txag_530i

2006 BMW 530i N52 engine (08/2005 production)

My car has a leaking oil pan gasket. Can the gasket be changed without dropping the subframe? It looks like there just might be enough room to do the job, and it would sure save some time if I do not have to drop the subframe. The Bentley manual does not have this job listed at all.

BimmerFan52

Not the same car but the same engine and sounds very similar to what you are attempting:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...+gasket+repair

ey2001

Did you have to remove the subframe?

txag_530i

I am going to do the job next month and replace the motor mounts at the same time. I plan on lowering the sub frame based on my research, including correspondence with the BMW CCA Technical Editor. It doesn't look like that bad of a job, and I own the engine support bracket that fits across the fenders.

pcy

When you say lowering the sub frame, are you going to loosen it a bit to get little more room OR drop the sub frame completely? I wonder how much effort involved in dropping the sub frame completely.

txag_530i

The basic steps are: remove the belly pans, support engine with brace across fenders, remove the motor mounts, remove the steering spindle pinch bolt from the steering rack, support the sub frame with a jack, remove the 6 mounting bolts, and then lower the sub-frame. You'll need new bolts for the engine and sub-frame mounts.

I plan on changing the oil and engine mounts at the same time.

ey2001

did anyone do this on the n52 motor yet?

ey2001

anyone?