Lower Oil Pan Cracked

[Andrebxp]

Hello! I don't frequent these forums as much as E46F so I apologize if this was posted before because I couldn't find a DIY.

It looks like my oil pan cracked by the drain plug. I've got an 01 4.4i and I think it should be easy to replace once the front skid plate comes off. I'm just hoping that its not like the oil pan gasket on my E46; that was hell.

Just looking for anyone that did the lower oil pan gasket and knows whats involved in taking the pan off. If I'm wrong in thinking its simple please correct me so I don't find out the hard way. Also if you have any tips to make it easier I'm all ears.

Thanks!

[David.X5]

The lower pan is a piece of cake. Taking the stiffener plate off is probably the worst of it.
Just a bunch of M6 bolts. Now, the upper oil pan is the PITA.

[Andrebxp]

Perfect. My new oil pan in coming in tomorrow and I picked up a gasket from the dealer today.

When installing should I use RTV the same way I did on my E46 oil pan?

Thanks.

[CapeX5]

do not use RTV, with both surfaces clean and flat, that is why you use a gasket! Make sure you tighten all of the bolts progressively and use the proper torque and you will be fine.