BMW E46 3 Series 1999-2005 Oil Pan Gasket Replacement DIY 

Good job. Very informative without all the BS. And you didn't sit and talk for 10 minutes prior to starting like most folks do. Subbed

00:19 - Putting car on jack stands 01:32 - Drain Engine oil / Change filter 05:02 - Remove Intake Scoup, Cooling Fan, FIlter Housing, DISA Valve, Upper/Lower Elbow Boot 09:18 - Remove Oil Dipstick 10:55 - Remove Engine Mount Screws 11:44 - Remove Power Steering Hose 12:55 - Remove belts and power steering pump 15:28 - Install engine support bar 17:14 - Remove front subframe 25:38 - Remove Oil Pan 31:03 - Put everything back together.

Some helpful tips when doing this. * use two cable ties to keep the gasket in place on the pan before putting the first two bolts. Keep the cable ties slightly loose not to damage the gasket rubber. * screw in the first two bolts in far opposite sides. Do not tighten them, since we're just alighning the pan to the block. This helps align all the holes, the gasket and the pan properly without damaging anything.

You took a time consuming job and added more time due to filming and editing the process. Making all our lives easier. Thank you for your patience and sharing your knowledge Han! Keep them coming. Without yours and others videos many of these cars would be scrapped. Lighting and camera angles are fantastic. Anyone who watches this and 50's kid's video can do this job with no issues

Thanks for the video, I just replaced mine. this job was tough but definitley doable and to think BMW dealerships will bend you over for your hard earned money. keep the videos coming, very informative and empowering.

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. Camera work is extraordinary considering the difficult angles, lighting challenges and confined spaces. The time markers by subject at the beginning of the video is most useful. I watched the entire process in one sitting so your strict adherence to showing each step allowed me to stay focused. The speeding up technique is a fantastic way to insure every step is shown without causing tedium. I would pay to see you tear down a 2012 E92 335i (N55) and rebuild in this fashion! Great work!

Good video! I remember doing my oil pan gasket on my 2001 330Ci - which lead to replacing the engine mounts because why not. Then, I decided to do the power steering lines, control arms and bushings, cooling system, belts and yes - with 160K miles I decided to replace the clutch. I've enjoyed working on this car and it doesn't hurt to have a connection with a parts guy. Keep up the good work!

I will be following this page as long as I have my E46.. So what I am saying is, I will be following this page for the rest of my life/the life of RU-vid. Thank you so much to Han and the garage of genius! I am forever grateful. Forever in your debt, New E46 Student

If not the best, this is one of the most detailed and effective videos I have seen on this topic - THANK YOU! You put some of the so-called BMD experts like Dr. BMW and Nathan to SHAME! Keep up the great work.

*Just a small add on:* When you put the pan back do not tighten the screws in a clock or counterclockwise manner. Screw them all in like you want to but do not tighten them. Just so the pan has a very light contact with the gasket and the gasket with the engine block. This is the moment you can slightly modify the position of the gasket if you feel like it. But in most cases it is not nescessary as it will self center due to the position of the holes and screws. After all the screws are snug start tightening them in a sort of star cross order to avoid the pan to warp and have minor inperfect contact spots where the oil will later leak (which is IMO probably why the author advises to place some red paste at certain spots to promote better contact). When the pan has no chance to warp you won't get any inperfect spots around the gasket. This is probably also a good time to change the oil level sensor if you have around 150k KM down and the sensor hasn't been replaced yet. But it is not that important. If it goes bad you can always wait until the next oil change and do it later. Happy fixing :)

Well done on the video. That is a time-consuming job that most folks would not take on. Thank you for helping those that will.

TIP: You dont have to remove the P steering pump completely, just remove the top bolt and loosen the bottom one and move it out of the way, there is more than enough clearance to continue.

Wow, this video is amazing, quite therapeutic to watch also, great job with it! I cant believe they made it so difficult to access just for a simple oil pan there's a lot of work to be done.

Excellent camera work, size references, speed ups. Even shows you how to change your oil at the end in case you've made it to that point in life without knowing. Wish me luck in the job. Thanks Han!

I just bought a 2000 BMW 323i. and I love this car, thank you for posting this video it's extremely helpful

Very informative, I must say! Mr. Han, I have a 525xl gasket pan is leaking. Need oil every month for the past 2 months. You helped a great deal. If I had my own garage I could do some of the work myself, especially with your detailed video. Just need a socket wrench and its extension to get in places I’m not able to with a plier, 4 head screw driver, etc

Woah, even though you provided more than enough info, I'm definitely not confident enough in my mechanical knowledge to tackle something like this yet 😂

A very helpful video. One thing to consider -- if you leave the steering gear attached to the axle carrier (aka subframe) you avoid having to perform a wheel alignment. From the TIS: A wheel/chassis alignment check must be carried out after the following work: Release of following screw/bolt connections: Steering gear to front axle carrier Support bearing to body (if centering pin is missing) Tie rod end to tie rod

5 star. Thank you for taking the time to share this video. Although my mechanic will be doing the job, It gave me useful information on what other parts to replace while doing the job.

fucken ay man. this is 1 of possibly top 5 videos on RU-vid with great narrating. great work and need i say excellent step by step video. u know what ur doing and amazed how good a video u made. good deal.

One of the best tutorials around, many thanks Han. I noticed that you wound up dropping the sway bar as well. You didn't list it in the intro, but I assume that was needed to free and release the oil pan. Almost all instructions seem to list it and I was wondering why.

I'm back and U FINISHED the job all by myself and I did not take off any of the things you've done. I took off the subframe, and steeri g knuckles and I was there really fast at the oil pan.

Tremendous amount of money saved! Great job!

Very nice video. Dealer wanted about $1500 Did it myself after watching your video several times. Excellent. Thank you. Consider chocking the rear wheels for safety's sake. Thanks again

Just like so many others have already stated. This is an Excellent, well shot, and well narrated video. Very clear video references and explanations. Thank you very much for your efforts. It baffles me how anyone can give this a dislike. There is nothing about this video not to like. Anyhow, thanks again, as I will be rolling up my sleeves this weekend to do the very same thing.

Man you name great detailed videos for the e46

WOW, great to see this and all of your other vids on RU-vid. Great job dude.

Have to replace the oil pan gasket on my e36 this was a great go by since I've never done it on my car before! Thanks! And 👏🏽 it's a great video!

A sincere thank you. I am so lucky that people like you are prepared to take the time to share your expertise. Your explanation of this process is the best by far. I could not have faced a job like this without you. You are a legend brother! I subscribed instantly!

A good tip that I use on BMW's and will work with other cars is to use 4-6 short studs same thread as the oil pan bolts, you will install the studs spread out evenly in the short bolt holes not the long. Will need very small rubber o-rings, you slip the gasket in place, put a rubber o-ring over each stud and this will hold the gasket in place. I work alone and this is the way to do it. Even faster than when two people try and install. Install all the bolts not tight, and remove the studs, go slow and in case the rubber seal gets left behind just use a small needle like scribe and can fish out. If you do a later BMW you can cut the old aluminium bolts and make studs from them and they are larger so you can hack saw a screw slot for easy removal. This will be very helpful, especially for a one mechanic operation. Try it!

Holy shoot, great video for a slow visual learner like me. Thank you so much

i have i 330ci 2002 i Just change the housing gasket 2 days ago but Still leaking a little. and i Think is the oil pan. so Thanks to you i Will be trying this next. you are a pro!!!! i Love my car that's Why i Will try to do it. keep up With the great job That you do my brother!!!! Thank you!!!!

While definitely not condoned by BMW, you can do this without removing the subframe if you cut the gasket in two places, then use sealant on the resulting joins - you only need to let the sump down far enough to swap the gaskets out.

the best and most detailed video on You tube that I have seen.....excellent

Thanks for the video. I will be changing my gasket this weekend.

Very nice video and excellent demonstration for teaching

Great video... Really well done! My question is why was it necessary to remove the intake components all the way down to the DISA? Was that just to get the dipstick assembly off? If so, couldn't the dipstick and attached hose be loosened from underneath and then pulled out from above?

Great vid. i was changing out my control arms and thought while i had it apart the oil pan gasket and motor mounts should also be done. i was doing it wrong and would have been totally frustrated. thank you and i will keep my hair this week.

Thanks, very informative, now I know why the local BMW dealership is charging so much for changing at $20 gasket.

Great video ! Thankyou! Going to be doing mine soon

Nice video. Very thorough. A hydraulic jack could have been used to help support the sub-frame and steering column. That would have made life a lot easier.

For anyone with a E36, check that oil pump bolt. Wire lock it if you can.

Incredible DIY by One Man ^^

Really an outstanding video. Great job!

Nice Video... When you R & R the front cooling fan, remember to mention that the fan is reversed threaded...Lefty - THIGHTY, Righty - LOOSEY... Had me spinning the wrong way for a little while. MAHALO

A masterful video, congratulations!

Thanks for the video! I have a 2005 330i and told that the oil pan gasket needs replacing. I'm debating as I've had the car for 3 years and it has 99,000 miles on it. The shop wants $800 for the job. Why so expensive? Labor? Parts? Very informative video!

Sorry to be such a NAG, but please consider some basic clear eye protection. Whenever I have to lay upside down I automatically put them on. I have several within easy reach. I speak from experience as working under one of my vehicles many years ago a small piece of rust entered my eye (no eye protection at that time). No matter what I did I could not flush it out. It was a Saturday and eventually I contacted a personal friend, an eye surgeon and he told me to meet him at his clinic ASAP. It was about a 20 minute drive and by the time I got there my eye was hurting and very red. He put a dye into my eye and retrieved the small rusted piece of metal using a special tweezers after rolling my lid up and out of the way. He said had I continued to attempt to remove it myself I could have badly scratched my cornea. And he gave me a small sample bottle of medicated eye drops to use every day for about a week. As a professional pilot at the time, I was very concerned about potentially ending my career and was very relieved he was able to help me. Now I am very aware of ensuring my eyes are protected anytime I am working under anything. Thank you again for making such an informative, professional video that saved me a ton of money. And I also replaced both my motor mounts with OEM products from Germany. Only thing I did slightly different was I used a pieces of cardboard cut from boxes, punched holes into them and labeled all my fasteners as they came out. I also used separate plastic sandwich bags as well for items that would not fit into the cardboard. Probably a bit over the top, but I took my time to complete the task, waiting for the parts I ordered. As an "extra vehicle" my 2000 323i could just remain in my garage and I could work on it at my leisure and really take my time with each step.

As always, fantastic video tutorial. I’m going to be tackling this job over the weekend. Question for you/the group - why is it necessary to remove the DISA and the intake boots?

Nice walk through brother. Nice walk through indeed. Your new nickname is Han Solo Sky Walkthrough

thank you han's garage! !!

Great Job!! Very informative!!

Thanks for sharing. Great job.

Nice crescent 🔧

I had a pause to watch you try to get that oil pan up there with the gasket when I put the gasket on the block started with a couple screws just to hold it out of the way after you get the pan in place take the screws out I don't know if all of them screws are dead holes if they are not usually put a little sealer on the threads

thank you so much Han

You didn't change oil pump nut while you were there?

Thank You Han 😎👍

Good job man . thanks

Thanks a lot !! Great guy !! Keep the great content up !!

Absolutely fabulous video, ive seen others and just wondered was it necessary to remove the power steering oump and engine mount bolts from the top of the engine, can you not just leave the ps pump on and undo the bottom engine mount bolts from the bottom? Just curious as i want to do this job soon too

Mycket skickligt gjort, jobbar du som bilmekaniker?

Amazing Thanks dude ill do this if i didnt sell my e46 this will not be same as my e39 😁

Very good video, great information, thanks very much

Hey mate your engine support arm is cracked look at the arm on the right upper side 31:00

how can anyone dislike this. how???

Awesome job watched as a refresher, was this a manual trans cause I remember doing this a while back on a automatic and the stupid cooler lines where in the way of the pan bolts.

Thanks very much. Good job!!

It's making a a trumpet noise now I think it's an air leak from somewhere on the oil pan. When I renive my oil filler cap the noise stops for a brief time and it gets louder. I pur the oil filler cap back on and the noise tones down and now I have a small oil leak by the back bolta the goes onto the oil pan.

Isn’t there a specific torque sequence you have to follow? I pretty sure it’s not the way you did it by just going around one by one in a complete circle.

Excellent video. Thank you

Great vid..👍 looks like you could use an electric ratchet wrench.

Thank you for the video Han. I love it will do mine car tomorrow Kindly Regards Hanh Nguyen

When changing the oil pan gasket is it necessary to change the oil level sensor?

Cool thanks keep me posted have a bless day

Han, Great video! Thanks for providing a guide! I just completed this job. I had a question: maybe it’s an M car only thing, but I’d read about priming the oil pump - ie disconnecting fuel injector relay, taking out spark plugs and turning the engine over a few times to get the oil circulating. Did you do that when you did this project? Or maybe it’s just an M-car thing?

Did you disconnect the steering column?

I haven't even watched it but I know would be beyond me

Thanks for that video apreciated

Nice job man, could I take this as a guide for an e36? I bet they are the same.

all that for a oil pan yeah my buddies are going to tackle that job

fantastic video 👍👍👍

Great Job.

Hans Hola Son muy buenos tus videos, pero por favor subelos con subtitulos en Español, desde aca en Chile te saludo

camera good ,good jod

Excellent. I don't think I want to do this job. I'm afraid I may break a bolt.

Excellent!

you forgot to mention to REMOVE "SWAYBAR" LOL

is this the same process for m3? I have a 2004 e46 m3

Best thanks.. I've seen other vids where the engine needs to be supported from above like with a cross beam.. was this not the case with this engine also? I guess not?

Thanks I dont have to loose the steering guibo coupler thing when do this job on my e46 318ci? Thanks

That's a great video clearly mentioning every step. I have a question for you. If there s white smoke(oil burning ) coming off the engine bay exactly under the cabin air filter. I already changed the valve cover gasket clearly that's not the problem. Do you think it's the oil pan gasket? Or where else can the leak be?

a bit crazy that a $14 gasket involves this much work. I got one for free now I just need to actually do it

Great video...question...can you get to the top bolt of the manual transmission when you remove the oil pan...it would be good if you could so you can break the bolt loose if you plan to replace clutch in the near future. Thanks....LR...also: do you need to remove the guibo on the steering column during the removal process to prevent stress on the column.

Thank you

great video man...did u unbolt the steering column???

Thanks Han, great job, would the same ideas apply to the e46 m3?

Nice video, is it the same procedure for E53 x5 3.oL?

did you replace any of the bolts on the bottom of the oil pan, i’m debating whether or not to buy new ones, or if it’s safe to use the old ones

Where's the part you use the engine support bar?