DIY oil change-my job failed.

[4zwmb]

Hi everybody, today I attempted my first oil change on my bmw z4 e89 sdrive 30i (2011 model). I prepared all the necessary tools I needed, jacked the car up and almost gave up upon starting. What was my problem? The oil drain plug. I have read on forums that the drain plug is only lightly screwed on, about 25Nm or 18.5 foot pounds. Apparently, mine was like 1000000 Nm because I just could not screw it off no matter how hard I tried. After two hours I had to just give up. It got to the point where I damaged the shape of the plug and the spanner started to slip off its hold which obviously made it impossible for the job to be done. At this point I have no idea how to succeed in taking the oil plug off and not only did I not manage to do the oil change but I also need a new oil plug which I could not find on ebay except from U.S. sellers. The sellers who were from U.K only listed them as fit for z4 but it could be the e85 model, so I sent a message to some of them and I am waiting for answers. Has anybody ever tried to unscrew the oil plug and found the same problem???? To me it really sounds strange and disappointing.

[alane29]

Hello

Cant say I have had that problem they are not usually tight as you say about 25nm and usually come out easily ,are you sure you were turning it in the right direction ? that the only thing I can thing of .

[srhutch]

Turning the wrong way was my first thought. I always have to double check when working under the car at funny angles.

Main dealer probably best bet for new sump plug.

[andysat]

Was going to say the same.

[Harpal]

Sorry to hear that. I know the feeling! I had an issue with my fiesta. I ended up putting some spray on it and using a smaller ring spanner, after filing bolt, then hammered on and finally got it off & had to get new sump plug etc.

As prev post make sure your going the right way gets confusing when your under the car.

Since then I have done 5 oil changes including the zed this weekend.

Don't give up hope you get it sorted

[Nictrix]

It does sound like it was being tightened instead of loosened but surely you would have felt it tighten a little first before it stopped.
I find using a ratchet and setting it for loosening first before putting it on a nut or bolt means its easy to tell if you are going the right way or not.

[Lance]

Are you 100% sure it's the sump plug you're trying to undo?

Where are you based?

[Yorkie Z]

Sounds like you were just being a big girl

It was probably done up last time by an apprentice with a air tool.

[Scooba_Steve]

Get some penetrating fluid on it overnight then give it a go. Failing that drill it out?

[TitanTim]

Its probable its seized slightly especially if the previous service history is with BMW as they don't drain the oil from the sump but suck it out. To be honest I don't know if the latter cars have a sump plug these days, why would you need one

Tim.

[PerryGunn]

You can always try putting a socket on an 18v impact driver using an adapter, I've found that mine can shift some of the most reluctant bolts

[flybobbie]

Try removing after a run.
Get the sump hot, it just might expand enough to remove the plug.
(But only loosen and wait for oil to cool before draining!).
Could try some of that electronics freezer spray on the plug to chill it before removal.
And of course the last oil change they probably didn't fit a copper washer.
If DIY it's easy to lose in the waste oil.

[4zwmb]

Hi all, thanks for all the suggestions. Yes I am sure I was turning in the right direction. As we all know, clockwise direction tightens, anticlockwise loosens, no? I will have one last go at it tomorrow and get back to you with the results. Thanks again one more time.

[pvr]

Spanner? That only supports two sides of the plug, use a ratchet instead that supports all sides of the plug.

[4zwmb]

Flybobbie I did give the car a run before so that the oil gets thinner, I even put a can of engine flush before I took the car for the run to help with thinning. If the sump expands, so does the plug which then does not change a thing.