Removing m20 2.5 engine

[mybmw6]

My 325i is in need of some mechanical attention. Needs a new gear shaft selector seal (I think thats right) in the gearbox, needs a new oil pan (mine is dinged and leaks) new exhaust manifold gasket and while I am at it an e36 steering rack conversion. All of these things will be far easier for me to do with the engine removed. My girlfriends dad is a mechanic, he only works on new holden commodores mainly, trouble is he has never worked on BMWs. He said he is happy to help me with it, but wanted to know how long it took from someone who has done it before. If anyone who has done it before has any pointers for things that they had problems with or that were unexpected, things they could do next time to make it easier and a rough estimate time wise. It would be very much appreciated

[gcorky]

top bellhousing bolts are awkward to get at,but i presumme u mean engine and box out together???????


i would still muddle through with only the transmission removed though.
sump and rack can be done underneith .why make extra work like broken exhaust bolts etc?

[Brianmoooore]

You'll have to lift the engine though to change the sump easily.

[E30BeemerLad]

there are some good technical articles on this site, most have pics too.

www.bimmerdiy.com/e30

[oze30]

Ahh.. Fellow Ozzie!!!

welcome to the board!! I don't think it'd be that much harder than removing a Dunny dore V6 or V8. Apparently the little hoopla ring thing on the engine is a good balance point.. but don't quote me. I remember reading ti on here.. Try the search.. engine + removal.. Should get a few responses!

Hope this helps!

Cheers

[oze30]

try these:

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ne+removal

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ne+removal

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ne+removal

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ne+removal

[KiNaKa]

Remove an m20 b25 engine issn't that hard actually...

i removed my engine by jacking up the car onto the hoist,
loosen the front subframe bolts and remove the engine from bottom carried by forklift...

in your case you don't need to remove the whole engine because it involve so many things such as power steering. starter motor, intake air filter till throttle body..

to replace oil pan, u goota use the engine hanger on top, then work at bottom... some how u will feel thats easier than you remove the engine...

for the gearbox, u can just remove the gear box by remove exhaust, starter and prop shaft...

remove/install gearbox, changing the seals/bearing 4.0 hours

remove/install exhaust manifold 2.0 hoours

remove/install oil pan 3.0 hours
(but i suggest you leave the engine overnight before filling in new engine oil.. In malaysia we use sealant to seal the oil pan, for the good seaalant there need some time to turn dry, thats where is started to seal it nicely...
worry if you fill in engine oil once your install the oil pan will cause leaking again when engine is hot & sealant is not up to working conditon)

just my 2cents.... hope this help...

[mybmw6]

top bellhousing bolts are awkward to get at,but i presumme u mean engine and box out together???????

Sorry, yes I do mean engine and gear box together.

Ahh.. Fellow Ozzie!!!

welcome to the board!! I don't think it'd be that much harder than removing a Dunny dore V6 or V8. Apparently the little hoopla ring thing on the engine is a good balance point.. but don't quote me. I remember reading ti on here.. Try the search.. engine + removal.. Should get a few responses! Hope this helps!
Cheers

Thanks oze30 for the links - I tried doing a search on m20 engine removal but it didn't prove too fruitful. I think I was searching the wrong section under induction, my brain was lacking power at the time Its great living in Australian but it sucks not having a cheap and plentiful supply of e30 parts like our European counterparts.

i removed my engine by jacking up the car onto the hoist,
loosen the front subframe bolts and remove the engine from bottom carried by forklift...

Thanks KiNaKa - I only wish I had a forklift at my disposal. My girlfriends dad works in a fully setup workshop but because of the insurance issues I can't work on the car there... so it looks like the shed with an engine hoist and some jacks for me Another Mechanic friend of my dads works from home and has the full setup with the hydrolic lift that lifts the car above your head. Trouble is he is a stubborn mule and said I should sell the car and not waste my money on it! I say my car and my money = my choice but he wont help me - he will just charge me to do the work

You'll have to lift the engine though to change the sump easily.

I thought this might be the case when I was looking for a replacement sump at the wreckers. Cheers

E30BeemerLad - thanks for the link

I am making a carbon fibre bonnet so the bonnet has to come off anyway (which will make accessing the engine a lot easier). By the sounds of it. It might be best to jack the front up, lift/tilt the engine and gear box to give me a bit of access room and make the repairs. Don't quote me on any of this though as I haven't yet read the links. One of which will probably say "never do what you are about to do" LOL. Cheers for all the posts!!!!

[KiNaKa]

Thanks KiNaKa - I only wish I had a forklift at my disposal. My girlfriends dad works in a fully setup workshop but because of the insurance issues I can't work on the car there... so it looks like the shed with an engine hoist and some jacks for me Another Mechanic friend of my dads works from home and has the full setup with the hydrolic lift that lifts the car above your head. Trouble is he is a stubborn mule and said I should sell the car and not waste my money on it! I say my car and my money = my choice but he wont help me - he will just charge me to do the work

Don't worry dude,

in this case you can choose not to remove the engine... just jack up your car onto safety stand then use the jack to jack up your engine.. still you are able to replace the oil pan gasket...

for the transmission.. it will be abit tought.. just depends on your DIY spirit

Good luck !

[mybmw6]

Well finally I have some news. In the end I ended up just dropping the engine out from underneath. Made up some brackets for the strut towers and lifted the car up. With the engine out I went and did a bit more than I was going to (just because its so much easier while its out). Put a new alpina spec camshaft in that was far more mild than the stage three camshaft already in the car + replaced all the seals etc that had to be done with the swap. Painted the tappet cover and exhaust manifold with some high temp paint + replaced gaskets. Replaced front and rear sway bar to body bushes with polyurathane ones, put in a new timing belt, new shift selector seal, new output seal, new oil pan + gasket and welded up some points in the suspension that had broken off (thats not good ). Hopefully putting the engine back in the car this weekend. Bought myself an OBC for a conversion and also some el glow guages and carbon fibre dash surronds with aluminium rings Once it is all finished I'll post some pics. Cheers Matt

[gcorky]

good news ,cant wait for photos my friend.

[charlE30]

Well finally I have some news. In the end I ended up just dropping the engine out from underneath. Made up some brackets for the strut towers and lifted the car up. With the engine out I went and did a bit more than I was going to (just because its so much easier while its out). Put a new alpina spec camshaft in that was far more mild than the stage three camshaft already in the car + replaced all the seals etc that had to be done with the swap. Painted the tappet cover and exhaust manifold with some high temp paint + replaced gaskets. Replaced front and rear sway bar to body bushes with polyurathane ones, put in a new timing belt, new shift selector seal, new output seal, new oil pan + gasket and welded up some points in the suspension that had broken off (thats not good ). Hopefully putting the engine back in the car this weekend. Bought myself an OBC for a conversion and also some el glow guages and carbon fibre dash surronds with aluminium rings Once it is all finished I'll post some pics. Cheers Matt

Sounds like a job well done