A new oil pan gasket, a new dipstick tube seal, and suitable gasket sealant will be required for installation. Begin by applying the parking brake, jacking up the front of the vehicle, and securely supporting it on jackstands. Remove the engine splash shield and drain the engine oil. Coupes manufactured before November 1999 and Sedans and Sport Wagons manufactured before December 2000 have a triangular-shaped tubular front end reinforcement that must be detached by removing the mounting bolts, while later models feature an aluminum reinforcement plate. Unscrew the retaining bolts or nuts to remove the alternator air ducting, then take out the air filter housing. To remove the oil pan, suspend the engine and lower the front crossmember using an engine lifting hoist or support fixture. Disconnect the transmission fluid lines from the transmission oil pan, being prepared for fluid spillage. Detach the oil return hose from the oil separator and pull the dipstick guide tube and return hose from the oil pan, discarding the O-ring seal. Ensure the steering wheel is straight and engage the steering lock, making alignment marks before loosening the pinch-bolt and separating the joint from the pinion. Remove the drivebelt, unbolt the power steering support bracket, and move the pump aside while keeping the fluid lines connected. Unscrew the nuts securing the engine mounts and raise the engine slightly, ensuring no brake lines are trapped. Unclip any lines, hoses, and wiring from the engine mounting brackets and oil pan, then remove the control arm brackets and separate the left inner balljoint from the chassis. Unscrew the stabilizer bar clamp bolts, support the crossmember with a floor jack, and remove the crossmember-to-chassis bolts before lowering it carefully. Disconnect the front suspension ride-level sensor if equipped, and the oil level sensor harness connector at the bottom of the oil pan. Remove all oil pan retaining bolts, noting that some are accessible through the transmission bellhousing, and lower the oil pan to the ground before removing the gasket. For installation, clean the mating surfaces of the oil pan and engine block, lightly coat the areas where the crankshaft rear oil seal housing and front timing chain cover join the engine block with RTV sealant, and place the gasket on the oil pan flange. Install the oil pan to the engine block, ensuring the gasket stays in place, and reinstall the retaining bolts, tightening them finger-tight initially. Gradually tighten the oil pan-to-engine block bolts from the center outward, then tighten the transmission-to-engine bolts. Reassemble by ensuring no pipes, hoses, or wiring are trapped when raising the crossmember, installing new bolts and tightening them, securing the suspension fasteners, and engine mount nuts. Finally, install the drivebelt, replace the O-ring seal when installing the dipstick tube, refill the engine with oil, and check the transmission fluid level on automatic transmission models.
Posted by BMWPartsDeal Specialist 
