BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > E90/E92 M3 Technical Topics > DIY Guides/ Discussions
 
EXXEL Distributions
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      02-10-2016, 03:20 PM   #1
decimation1
First Lieutenant
United_States
196
Rep
386
Posts

Drives: 08 e90 MT
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (1)

DIY: Engine/Transmission removal

As promised here is my DIY engine/transmission removal thread. Please excuse the duplicated marked screws/bolts. I marked all my pics of stuff I took off to get the engine and transmission pulled. As we got close the pics kinda went by the wayside, sorry. I will describe my procedure, then post pics...

Got the car in the garage and used this DIY video to remove the side skirts. Two things to note, you WILL break half the plastic clips pulling these off (no worries, they are replaceable) and the nuts in the back on the M3 are on the bottom of the car, not in the wheel well.



I then put the car on my 6 ton truck jack stands, 14 inch clearance at the lowest level . As everyone is aware this requires some jack trickery due to the lack of clearance of the car. For me I jacked the front up slightly and then used the center jack point. For the back I used a 6x6x6 wood block on top of my floor jack on the rear sub-frame brace behind the rear differential.

To remove the bumper there are 4 torx on top, about 8 bolts on the bottom and you also have to remove the front wheel well liners. Then it slides right off. Headlights are next 2 torx for the inner supports and a 10mm underneath, there might be one I am forgetting. Remove the washer lines and pull them out, they do take some finagling to get out. Go around the center mount and unplug all electrical accessories, then start removing the bottom pieces. Once everything is clear of the center cross member there are 2 bolts on each side by the front fenders and 4 on each frame rail. Also remove the three torx securing the oil cooler, then remove the center cross member.

Next is the radiator\ac radiator, 2 radiator hoses, 2 power steering cooling hoses and the 2 a/c connections.

Next remove oil cooler hoses from the oil filter housing and remove the cooler and hoses. Remove the power steer reservoir and hoses. Remove the coolant expansion tank and disconnect the marked misc hoses.

On to the top back of the engine bay... remove the rubber trim crossing the entire rear of the engine bay. Remove both cabin filter housings, then the plastic cover underneath. Next remove the strut braces (4 bolts per). Open the wiring housing and remove the plugs that are going to the engine. It is not necessary to disconnect everything. I bundled them with some string and laid it on top of the engine. Remove the brake booster line, fuel line and a couple others. NOTE: there is a hose that runs from the back of the engine to the secondary water pump. You can either remove it off the bottom of the secondary water pump OR remove it from the back of the engine while pulling it, which is what I did, seemed easier. Now everything in the front and up top should be clear.

For the exhaust I used DRK1's clutch DIY for the exhaust and propeller shaft removal (obviosly didn't need to drop the transmission), which the exception of removing all the electrical plugs, you really only need to remove the O2 sensors plugs because the harness is coming out with the engine/transmission.

Once the exhaust, shift linkage and propeller shaft are all out of the way it's time to bring in the engine lift.

Once the engine is being supported by the lift it's time to move under the front. Remove bothe engine mount bolts, I did the bottom ones. Lower the front sway bay, 2 bolts each side. Remove the torx screw from the steering column holding it the the steering rack and the 2 nuts and bolts holding the steering rack to the sub frame. Place a jack under the sub frame and remove the 8 bolts, 4 per side. Slowly lower the sub frame until you have enough clearance for the oil pan. Now free the steering rack from the sub frame and work the drivers side engine mount over the top of the steering rack.

Viola!! You are now ready to pull the engine.....OH SH*T!!!! Engine won't come out, it is hung on something but VERY loose.... we looked for 20 minutes and finally found a ground strap going from the oil pan to the frame on the drivers side, about a foot long and VERY easy to miss. Don't forget that one or will ensue....

Installation is the reverse of removal.

I will follow this up with new flywheel, clutch, transmission, wiring harness install on the donor motor. And of course, installation pics!!

Pics are below. Hope this helps anyone out who is toying with doing this job themselves. It wasn't bad, took me and a buddy of mine about 8 hours to pull the engine and transmission, so not too shabby. It was actually one of the easiest pulls I have done, definitely easier than the last 2 e46s I did.

Thanks to rcracin for his input and pics and to DRK1's clutch DIY!!

ChrisName:  IMG_20160205_215437.jpg
Views: 16178
Size:  237.4 KB

Name:  IMG_20160205_215455.jpg
Views: 15945
Size:  199.0 KB

Name:  IMG_20160205_215459.jpg
Views: 15985
Size:  239.1 KB

Name:  IMG_20160205_220334.jpg
Views: 15927
Size:  222.6 KB

Name:  IMG_20160205_220340.jpg
Views: 15844
Size:  188.6 KB

Name:  IMG_20160205_220357.jpg
Views: 16031
Size:  221.3 KB

Name:  IMG_20160205_220403.jpg
Views: 15733
Size:  238.1 KB

Name:  IMG_20160205_224601.jpg
Views: 15734
Size:  269.9 KB

Name:  IMG_20160205_224607.jpg
Views: 15751
Size:  308.2 KB

Name:  IMG_20160205_224612.jpg
Views: 15773
Size:  312.4 KB

Name:  IMG_20160205_230320.jpg
Views: 15711
Size:  236.4 KB

Name:  IMG_20160205_230322.jpg
Views: 15626
Size:  241.4 KB

Name:  IMG_20160205_230705.jpg
Views: 15522
Size:  269.8 KB

Name:  IMG_20160205_230822.jpg
Views: 15552
Size:  353.5 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_104845.jpg
Views: 15504
Size:  276.5 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_104852.jpg
Views: 15489
Size:  282.1 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_104859.jpg
Views: 15431
Size:  259.2 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_104906.jpg
Views: 15432
Size:  283.4 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_104911.jpg
Views: 15412
Size:  279.9 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_105457.jpg
Views: 15348
Size:  241.9 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_105502.jpg
Views: 15333
Size:  246.7 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_110646.jpg
Views: 15360
Size:  303.0 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_110807.jpg
Views: 15258
Size:  254.8 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_111502.jpg
Views: 15241
Size:  233.5 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_112937_1.jpg
Views: 15158
Size:  161.9 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_113107.jpg
Views: 15257
Size:  295.9 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_113321.jpg
Views: 15145
Size:  272.3 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_113433.jpg
Views: 15127
Size:  247.3 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_113636.jpg
Views: 15112
Size:  265.6 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_114635.jpg
Views: 15064
Size:  244.7 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_114642.jpg
Views: 15017
Size:  192.6 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_115046.jpg
Views: 15085
Size:  291.0 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_115055.jpg
Views: 15024
Size:  245.9 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_115103.jpg
Views: 15002
Size:  221.5 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_115538.jpg
Views: 14958
Size:  251.1 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_115545.jpg
Views: 14976
Size:  268.2 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_120138.jpg
Views: 14897
Size:  287.0 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_120421.jpg
Views: 14873
Size:  255.0 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_120428.jpg
Views: 14848
Size:  240.1 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_120631.jpg
Views: 14843
Size:  273.6 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_120841.jpg
Views: 14869
Size:  322.8 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_122015.jpg
Views: 14781
Size:  314.4 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_122018.jpg
Views: 14854
Size:  318.8 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_122023.jpg
Views: 14802
Size:  287.4 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_130957.jpg
Views: 14953
Size:  320.6 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_131000.jpg
Views: 15736
Size:  337.5 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_134130.jpg
Views: 14705
Size:  288.9 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_134133.jpg
Views: 15081
Size:  321.2 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_134138.jpg
Views: 14648
Size:  350.7 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_134230.jpg
Views: 14570
Size:  262.6 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_134232.jpg
Views: 14574
Size:  254.3 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_134236.jpg
Views: 14525
Size:  294.2 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_144837.jpg
Views: 16049
Size:  350.4 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_175255.jpg
Views: 16708
Size:  291.4 KB

Name:  IMG_20160206_175338.jpg
Views: 15699
Size:  363.0 KB
Appreciate 3
Theodore667.00
zhan28109.50
jvictormp879.50
      02-10-2016, 03:29 PM   #2
rcracin
Major
1238
Rep
1,285
Posts

Drives: M3
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: NYC

iTrader: (3)

Great stuff man. Easy right? Haha
Appreciate 0
      02-10-2016, 03:56 PM   #3
decimation1
First Lieutenant
United_States
196
Rep
386
Posts

Drives: 08 e90 MT
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by rcracin View Post
Great stuff man. Easy right? Haha
Not bad, not bad at all.....
Appreciate 0
      02-10-2016, 04:13 PM   #4
flzrider
Captain
48
Rep
739
Posts

Drives: AW 1M
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Miami, FL

iTrader: (1)

Awesome DIY!

Unrelated question: Why is your engine bay a different color than the body? Was it repainted or did it come that way from the factory?
__________________
Appreciate 0
      02-10-2016, 06:33 PM   #5
decimation1
First Lieutenant
United_States
196
Rep
386
Posts

Drives: 08 e90 MT
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by flzrider View Post
Awesome DIY!

Unrelated question: Why is your engine bay a different color than the body? Was it repainted or did it come that way from the factory?
Thanks!!

The original owner didn't like the choice of colors, bought Jerez Black and promptly had it painted Phoenix Yellow by a BMW certified shop.
Appreciate 0
      09-08-2018, 07:10 PM   #6
Theodore
Lieutenant
Theodore's Avatar
United_States
667
Rep
411
Posts

Drives: 2011.5 E92 M3
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Tampa Bay, FL

iTrader: (6)

Wow, awesome contribution! Thanks for taking the time and effort to create this DIY.
__________________
What I Wish I Knew When I First Bought My E9X M3 Can Be Found Here
E9X M3 Exact Original Equipment (OE) Equivalent Parts Can Be Found Here
E9X M3 Common Torque Specs Can Be Found Here
E9X M3 "Factory" Tools Can Be Found Here

Last edited by Theodore; 11-11-2018 at 06:57 AM..
Appreciate 0
      11-11-2018, 02:43 AM   #7
McGuiggsy
Registered
3
Rep
4
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

thanks for posting this. I had been kicking around the idea of pulling my engine and replacing con rod bearings as they hadn't been done yet and, well, I'm sure you know the rest. So, today I basically got the car to the point of pulling out the engine crane; drive shaft out, exhaust out, front rad/coolers/condenser, and so forth. My plan was to tilt the engine/trans noise up/tail down to hopefully clearance the oil pan from the steering rack and subframe....but i noticed you had to lower those as well. Were you concerned that you wouldn't have enough clearance without moving them? I'd just like to save myself some time and not have the engine on the crane while working under the car to get the clearance i need. Thanks for the advice.
Appreciate 0
      11-11-2018, 08:19 AM   #8
rcracin
Major
1238
Rep
1,285
Posts

Drives: M3
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: NYC

iTrader: (3)

Not enough without space without lowering the subframe. Gotta disconnect the steering column and lower the subframe. They can hang on the lower control arms. It’s just about 6 bolts I believe.
Appreciate 0
      02-07-2019, 11:09 PM   #9
eduardomi
Lieutenant
United_States
73
Rep
404
Posts

Drives: 2012 e93 M3 Jerez Black
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Florida

iTrader: (2)

Where did you find a donor engine and how much does one approximately cost?
Appreciate 0
      10-11-2020, 02:36 PM   #10
ppy1111
Enlisted Member
2
Rep
35
Posts

Drives: BMW M3
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Houston, TX

iTrader: (0)

Resurecting this thread!

I want to pull out my engine to do the rod bearings. I have a 2008 M3 and the engine bay is filthy from the previous owner I think there was an oil leak. I also want to spray lizard skin ceramic paint on the firewall.

My question is which electrical connectors need to be removed? When I pulled the engine from my s2k all the electrical connectors had to be removed is the m3 similar?
Appreciate 0
      10-12-2020, 04:01 PM   #11
SLBMW
Private First Class
SLBMW's Avatar
52
Rep
121
Posts

Drives: 2013 F30 , E92 M3
Join Date: May 2016
Location: CA, SFV

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ppy1111 View Post
Resurecting this thread!

I want to pull out my engine to do the rod bearings. I have a 2008 M3 and the engine bay is filthy from the previous owner I think there was an oil leak. I also want to spray lizard skin ceramic paint on the firewall.

My question is which electrical connectors need to be removed? When I pulled the engine from my s2k all the electrical connectors had to be removed is the m3 similar?
The main connector is the ECU harness, other than that just simple connectors such as headlights; horn, temperature sensor, radiator fan, and coolant res (might've missed a few minor ones). Pretty easy to put back together since the ECU harness does most of the work.
Appreciate 0
      08-21-2021, 09:35 AM   #12
jvictormp
Captain
jvictormp's Avatar
Brazil
880
Rep
784
Posts

Drives: 2008 M3 E92 6MT
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Brazil

iTrader: (0)

What about all the fluids?

- Engine oil, pretty obvious
- Transmission oil?
- Coolant?
- AC refrigerant gas?
- Power steering fluid?

All those will need to be put new after assembly, right?
Appreciate 0
      08-21-2021, 09:46 AM   #13
Frostynorth
Weirdo
Frostynorth's Avatar
Canada
431
Rep
182
Posts

Drives: 2011 e92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Middle of nowhere

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jvictormp View Post
What about all the fluids?

- Engine oil, pretty obvious
- Transmission oil?
- Coolant?
- AC refrigerant gas?
- Power steering fluid?

All those will need to be put new after assembly, right?
Yes, the transmission isn't needed. The refrigerant should be safely recovered.
Appreciate 0
      08-21-2021, 09:47 AM   #14
jvictormp
Captain
jvictormp's Avatar
Brazil
880
Rep
784
Posts

Drives: 2008 M3 E92 6MT
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Brazil

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frostynorth View Post
Yes, the transmission isn't needed. The refrigerant should be safely recovered.
How do I do with the refrigerant?
Appreciate 0
      08-21-2021, 09:52 AM   #15
Frostynorth
Weirdo
Frostynorth's Avatar
Canada
431
Rep
182
Posts

Drives: 2011 e92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Middle of nowhere

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jvictormp View Post
How do I do with the refrigerant?
You should call an ac guy. Many don't, but you should.
Appreciate 1
jvictormp879.50
      08-22-2021, 08:23 PM   #16
jvictormp
Captain
jvictormp's Avatar
Brazil
880
Rep
784
Posts

Drives: 2008 M3 E92 6MT
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Brazil

iTrader: (0)

A friend of mine told me he removed an N54 engine from his 335i leaving the ac compressor off the engine, and so, not needing to lose any refrigerant.

Can that be done with the S65?
Appreciate 0
      08-28-2021, 03:24 PM   #17
ek9hatch00
Second Lieutenant
ek9hatch00's Avatar
17
Rep
254
Posts

Drives: e90
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: NoVA

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2009 E90 M3  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by jvictormp View Post
A friend of mine told me he removed an N54 engine from his 335i leaving the ac compressor off the engine, and so, not needing to lose any refrigerant.

Can that be done with the S65?
Yes, you can leave the compressor on the car. That’s what I did
Appreciate 2
jvictormp879.50
Theodore667.00
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:52 PM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST