BMW E90 oil pan gasket replacement with Harbor Freight engine support bar

Using a Harbor Freight engine support bar with chains around engine mounts instead of a 3-point bar with the BMW tow hook. Very basic instructions on replacing oil pan gasket. Mostly just showing an alternative (arguably safer) alternative for engine support during the project.

[@user-jn7or4ry3p]

Hope it works, going to try it out now. I was like oh no I purchase the wrong supprt beam and I'm in the middle of a trying to get to my turbo and. What to do, hope this works out because it would save my day.

[@mofopopo437]

Thanks for postibg I'm doing this crazy job now!!! 😵

[@rikobananas6]

Thanks for uploading your method- really helpful

[@davek471]

Looks like loads of fun!

[@freestylette]

Loads and loads.

[@seanpaul3050]

You can grind down the tow hook a bit with an angle grinder. It will then screw in all the way into the engine. I think that’s better than using chains like this.

[@Mr318live]

Thanks for the video

[@firasalwakeel5365]

One of the best oil pan tips video. I wish u could have walked us through entire process. Was that room worked well for you? I have seen a lot ppl starting off this way and then realized it would take more time, and eventually decided to take the subframe completely off.

[@freestylette]

Yes, I did have enough room. I just disconnected the subframe so it could drop about 3 inches. You do have to twist and jiggle the pan a little bit to get it out. Way less work than completely removing the entire subframe though. This way you can leave the suspension, steering and brake systems together.

[@firasalwakeel5365]

Simon Kirschman Thank you so much. I have noticed even u did not jack up the car from the back, as well left the steering column bolted along with the cooling lines. Great job!! One other thing, all in all, how long it took you? Thanks

[@freestylette]

It took me about 5 or 6 hours total. I started one evening and finished the next day.

[@BreezeLock]

Just got this from Harbor Freight as well to work on my e82. Do you notice play in the triangle foot pieces? Mine seems to have excessive play allowing the bar to tilt, and also move slightly left and right after everything is tightened down.

[@freestylette]

Yeah, I think the play is there by design so that they can sit on the fenders that may not be flat. While I was using it, the weight pulling straight down made it sturdy enough and I felt pretty good about it. Did it do pretty well while your engine was hanging on it for you?

[@BreezeLock]

Simon Kirschman Okay makes sense, did some research and it looks like a lot of people have the same feedback. I haven’t used it yet, just purchased it today and put it together to look it over before using it this weekend to drop my subframe.

[@Val_tini.]

Can I reuse the oil pan bolts on 2008 528i e60 n52k?

[@seanpaul3050]

You can. But better to get new. Aluminum bolts are soft. They can snap. Or the threads can strip. New set of bolts from bmw is not very expensive.

[@simplelangperorock]

This makes a lot of sense. Why remove all the front suspensions for a stupid gasket. One comment: next time, Move your camera ‘slower.’ Thank you

[@silviataylor92]

Hi, Should you warm up your car in really cold weather??

[@tomlarocque4720]

Nope, new cars do not require this.