M30 lifting points

[Derek A.]

Where does one lift an m30 out of an e34? Going to tackle an oil pan gasket soon - need to know where to hook on to.

[Ken35i]

Lift from the top?
There are 2 points; the front one is above the water pump. The rear is in a dicky spot above the starter motor.
The rear spot is part of the iron block. The front spot is like an aluminium bracket which I don't trust all that much.

[shogun]

That aluminium bracket is even enough to lift a V12 M70 engine, but that is not much heavier than M30, because the engine is basically light weight metal. Here pics from my parts engine M70, you can see where you can fix it
http://s71.photobucket.com/albums/i155/shogun_bucket/?action=view&current=img010erichsmotoramhackzn4.jpg

[Ken35i]

Ah ok. When I lifted my engine I didn't lift it from above (like in the picture) more like pulling it back. It bent a bit but I bent it back. But I learnt from it :)

[shogun]

if you want to lift it out from the top like I did with tranny attached: then remove the hood, radiator and also the radiator brackets and all parts in the front like the lights and the complete section in front. On my E32 all is fixed by bolts there except the lowest portion in front. Then you have space enough to pull out, because you have to pull forward and also a bit upwards to get the engine over the area where the engine mounts are usually fixed. If you lift too high, the tranny will touch in the area of the fire wall. So rear part down and front part up as shown in the pic.

[Derek A.]

I just need to life enough to get the oil pan out. But certainly don't want to rip anything up in the process. Does loosening the tranny mounts help to get the motor to lift a little higher ?

[Dave M]

I just need to life enough to get the oil pan out. But certainly don't want to rip anything up in the process. Does loosening the tranny mounts help to get the motor to lift a little higher ?

If all you're doing is lifting a bit to gain access for pan removal, use the aluminum bracket at the front of the engine. I don't have an M30, but according to pics I've seen it should be near the water pump, can't miss it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/m30lift2.jpg

And yes, removing the nuts from the bottom of the trannny mounts may help, but you'll be limited by the tranny bell housing or shift linkage hitting the body.

Goood luck with it,

Dave

[Ross]

Better off dropping the suspension and working from below.

[Derek A.]

I have heard two different stories. Some can get the oil pan out by just lifting the engine - others have had to drop the cradle. Not sure what the differences are in technique.

[Ken35i]

You'll have to lift it pretty high. You may have to remove everything connected to the engine, air, oil, water etc. I tried doing mine by lifting from undernieth but I couldn'r get high enough the block was hard up against the firewall. I just remembered I made a post about this.
http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/showthread.php?p=307832&mode=linear&highlight=oil+pan+m30#post307832

Good luck. ;)

[Derek A.]

What is BMW doing different in their instructions?

http://www.bmwtechinfo.com/repair/main/741en/images/7410082.jpg
http://www.bmwtechinfo.com/repair/main/741en/images/7410083.jpg

[Ken35i]

Says nothing about transmission. I'd at least undo the transmission mounts.
But that's pretty much it, I think. I should have followed this procedure looks far easier.