Author Topic: Oil pan removal (Read 2870 times)

derek9702 · « **on:** December 06, 2008, 05:18:01 PM »

I am in the process of taking off my oil pan and was wondering if anyone has used the crank pulley as a support when pulling the subframe. Is it better to use one of those engine supports and connect it to the motor mounts? Also, is there a way to do this without pulling the subframe

JP 91iS · « **Reply #1 on:** December 07, 2008, 08:30:22 AM »

Don't use the crank pulley as a place to support the engine! It is definitely far better to support the engine at the mounts or from the upper mounting point. There is a ring on the front/top of the engine that you can use to hook the engine to a cherry picker or support bar.

I don't know if you have a Harbor Freight near you, but I picked up one of these engine support bars. It was $50 and works great.

ak96ss · « **Reply #2 on:** December 07, 2008, 08:38:48 AM »

Quote from: JP 91iS;62387

Don't use the crank pulley as a place to support the engine! It is definitely far better to support the engine at the mounts or from the upper mounting point. There is a ring on the front/top of the engine that you can use to hook the engine to a cherry picker or support bar.

I don't know if you have a Harbor Freight near you, but I picked up one of these engine support bars. It was $50 and works great.

How does that support bar work - it braces on the fenders and holds the engine in place? I may have to get one of those....

JP 91iS · « **Reply #3 on:** December 07, 2008, 01:16:14 PM »

Quote from: ak96ss;62388

How does that support bar work - it braces on the fenders and holds the engine in place? I may have to get one of those....

Kenika65 has one:

It just rests on the fenders and you hang the engine from it. I saw a drawing of one in the E36 Bentley too. In this picture it looks like he dropped chains down around the motor mounts. Depending on what I'm doing, I usually just attach it to the top/front hook ring.

derek9702 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 07, 2008, 03:00:07 PM »

I completed the removal without an engine support, as I could not find one locally and wanted to get it done today. After scratching my head for a while, trying to make one out of a 4x4 and come alongs, not very stable, I was able to put the car on stands and use a section of 4x4 and a floor jack. I placed the 4x4 under the transmission, in the bell housing area, and was able to support it. I then dropped the subframe and pulled the pan. Thanks for all of the input.

KenC · « **Reply #5 on:** December 07, 2008, 08:21:40 PM »

I just used a deadman jack right on the bellhousing.