Possible solutions for damaged Oil Sump/Pan hole thread?

jontZ4M · Post by **jontZ4M** » Wed Oct 04, 2023 4:12 pm

Hey guys

I recently took my Z4M Roadster for a service.

The mechanic said the oil sump bolt hole has been threaded and the bolt is currently held in with PTFE plumbers tape.

This does not sound good for such an important part.

Obviously the correct solution is to buy and fit a new Oil Pan. Problem with that is is that's it costs more than £1000, for an 18" piece of alloy casting. I can't really justify this.

Has anyone had this problem and do we know of any other solutions?

Thanks

paddy wright · Post by **paddy wright** » Wed Oct 04, 2023 4:15 pm

There’s a used one on eBay for £299 or best offer
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225768086164 ... media=COPY

MKZ4000 · Post by **MKZ4000** » Wed Oct 04, 2023 4:47 pm

Helicoil ?

mmm-five · Post by **mmm-five** » Wed Oct 04, 2023 4:48 pm

Could it not be be drilled out and have a thread insert put in to match the original?

JamesClements · Post by **JamesClements** » Wed Oct 04, 2023 5:26 pm

I had a similar problem last year where the sump pan bolt stripped, mine was pressed steel pan not aluminium (might be different for an M i have a 2.5)

If you can get the sump pan off its actually a fairly straightforward repair, no garages near me were really interested in repairing the pan, so in the end my local indie agreed to remove mine (I didnt fancy dropping the subframe on the drive) I just drilled out the old sump bung, if your lucky the thread will be ok and you can just run a tap through it worst case you can helicoil the old thread. These guys are also quite good for spares http://www.bmcentre.co.uk/ on the A46 usually have a few Z4's they are breaking for spares might have a used sump pan if your lucky

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Wed Oct 04, 2023 7:36 pm

I had that problem on my MK2 Escort. It probably didn't help that being an RS2000 the sump was alloy.

But the local garage managed to drill it out slightly, tap a thread and fit a slightly larger sump plug - which was a relief!

I've no idea if something like that might be an option but it might be worth considering.

It's a shame the drain plugs aren't designed so that they strip their thread before the sump as they're the cheap part!

smorris_12 · Post by **smorris_12** » Wed Oct 04, 2023 8:21 pm

Mr Tidy wrote: ↑Wed Oct 04, 2023 7:36 pm It's a shame the drain plugs aren't designed so that they strip their thread before the sump as they're the cheap part!

Technically, in any nut/bolt combo the nut is the stronger thread. It's why you can use 8.8 or 10.9 bolts with mild steel nuts.

In any case, BMW sump plugs have the centre drilled out to weaken them so they will rip apart before the sump thread gives out.

In an ally sump I would also expect that the threaded part would be a steel insert.

jontZ4M · Post by **jontZ4M** » Thu Oct 05, 2023 4:27 pm

Thanks guys great feedback as ever. I think probably the thing I need to do is jack it up and examine it myself to make a decision on how to move forward.

frazell · Post by **frazell** » Thu Oct 05, 2023 8:51 pm

Be careful buying an S54 M3 pan as they are different part numbers/shape. The M3 one still fits but Z4M is different for some reason.

frazell · Post by **frazell** » Thu Oct 05, 2023 8:54 pm

A few forums talk about this;

https://www.timesert.com/html/drainplug.html

Never used one or can endorse it but thought it was worth mentioning.

beanie · Post by **beanie** » Thu Oct 05, 2023 9:28 pm

I’ve just had to splash out for a new sump. I had a repair done a couple of years ago but during a recent rod bearing/insp2 it was noticed that the repair had not been made well (plug not flush with the sump) and there was a slight weep.

As a repair had already been attempted there was some doubt as to whether a timesert would hold (this was the recommended solution by Redish)-i would have to pay regardless of outcome so, with time being a problem, it left me with little choice but to buy a new sump. I think I paid around £700 ish, perhaps a little more-tbh it got lost in the noise of what became an expensive ‘service’!

I’d see if you can get a proper repair done on yours before committing to a new sump-it will be a decent saving and no doubt work fine. If not, you could spend some time and see if a good one comes up for sale. I think the S54 Z3M also use the same sump but those are even rarer than ours so probably not much help! I think the differences between the Z cars and the E46 S54 sumps is down to the steering rack or some other interference issues.

frazell · Post by **frazell** » Fri Oct 06, 2023 1:37 pm

I ran an S54 M3 sump on my Z4M for a while with no issues as I had an M3 engine fitted and they forgot to change the pan over (or assumed they were the same). Didn't cause any noticeable issues, but clearly you'd want the correct part.

Update us OP on the way you take this please and the results as my sump plug isn't in the best condition either so will be interested to know what you consider.

Mister T · Post by **Mister T** » Fri Oct 06, 2023 1:39 pm

MKZ4000 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 04, 2023 4:47 pmHelicoil ?

This. Just get it helicoiled or timeserted.

beanie · Post by **beanie** » Fri Oct 06, 2023 9:30 pm

frazell wrote: ↑Fri Oct 06, 2023 1:37 pm I ran an S54 M3 sump on my Z4M for a while with no issues as I had an M3 engine fitted and they forgot to change the pan over (or assumed they were the same). Didn't cause any noticeable issues, but clearly you'd want the correct part.

Good to know an m3 one works, though it seems strange that bmw decided to change the part-maybe it’s a bit of a tight fit, or perhaps ground clearance?

Buying new I wouldn’t chance the m3 part, but in an emergency a used one at the right price might make sense.

jontZ4M · Post by **jontZ4M** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 6:56 pm

Yup, will inspect it as soon as I get a chance.

I've got a 1 year old to look after now so nothing gets done fast around here anymore.

Thanks

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