash is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-03-2006, 02:26 AM   #8
pdxmotorhead
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Portland Or
Posts: 2,666
iTrader: (1)
Default

Go to a GOOD marine shop that works on boat outdrives.
They are used to this kind of repair. A good tig welder will
be able to weld it right up with little problem.

Now,,, Remember, welds can crack, he's pulling a hail mary for you.
If it doesn't work You now get to change the oil pan. It may not
crack for a LONG LONG time, it make crack 5 minutes later (Not likely).

Are you sure its a crack? They didn't just forget the copper washer on the drain plug? Or accidentaly re-use the old one?

Dave
__________________
Dave - PDX
1995 318ti - Active Black and Tan.
2005 330xi - Mtech 1 - 6spd - Orient Blue/Black
pdxmotorhead is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:07 PM.


.
Powered by site supporters
vBulletin Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©1999 - 2024, 318ti.org
© vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2
[page compression: 87.11 k/102.91 k (15.35%)]

318ti.org does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information or products discussed.