Oil pan gasket

[RRSperry]

Ok, after 23 years, it’s time.. is there an advantage to using the BMW part, or are all pan gaskets basically equal?

and within reason, anything to do while I’m there? (I will be staking the opn, as a given)

[Braymond141]

Ok, after 23 years, it’s time.. is there an advantage to using the BMW part, or are all pan gaskets basically equal?

and within reason, anything to do while I’m there? (I will be staking the opn, as a given)

Corteco is listed as OEM. I would go with this and make sure silicone is used at the frint timing cover and rear main seal seams.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/M3/Oil-Pan-Gasket/?year=1998&m=20&e=195

Good time to do the Z3 2.8 oil pump pick up tube and oil pump nut!

[ScotcH]

I've used VR for years on all our engines ... only HG I stay away from VR, but otherwise, VR, Erling, Goetze all seem fine for any seals and gaskets.

The oil pump tube attachment gets broken sometimes, so check it's still on and not loose at all. Otherwise, I suppose you could pull the pump and have it inspected for wear, but really, not much goes wrong there.

[GG///M3]

Erling FTW

[RRSperry]

So in other words, for the oil pan, a gasket is a gasket. Ok Brett, why is the 2.8 z3 tube a good thing?

[craigjimc]

As a resident of Hanover, MD, I am curious as to which shop you will use for the gasket replacement or are you a DIY? My M3 needs some work & I would appreciate a recommendation. Thank you.

[RRSperry]

As a resident of Hanover, MD, I am curious as to which shop you will use for the gasket replacement or are you a DIY? My M3 needs some work & I would appreciate a recommendation. Thank you.

Shop? lol... Nobody has worked on my car other than a warranty dashboard fix, and alignments, since I ordered it 23.5 years ago.. Ok, that said, what do you need done?

[craigjimc]

Car needs preventative maintenance replacement of selector shaft seal, shift rod coupling & shift console rear bushing. Last done 106,000 miles ago. Tough to replace with car on jack stands as a 72-yr old with a bad back.

[RRSperry]

The selector shaft seal is a bitch.... as is the coupling with the transmission in the car.. It is doable , but.. I'd suggest Ed York in Mt Airy Md...

[bluptgm3]

The selector shaft seal is a bitch.... as is the coupling with the transmission in the car.. It is doable , but.. I'd suggest Ed York in Mt Airy Md...

Randy Forbes has indicated that he simply drives the existing seal into the housing a bit further (socket over selector shaft) and installs a new seal on top of old seal.
He has also discovered a $50 BMW factory tool to remove the seal.
BMW 83 30 3 219 637


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[craigjimc]

Many thanks!

[RRSperry]

Ya can’t argue with buying tools..lol

[JitteryJoe]

I added an oil pan baffle. About $150. I also used a reinforced pickup tube just to make sure the pickup head didn't crack at the weld and lose oil pressure as a result. You can easily argue that both are overkill.
You could also argue that the pump itself is a wearable item.

[TostitoBandito]

I used a VR gasket when I did mine earlier this year. And yeah, "while I was in there" I sprang for a reinforced/rebuilt pump/pickup and a baffle from Achilles Motorsport. Their reinforced pump replaces the nut with a bolt which threads into the shaft itself, which I think is a better design. And yes, it is drilled for and comes with a wire so you can tie it to the sprocket. Or if you weld just save some time and tack it in there.

[blckstrm]

Shop? lol... Nobody has worked on my car other than a warranty dashboard fix, and alignments, since I ordered it 23.5 years ago.. Ok, that said, what do you need done?

Ha - man after my own heart!

[RRSperry]

46736711_2138939629470925_7402677568345735168_n.jpggetting ready...

[GG///M3]

Fancy under hood shot

[RRSperry]

Well you can see the Corvette and my Kawasaki C14. lol The Aprilia is hiding.

[SpazE36]

46736711_2138939629470925_7402677568345735168_n.jpggetting ready...

Man that's clean!


I just recently did an oil pan gasket and oil pump nut fix in my S52 swap. I ended up using VR gasket although it looked better than I thought it would, I typically go Elring on any BMW gaskets. I did the tack weld on the oil pump nut with my TIG welder and also did the small "dab" of Ultra-Grey at the timing case cover to block joint.

So far we've put about 700 miles car since the job and it is dry as a bone underneath car. I also replaced all oil pan fasteners, but I'm just anal like that hahaa


IMG_1645

IMG_1642

IMG_1660


I'd also be sure to grab the oil-dip-stick tube o-ring and replace while you are in there, you probably already thought of that though

Part Number:11-43-1-740-045

IMG_1650

[RRSperry]

Thanks, it is pretty clean. But it's lived its whole life in the garage, and bearly gets driven anymore. It's only got 78K miles... (almost all of them mine.. My wofe drove it once, made her ill...lol)

Yep I ordered a new O Ring, but I'm sure I've got one stashed away.. I am a packrat...

What did you do to that pan? Put it in the dishwasher? (My wife would kill me...) I want mine that clean...

[ScotcH]

What did you do to that pan? Put it in the dishwasher? (My wife would kill me...) I want mine that clean...

We bring ours to our engine guy ... he has a huge sonic cleaner But a parts washer, or even a few cans of brake clean will do it as well ... unless it's all oxidized, then you gotta get out the wire wheel

[RRSperry]

So basically a machine shop.. cool.

[SpazE36]

Thanks, it is pretty clean. But it's lived its whole life in the garage, and bearly gets driven anymore. It's only got 78K miles... (almost all of them mine.. My wofe drove it once, made her ill...lol)

Yep I ordered a new O Ring, but I'm sure I've got one stashed away.. I am a packrat...

What did you do to that pan? Put it in the dishwasher? (My wife would kill me...) I want mine that clean...

I used everything from K1 kerosene to CRC Brake Wash, about 2 cans... misc. brass and soft stainless brushes, purple power, and elbow grease. The inside of the pan is nearly that clean also, it just satisfies me when something as cool as our aluminum pans with heat-sinks on them look like jewelry haha.

I let the pan soak in kerosene over night and that broke up the majority of the gunk, then the rest was just spray-scrub-rinse.

I use soda blast to clean my M30 timing cover and pan, that worked really well it just makes a mess.

IMG_1637

[RRSperry]

Yeah, no. machine shop it is...lol Although I might lacquer it when it's done... Just to keep it purdy...

[NoLastName]

I cleaned mine with brake cleaner, brushes, and elbow grease too. Takes a while but totally worth it for that minty fresh feeling. I guess you can think of it either as a calming experience or a complete waste of time. Machine shop cleaning is easiest for sure.

RRSperry - is your valve cover original or did you replace it? I had to buy a brand new one to get mine looking as good as yours.