Another stripped oil pan thread

xxxian08 · 03-25-2017, 08:00 PM

TL;DR: Stupid mechanic stripped my drain plug AND oil pan. Repaired it with a time-sert.

So I was driving home from work the other day and, while on the highway at 65ish mph in 6th gear, I pushed the throttle aggressively and the whole car shuddered. It felt like the gearbox/driveline was vibrating really bad. I tried it several times with the same result. I was pretty sure it was driveshaft/clutch/guibo(flex disk), etc. I took it to my local mechanic who has worked on my cars for the past 8 years and whom i've been very satisfied with in the past.

They pull some codes and tell me it's misfiring on two cylinders. Hmmm, ok. I do a bit of research and sure enough the shudder can be caused by misfire. Fine. They replace the coli packs and spark plugs. They also suggested an oil change since there may be fuel in the oil from the misfire. Ok. I just changed it 2500 miles ago but better safe than sorry. Big bill.

I pick up the car and take it for a test drive and, after warming up it sounds and runs great. I'm pretty happy at this point. Then I notice the oil change reminder sticker on my windshield. It says 10w30. fuck. I'm pretty adamant about 10w60 as recommended by BMW so i'm pretty pissed at this point. I figure since I'm out and about I'll check the oil level. Once it gets a reading it shows >max "oil level too high" double fuck.

I bring it back to the mechanic and explain the situation. Mechanic says 10w60 is "race oil" and is only needed if I track the car. Also said he but the right amount of oil in: "exactly 9.3 quarts." He seemed totally unaware that there is no dipstick and that he didn't get all the oil out or the fact that he used the wrong oil. I'm frustrated and flustered so I ask for a refund on the oil change which they give me.

I take the car home and get it up on the jack and take the main (rear) plug out to drain some oil. As I put the plug back in i notice that the 6mm hex socket is not biting,; just kinda spinning. It's stripped. It was brand new when i changed the oil 2500 miles ago. triple fuck.

I get a spare drain plug and washer and screw it in. Meanwhile a lot of oil has come out so I realize I'm in for a full oil change anyway. The new drain plug goes in but never gets tight. Just spins. The stupid mechanic not only stripped my plug he stripped the pan too. fuck fuck fuck fuck.

Lots of research later and I find time-sert repair kits. I get one online as well as a full oil change kit. Today I spent a lot of time under the car repairing my oil pan.

Stripped hex on the right. New on the left

You can see the metal shards on the stripped plug on the right

That's a pretty rough, stripped-out drain

After drilling and counter-boring for the insert

New threads tapped

time-sert insert installed

New plug installed and torqued properly.

The scariest part is worrying about the metal shards from drilling, counter-boring and tapping. I used a lot of heavy grease and hand drilled everything except the counter-bore. I couldn't get enough leverage to get it to remove material without using a power drill at slow speed.

After all the drilling, counter-boring and tapping was done I flushed about a gallon and a half of oil through the engine to wash out any metal bits. after the first half gallon a few came out. After the second half gallon it came out clean so I did another half gallon to be safe.

In the end it looks like it's holding so I'm happy with the fix. A bit terrifying but successful.

KawBoy · 03-25-2017, 10:43 PM

I feel your pain. And nice work! It came out pretty good.

6ixSpd · 03-25-2017, 11:31 PM

Oh man that's so shitty. Quadruple fuck indeed! Greta job on doing the fix properly though.

I found out my 328's oil pan is fucked too when I did my oil change. I'll have to learn about this time-sert kit.

doogee · 03-25-2017, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

Oh man that's so shitty. Quadruple fuck indeed! Greta job on doing the fix properly though.

I found out my 328's oil pan is fucked too when I did my oil change. I'll have to learn about this time-sert kit.

That was one bonus to my 2006 E90 325 MT. It had a steel oil pan!

Bartledoo · 03-26-2017, 09:12 AM

Gah this makes me cringe. Especially the "race oil" bit.

drrust · 03-26-2017, 07:21 PM

Unfortunately I'm in a similar situation. During my last oil change the plug started to spin as the appropriate torque was reached. I managed to get the plug to hold but the next oil change will necessitate an insert. One thought I had is it worth putting an inset in both threads while one is doing it anyway?

Powashiftin · 03-26-2017, 07:33 PM

I have a time sert kit if anyone is interested. 4 time serts left with the kit. PM me.

kyippee · 03-26-2017, 11:14 PM

Name the mechanic and shop so others can avoid

elim11 · 03-26-2017, 11:41 PM

Did you go jiffy lube or something?

xxxian08 · 03-27-2017, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drrust

Unfortunately I'm in a similar situation. During my last oil change the plug started to spin as the appropriate torque was reached. I managed to get the plug to hold but the next oil change will necessitate an insert. One thought I had is it worth putting an inset in both threads while one is doing it anyway?

I only did the rear drain. The front was fine. Which makes me wonder if the idiot mechanic didn't even drain the front sump contributing to the over fill.

xxxian08 · 03-27-2017, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elim11

Did you go jiffy lube or something?

Nope. It WAS a trusted local shop I've used and trusted for 8 years. Lesson learned: Trust no one.

Solo_M_Tech · 04-02-2017, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxxian08

Quote:

Originally Posted by elim11

Did you go jiffy lube or something?

Nope. It WAS a trusted local shop I've used and trusted for 8 years. Lesson learned: Trust no one.

The shop you use clearly doesn't do BMW ///M on a regular basis. Find a real shop with people who know what the fuck they are doing. smdh.

BillK · 05-12-2018, 10:14 PM

I know this is an old post, but does anyone know the number of the time sert kit that fits that m6 bolt?

MMachines · 05-12-2018, 10:39 PM

Not everyone has a well calibrated torque sensor... Not implementing Goodentight I'd think would save these from happening. At 25nm there is no way to damage these.

xxxian08 · 05-14-2018, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillK

I know this is an old post, but does anyone know the number of the time sert kit that fits that m6 bolt?

TIME-SERT M12 X 1.50 Metric Drain Plug Repair Kit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

BillK · 05-14-2018, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxxian08

TIME-SERT M12 X 1.50 Metric Drain Plug Repair Kit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks. I hope I dont need it but I had a scare changing my oil on Saturday. I change the oil once a year, so I’ll let you know next May if I need it

Mdriv3r · 05-24-2018, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillK

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxxian08

TIME-SERT M12 X 1.50 Metric Drain Plug Repair Kit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SER3PA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks. I hope I dont need it but I had a scare changing my oil on Saturday. I change the oil once a year, so I’ll let you know next May if I need it

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxxian08

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillK

I know this is an old post, but does anyone know the number of the time sert kit that fits that m6 bolt?

TIME-SERT M12 X 1.50 Metric Drain Plug Repair Kit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...UTF8&psc=1

The Time Sert Kit by Wert is awesome. There is a great write up on the M5 forums. I have one of these installed. Been in for 3 years and its good.

Spun Crankhub · 05-26-2018, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxxian08

TIME-SERT M12 X 1.50 Metric Drain Plug Repair Kit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fawk, that is priiiicey. FML.

bvrider1 · 05-26-2018, 05:38 AM

That is cheap compared to the cost of getting a new oil pan and installation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TacoChris

Fawk, that is priiiicey. FML.

Longun · 08-10-2018, 05:10 PM

Found this thread searching.

I'm going down the same path. Just curious to know if the groove in this picture is normal? It looks like it is there to allow oil to drain but I'm not sure.

m3jala · 08-10-2018, 07:39 PM

This thread just convinced me I am taking my car to someone that knows these cars specifically even for the simple task of doing an oil change. I have had a non dealer decent shop that supposedly knows bmws already overfill the car on the last oil change. Hopefully they didn't destroy the pan while at it...

BOOF-M3 · 08-10-2018, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3jala

This thread just convinced me I am taking my car to someone that knows these cars specifically even for the simple task of doing an oil change. I have had a non dealer decent shop that supposedly knows bmws already overfill the car on the last oil change. Hopefully they didn't destroy the pan while at it...

Order from FCP Euro and do the change yourself. Takes 30 minutes from start to finish.

03-25-2017, 08:00 PM	#1
xxxian08 Private First Class 50 Rep 108 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 6MT JEREZ SCHWARZ Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Loudoun County iTrader: (0)	Another stripped oil pan thread TL;DR: Stupid mechanic stripped my drain plug AND oil pan. Repaired it with a time-sert. So I was driving home from work the other day and, while on the highway at 65ish mph in 6th gear, I pushed the throttle aggressively and the whole car shuddered. It felt like the gearbox/driveline was vibrating really bad. I tried it several times with the same result. I was pretty sure it was driveshaft/clutch/guibo(flex disk), etc. I took it to my local mechanic who has worked on my cars for the past 8 years and whom i've been very satisfied with in the past. They pull some codes and tell me it's misfiring on two cylinders. Hmmm, ok. I do a bit of research and sure enough the shudder can be caused by misfire. Fine. They replace the coli packs and spark plugs. They also suggested an oil change since there may be fuel in the oil from the misfire. Ok. I just changed it 2500 miles ago but better safe than sorry. Big bill. I pick up the car and take it for a test drive and, after warming up it sounds and runs great. I'm pretty happy at this point. Then I notice the oil change reminder sticker on my windshield. It says 10w30. fuck. I'm pretty adamant about 10w60 as recommended by BMW so i'm pretty pissed at this point. I figure since I'm out and about I'll check the oil level. Once it gets a reading it shows >max "oil level too high" double fuck. I bring it back to the mechanic and explain the situation. Mechanic says 10w60 is "race oil" and is only needed if I track the car. Also said he but the right amount of oil in: "exactly 9.3 quarts." He seemed totally unaware that there is no dipstick and that he didn't get all the oil out or the fact that he used the wrong oil. I'm frustrated and flustered so I ask for a refund on the oil change which they give me. I take the car home and get it up on the jack and take the main (rear) plug out to drain some oil. As I put the plug back in i notice that the 6mm hex socket is not biting,; just kinda spinning. It's stripped. It was brand new when i changed the oil 2500 miles ago. triple fuck. I get a spare drain plug and washer and screw it in. Meanwhile a lot of oil has come out so I realize I'm in for a full oil change anyway. The new drain plug goes in but never gets tight. Just spins. The stupid mechanic not only stripped my plug he stripped the pan too. fuck fuck fuck fuck. Lots of research later and I find time-sert repair kits. I get one online as well as a full oil change kit. Today I spent a lot of time under the car repairing my oil pan. Stripped hex on the right. New on the left You can see the metal shards on the stripped plug on the right That's a pretty rough, stripped-out drain After drilling and counter-boring for the insert New threads tapped time-sert insert installed New plug installed and torqued properly. The scariest part is worrying about the metal shards from drilling, counter-boring and tapping. I used a lot of heavy grease and hand drilled everything except the counter-bore. I couldn't get enough leverage to get it to remove material without using a power drill at slow speed. After all the drilling, counter-boring and tapping was done I flushed about a gallon and a half of oil through the engine to wash out any metal bits. after the first half gallon a few came out. After the second half gallon it came out clean so I did another half gallon to be safe. In the end it looks like it's holding so I'm happy with the fix. A bit terrifying but successful.
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03-25-2017, 10:43 PM	#2
KawBoy Lieutenant 155 Rep 561 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: May 2012 Location: SE FL iTrader: (2)	I feel your pain. And nice work! It came out pretty good.
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03-25-2017, 11:31 PM	#3
6ixSpd Save the manuals! 6015 Rep 6,745 Posts Drives: '16 M3, '23 718 Spyder Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 416 iTrader: (4)	Oh man that's so shitty. Quadruple fuck indeed! Greta job on doing the fix properly though. I found out my 328's oil pan is fucked too when I did my oil change. I'll have to learn about this time-sert kit. __________________ '16 M3 \| '23 718 Spyder Past: E92 M3, F87 M2, E39 M5, etc
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03-26-2017, 09:12 AM	#5
Bartledoo Driver 2692 Rep 2,714 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 6MT Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 Corvette Stingray [0.00] 2002 Porsche Boxster [0.00] 2011 E90 M3 [0.00] 2021 Tesla Model Y [0.00]	Gah this makes me cringe. Especially the "race oil" bit.
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03-26-2017, 07:21 PM	#6
drrust Captain 336 Rep 724 Posts Drives: E90 M3 DCT Sedan Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Cincinnati iTrader: (0)	Unfortunately I'm in a similar situation. During my last oil change the plug started to spin as the appropriate torque was reached. I managed to get the plug to hold but the next oil change will necessitate an insert. One thought I had is it worth putting an inset in both threads while one is doing it anyway?
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03-26-2017, 07:33 PM	#7
Powashiftin Captain 171 Rep 957 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NJ iTrader: (2)	I have a time sert kit if anyone is interested. 4 time serts left with the kit. PM me.
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03-26-2017, 11:14 PM	#8
kyippee Lieutenant Colonel 1073 Rep 1,617 Posts Drives: E92 M3, Supra MK5, F44 235GC Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Name the mechanic and shop so others can avoid
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03-26-2017, 11:41 PM	#9
elim11 Major 424 Rep 1,325 Posts Drives: e90m3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: irvine/sf iTrader: (13)	Did you go jiffy lube or something? __________________
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05-12-2018, 10:14 PM	#13
BillK Private First Class 46 Rep 182 Posts Drives: 95 M3, 11 M3, 15 X5d, 20 X2 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	I know this is an old post, but does anyone know the number of the time sert kit that fits that m6 bolt? Last edited by BillK; 05-12-2018 at 10:56 PM..
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05-12-2018, 10:39 PM	#14
MMachines BMW Owner 46 Rep 532 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3, 2006 4Runner Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oregon iTrader: (1)	Not everyone has a well calibrated torque sensor... Not implementing Goodentight I'd think would save these from happening. At 25nm there is no way to damage these.
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08-10-2018, 05:10 PM	#20
Longun New Member 3 Rep 19 Posts Drives: E90 330D M-Sport Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Gloucestershire, UK. iTrader: (0)	Found this thread searching. I'm going down the same path. Just curious to know if the groove in this picture is normal? It looks like it is there to allow oil to drain but I'm not sure.
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08-10-2018, 07:39 PM	#21
m3jala Captain 544 Rep 765 Posts Drives: Jet Black 2013 BMW M3 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Tysons Corner, VA iTrader: (0)	This thread just convinced me I am taking my car to someone that knows these cars specifically even for the simple task of doing an oil change. I have had a non dealer decent shop that supposedly knows bmws already overfill the car on the last oil change. Hopefully they didn't destroy the pan while at it...
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