Author Topic: Engine failure due to pan gasket shift/bolt loss (e30 only) (Read 143320 times)

sheepdog · « **Reply #15 on:** May 27, 2006, 05:01:59 PM »

I just fired off an email, to them regarding what we are finding.

ak96ss · « **Reply #16 on:** June 01, 2006, 04:21:00 PM »

Did mine today - everything was about as tight as when it was put together...

romkasponka · « **Reply #17 on:** June 02, 2006, 04:46:55 AM »

I think 1 hour in race track will solve your problems

Eurospec · « **Reply #18 on:** June 05, 2006, 09:56:03 PM »

Anyone recall the size of the bolts?

sheepdog · « **Reply #19 on:** June 05, 2006, 10:56:29 PM »

M6x18 according to realoem.com

sheepdog · « **Reply #20 on:** June 06, 2006, 12:57:52 AM »

Bolt torque depends on quality of the bolts.

Stock bolts the proper torque is: 10 nm (89 in-lb)
Better high end bolts (higher grade) can go 12nm (9ft-lb) *Note the change to foot pounds.

Jim at Metric Mechanic recommends adding about 10-20%, but that is your call.
Thank Eurospec for finding those.

I also added a note regarding the 2 rearmost bolts, apparently there is access ports in the bellhousing.

Eurospec · « **Reply #21 on:** June 06, 2006, 08:33:09 PM »

I've removed all the lower pan bolts yet the pan won't come loose, any suggestions? A rubber mallet would seem useful howver, I don't have one.

edit: figured it out

kowalski · « **Reply #22 on:** June 10, 2006, 02:34:49 PM »

just pulled mine off today, had a bolt lying in the pan, i was lucky i think i ended up better off cause of my skid plate protecting the pan...

dhirsch · « **Reply #23 on:** June 21, 2006, 11:33:57 AM »

I changed my lower oil pan back in October when I got my car. Found 3 bolts laying in the pan and a few others that were loose. Nice to know it's not just my 220,000 mile car that did this.

A friend of mine just destroyed his M42 by driving it after the oil light warning went on.....i wonder if this is what happened

sheepdog · « **Reply #24 on:** June 21, 2006, 12:16:32 PM »

Quote from: dhirsch

I changed my lower oil pan back in October when I got my car. Found 3 bolts laying in the pan and a few others that were loose. Nice to know it's not just my 220,000 mile car that did this.

A friend of mine just destroyed his M42 by driving it after the oil light warning went on.....i wonder if this is what happened

From what I have seen there are 2 common oil failures on 318's.

The first is the pan gasket shifting as describved above.

The second is the timing chain (and/or rollers) self destructing and damaging the oil pump housing, which is what happenned to BMWman91 and myself. I suspect it has to do with putting a new tensioner in with a severly worn chain. When i get more info I will post a guide to this issue as well.

///Motorsport · « **Reply #25 on:** June 25, 2006, 10:32:16 PM »

^^^ how much does a lower oil pan cost? i'm getting scared of all of these stories, i better change my oil soon.

sheepdog · « **Reply #26 on:** June 26, 2006, 03:28:48 AM »

Quote from: ///Motorsport

^^^ how much does a lower oil pan cost? i'm getting scared of all of these stories, i better change my oil soon.

The pan itself is not a problem, unless yours is damaged. At most you need a lower pan gasket in order to check this.

achtungE30 · « **Reply #27 on:** June 26, 2006, 02:52:01 PM »

Quote from: sheepdog

From what I have seen there are 2 common oil failures on 318's.

The first is the pan gasket shifting as describved above.

The second is the timing chain (and/or rollers) self destructing and damaging the oil pump housing, which is what happenned to BMWman91 and myself. I suspect it has to do with putting a new tensioner in with a severly worn chain. When i get more info I will post a guide to this issue as well.

So should I hold off on a new tensioner till you can confirm this???

M42boy · « **Reply #28 on:** June 26, 2006, 03:23:50 PM »

Quote from: sheepdog

The pan itself is not a problem, unless yours is damaged. At most you need a lower pan gasket in order to check this.

Bull$hit! I think these things warp (and some crack) with age, making the problem even worse. I considered replacing mine, but I just had it electrostatically cleaned and inspected it carefully.

A new lower pan is only $100. Check Bavarian Autosport at http://www.bavauto.com

I also replaced all the bolts with new ones and put loctite on the ones on the inside. I found three lying in my pan when I dropped it. :eek:

sheepdog · « **Reply #29 on:** June 27, 2006, 12:55:50 AM »

Quote from: M42boy

Bull$hit! I think these things warp (and some crack) with age, making the problem even worse. I considered replacing mine, but I just had it electrostatically cleaned and inspected it carefully.

A new lower pan is only $100. Check Bavarian Autosport at http://www.bavauto.com

I also replaced all the bolts with new ones and put loctite on the ones on the inside. I found three lying in my pan when I dropped it. :eek:

I responded based on the fact that it sounded like he thought the pan itself was responsible for this. It is not. It is merely bolts falling out and the gasket slipping out of possition.

If you pan is not damaged, then there is no need to replace it.

Can the pan warp? Possibly, however there should not be enough heat there to do that and even then, it is not likely to be a problem re-installing even if it is warped a bit. Cracks and damage from impacts can definately occur, and you should inspect it while you have it off, but again, unless there is something wrong with it, then you should not need to replace it.

It is a non-wearing item, same as a valve cover.