Oil Pan Removal - BMW X3 F25, N20 xDRIVE 2011-2014

[@NicholasGochenaur]

Thanks for the video, super helpful. I just removed the pan from my 2013 x3 xdrive, couple things I did that helped and may help others. I worked on my back and used an engine bar to lift the engine as described by motorcarnut. I was able to reach down in the engine bay from above and remove several hard to access oil pan bolts including the ones near the vent. Additionally, I didn't loosen the transmission, instead I supported the subframe and removed the subframe bolts +stearing rack bolts (with the engine supported from above) and was able to slide the subframe toward the front of the car (while supported by jack stands) a couple of inches to give clearance to dropping the pan.

[@motorcarnut]

Thank you! Appreciated! And thanks for your additional information!!!

[@andrewlee1126]

How to you slide the subframe forward?

[@NicholasGochenaur]

i unbolted it (with engine unbolted and supported), lowered it down a couple of inches with the steering components all attached still (except steering rack, which i unbolted for another reason), then pulled it forward toward the front of the car, i had it supported on jack stands while i did this, after a few inches of movement toward the front of the car, the attached components wouldn't allow it any further, but it was enough to remove the xdrive pan with final drive still attached.@@andrewlee1126

[@thomasschneider2766]

Thank you for posting the only video that covers the F25 N20 oil pan removal! So I got all the bolts out (I think...) but the pan is not budging at all. I tried rubber hammer, lifting the corner tabs but no movement at all. How many bolts am I supposed to have and how did you get the pan loose? Thank you for your support!

[@motorcarnut]

No problem, you’re saying it’s not hanging down, it’s stuck to the block? There is bolts on the driver side that are right under the vent tube and also don’t forget the long ones that go through the oil pan.

[@sbin01]

Thanks for the video. Down to the last bolt. Could not find an e-torx e8 wrench locally anywhere. Dead in the water till Amazon package arrives Saturday. Job wasn't as bad as I thought.

[@motorcarnut]

No problem, Thank you

[@2ndSecond2]

Would the front transfer case removal make the access to the pan bolts easier and the process faster?

[@John-ls5nu]

Cool video don't you wish all the other car companies out there had the same mentality as BMW being functional I don't know if you've ever done an oil pan on an older type Chevy trailblazer with the inline 4.2 6 cylinder what a nightmare it is with that with the front differential assembly bolted to the oil pan it's easier to pull the engine

[@motorcarnut]

Yep, been there done that. BMW isn’t bad but they do require special tools for a lot of repairs, but then again so do most car companies nowadays.

[@mattykinzisland6571]

Do the timing on one of these motors and see how much sense it makes

[@gregoryfedor3223]

I too have a 2013 X3 xDrive. I'll be laying on my back doing this. I will have a engine support so the engine can come up a bit. What would you suggest is a reasonable amount of time to plan for the removal and replacement of the pan? Your videos are a ton of help....Thank you!!!

[@motorcarnut]

Thanks for the comment, it depends on your experience but since you have no lift, plan a weekend to get it done.

[@victoriaparkflyer848]

Thanks for the Video! Is the procedure the same or much different for a 2016 xDrive F25 N20?

[@motorcarnut]

Thank you! , yes very similar

[@lucianatutube]

Questions about loosening up the transmission mount: 1) How did you get the engine to slide back? 2) How much movement do you get. 3) Do you have the remove the exhaust system? I have the oil pan loose but I'm getting hung up on the subframe under the steering rack. I've moved the engine up and down but no help... Appreciate any advice you can give me.

[@motorcarnut]

It depends on the model year for some reason that some I did move back, it is more work as you do have to drop the exhaust to remove the driveshaft so you can slide the complete unit backwards about 2 inches. This 2013 I did not do that. You have to take out the bolts for the steering rack so it gives you that extra space, also I did remove the cat for more access but I was doing other things so may not need to remove it.

[@lucianatutube]

​@@BATworkshop​... I ended up dropping the entire subframe. Total PITA for 1/2 inch of clearance.

[@BATworkshop]

@GonzoA99 i just spent hours dicking around with a x3 on what should have been a 20 min pan drop after pulling cv shafts. My level of pissed off at the moment at the absolute trash design if this car is through the roof. I ended up pulling the subframe also. I should have done that from the beginning and it would not have been a huge deal. Also without a E wrench set that one oil pan bolt is also a poor design choice. It would almost seem like they went out of their way to put a extra bolt directly behind that vent tube. Garbage design from top to bottom on this engine.

[@andrewlee1126]

I appreciate your reply to my other question! Please help me!😢 do you know where is the center Jack point in the rear of the car? 2013 x3 Oh my goodness timing chain project is stressing me out

[@motorcarnut]

No problem! There’s no jack point in the back of the car only 4 points 2 on left and 2 on right side front and rear you’ll see the plastic jack points

[@NicholasGochenaur]

hey motorcarnut, going to be putting my pan back on (2013 x3 28i xdrive) with a new gasket and was going to reuse the bolts for the pan, the original are steel, any thoughts on whether i should get a new bolt set instead? seems like cleaning the previous and putting some locktite on should be good?

[@motorcarnut]

The old ones are fine, not critical like head bolts.

[@andrewlee1126]

hello! i have a question...how do you remove the driveshaft without a powerful impact wrench?

[@motorcarnut]

Wheel on the ground with a breaker bar and piece or pipe

[@SeasonsOFcolors]

My 2012 bmw x3 35I is in the shop now for the oul pan gasket leak and they are say they have to order new special bolts for the pan and trying to add on other bs to the job smh

[@motorcarnut]

Never go to the stealership after warranty expires

[@joetoken1021]

Ok, i have the 2013 x3, are you saying you were able to get the pan off without loosening transmission mount bolts? I am referring to your reply to earlier comment, I tried raising the engine and it was still hanging. If I have to loosen transmission, can you explain what you attached to in order to hold the engine up from the top? Sorry but I am stuck

[@motorcarnut]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/d16bmI2BbrhqgZo

[@maxdrive9353]

Do I have to support engine from the top? I have 2012 x1 looks pretty similar.

[@motorcarnut]

Yes

[@ebonick22]

Is this the same procedure for the 3.0? Can't find any videos on it

[@motorcarnut]

It’s a little different and I’m not sure if you can do it the same way as in my video, you can try? BMW is pretty good on design when it comes to mechanic’s.

[@AjitSingh-sm8us]

Translate Kaise remove Karenge chamber se

[@motorcarnut]

Sorry don’t know what you mean?

[@AjitSingh-sm8us]

Ok

[@nyc-brooklyngirl8340]

I was going to get this SUV. No way lol you have to somehow lift the engine 😳😳

[@motorcarnut]

Engine doesn't have to be lifted.

[@ebonick22]

Did you have to remove engine mounts?

[@motorcarnut]

Yes

[@AjitSingh-sm8us]

Ya reply

[@joetoken1021]

I forgot to mark the drive shaft when I took it off, is there a way to line it up again? What issue does it cause if it goes back another way?

[@joetoken1021]

Also, did you remove the engine mounts entirely on both sides and had it supported under the trainy? It looks like thats what you did, but not sure, i am a little nervous about hanging engine from just triany.

[@motorcarnut]

Don’t worry, it should be fine. They are balanced separately.

[@motorcarnut]

Yes, I had a engine support bar on top of the engine supporting it

[@joetoken1021]

@@motorcarnut so i need to rig something up to support it from the top to do this job? There is no way of doing it without removing the mounts? Issue is I don't have a top support and would be guessing on how to make one

[@joetoken1021]

Well, i got the 2 pan bolts behind the motor mount off so...all I need now is the etorx box ends i have coming monday to get rest of pan nuts off

[@quantass]

AND ALL THAT WORK just to remove an oil pan. BMW will bill you $1850 CAD + Tax to do this. Needless engineering at its finest.

[@motorcarnut]

I hear ya, that’s why I teach people how to save money by doing it themselves.

[@AjitSingh-sm8us]

Hii

[@AjitSingh-sm8us]

Hoi

[@derekkchung]

Add F25 N20 to the title, u will get more hits.

[@motorcarnut]

Thanks bro appreciate it