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Thread: Broken bolt in oil pan

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    15
    My Cars
    325i 2001

    Broken bolt in oil pan

    HELP!!!

    I was loosening the bolt to drain the oil. It was on pretty good, but I was able to get it off. When I was putting it back on, I set my torque wrench to 18lbs (25NM) and as I was tightening it, the bolt broke off. Need your advice. I am thinking that I will have to drop the oil pan and drill the bolt. Any advice or suggestions.

    quachi

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    15
    My Cars
    325i 2001
    Oh yeah, the car is a 2001 325i.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Thompsons Station, TN
    Posts
    470
    My Cars
    2006 330i
    First go buy a new bolt. 2nd drill a starter hole for an e-z out. Then insert ez out and screw it in. The bolt will come out as you turn the ez out. You should be able to pull it out without any problems. Just go slow. Drain oil and start again. Good luck

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Universal Mind
    Posts
    1,169
    My Cars
    CBR 1000F
    There's no need to remove the oil pan to remove the broken plug. Many of those drain plugs are hollow and don't need to be drilled. If it screwed in easily, it should also screw out easily.

    Have a new plug on hand before removing the old one.
    Beißen Mein Wiener!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    15
    My Cars
    325i 2001
    Thanks guys. I did just as you recommended and it worked just fine. You guys are awesome. Now, I'm back and running.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Lafayette, California
    Posts
    230
    My Cars
    E36 325is Bmw
    what size ez out should i use for my 93 325is i just broke my bolt

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Lubbock, TX
    Posts
    68
    My Cars
    93 BMW 318is
    yea when i changed my oil in my 318 i broke my bolt too...but luckly it already had a hole through the middle....it was an easy fix. just take your time with it, and you will be back on the road in no time.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    So.California
    Posts
    19,642
    My Cars
    1995 M3
    Kind of calls for a topside extractor vacuum thingy eh?
    No broken bolts, but they are typically more expensive.

    Some people have had the bolt end up inside the pan.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2001
    Location
    Hilliard, Ohio
    Posts
    11,248
    My Cars
    1995 M3 - 1966 Mustang 2+2 - 2003 Z4
    Quote Originally Posted by mbogosia
    First go buy a new bolt. 2nd drill a starter hole for an e-z out.
    NO! As soon as you touch the clockwise rotating drill bit to the broken bolt, you'll spin it right in to the oil pan. The broken off part should unthread easily and should already be hollow. If it's not and you can't get a grip on it to unthread it, cut a slot in the end with a Dremel and unscrew it with a flat blade screwdriver.
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  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Lubbock, TX
    Posts
    68
    My Cars
    93 BMW 318is
    all you have to do is get an easy out....it spins counterclock wise....so it will get tighter when you try to back the bolt out.....well thats what i did. sorry bimmer95 i didn't read the post that you replied to. thats a good idea if you dont have a hollow bolt.

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