Newbie here...tricks to get oil pan off???

[318isNiteRider]

Hey guys

I have a 97 318is and I am in the process of taking the oil pan off. Is there any tricks or an easiest way to do this?? I have done as much as i can to this point but i have come to the realization that the motor has to come up or the rack and cross frame has to come down??

Any advice and tips would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[DesktopDave]

Yup.  Remove the moot mount nuts & raise the motor with a jack or engine crane.  Be sure to use a bit of scrap ply to spread the load on the pan...you don't want to crack the bottom of the pan.  Then I'd put some more scrap 2x4s under the mount arms to give some room.  It'll still be a pretty tight squeeze, I'll bet.

A rubber mallet is very helpful for breaking loose the gasket material.

[rac3r]

I recently dropped my upper and lower oil pans and used an engine support bar. $80 or so from Harbor Freight. The front subframe has to come out to access the upper oil pan. If you're dropping only the lower pan, you don't need to do anything fancy beyond jacking up the car.