oil extraction pump; will the dipstick tube permit it

[workingonit]

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

I feel like you're making this job really, really, really difficult for reasons that I don't understand. Why not buy a bigger drain pan?

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.

Originally Posted by Bdc101

Did you overtighten at the last oil change or something? How do you do it in 15 minutes normally? The pan takes a little bit of time to get off. The bolts are too big for my electric impact. The bolts are threaded into nuts on the top of the pan. Some of the bolts will spin and you will need a second wrench on the top to restrain the nuts on the top. It is actually pretty easy to take the pan off once you know how to access all six bolts.

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!