Originally Posted by workingonit

I have always used the same 5-6 quart drain pan; I wasn't used to draining more than it would hold, so I thought about extracting the extra 2-3 quarts from the topside before draining from below. Done that before at a friend's shop on a diesel pickup, but with a vacuum-powered extractor ($$$$). My cheap unit just doesn't have the power needed. I'm buying a bigger drainpan before the next oil change (and/or a Fumoto drain fitting). I'll save the electric extractor for master cylinders or power steering reservoir drainage.



This is my first-time ever oil change on the X5; I've had it 17 months, but it only had 400 miles since the previous owner had the oil changed, and I'd only driven it 900 miles. Not sure which synthetic he used, though he said it was 5W-30, but surely it was good enough for that short time. I put in Castrol Euro 5W-40, with LL-01 specs. Next oil change will be next year.

About the protective plate: I tried using the tools I mentioned, and with a box end on the nut, but I didn't have the room to move (the X5 is only lifted six inches in front, on short ramps), nor the strength to muscle them loose (one arm is useless). I've never had the plate off, but my friend, the previous owner, had it off when he was rebuilding it, but he has a strong/new 1/2" impact that is obviously stronger than my 30-year-old electric/corded impact I bought at some tool sale. I'll have to improve my tool stock, because if he put the plate back on without proper torque values, then I might need a much stronger impact...example: I had my first flat a few months ago, and had to use a 4-ft breaker bar to loosen the lug bolts...I'm sure the previous owner used his big honking impact on it as well!