What did you do for your ZHP/ BMW / MINI today? #2

Well it's May, so I was quite happy to take my car out from winter storage (albeit a month late). Do my usual routine of oil change on the spot before the first startup.


I pull the drain plug off and see some aluminium chips come with it. Go to put it back in and... fuuuuuuuuuuk the pan is stripped :crying:mad.

When I first got the car the threads were a bit suspect since the plug would thread in but not by hand, you had to use a ratchet. I guess it was only a matter of time. There's no way I'm dropping the pan again so I'm going on a hunt in the morning for either a longer bolt (to engage the deeper threads within the pan) or an oversized drain plug.

https://i.imgur.com/PJojhvZl.png

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Originally Posted by t.er

Well it's May, so I was quite happy to take my car out from winter storage (albeit a month late). Do my usual routine of oil change on the spot before the first startup.


I pull the drain plug off and see some aluminium chips come with it. Go to put it back in and... fuuuuuuuuuuk the pan is stripped :crying:mad.

When I first got the car the threads were a bit suspect since the plug would thread in but not by hand, you had to use a ratchet. I guess it was only a matter of time. There's no way I'm dropping the pan again so I'm going on a hunt in the morning for either a longer bolt (to engage the deeper threads within the pan) or an oversized drain plug.

https://i.imgur.com/PJojhvZl.png

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Sounds like it's totaled, time for a S54 swap.

Oh man that's nightmare situation right there. I'll hold my siphon pump a little tighter tonight.

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Originally Posted by Galapolis

Sounds like it's totaled, time for a S54 swap.

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:rofl

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Originally Posted by ZHPizza

Oh man that's nightmare situation right there. I'll hold my siphon pump a little tighter tonight.

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Yeah there's no way I'm dropping the pan again, unless it's to install a baffle or a GSR oil pump. The plan is to just seal the plug and use an extractor from now on

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Originally Posted by t.er

Yeah there's no way I'm dropping the pan again, unless it's to install a baffle or a GSR oil pump. The plan is to just seal the plug and use an extractor from now on

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Sorry to hear that happen to you…. Seems getting an extractor is starting to sound better already!



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Originally Posted by cakM3

Sorry to hear that happen to you…. Seems getting an extractor is starting to sound better already!



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Success! Read online that the pan threads are longer than the OE drain plug (16 mm long) so this morning I went out and got a 30 mm long bolt. Since the deeper threads are still good it torqued up just fine.

I ain't touching that thing again even though it's probably okay. In no rush and will buy an extractor before my next oil change. Makes sense on our cars too since with that everything is done topside

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by t.er

Success! Read online that the pan threads are longer than the OE drain plug (16 mm long) so this morning I went out and got a 30 mm long bolt. Since the deeper threads are still good it torqued up just fine.

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Well done, glad to hear you are back into business. :roundel

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Originally Posted by t.er

Success! Read online that the pan threads are longer than the OE drain plug (16 mm long) so this morning I went out and got a 30 mm long bolt. Since the deeper threads are still good it torqued up just fine.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9iYm9PEAHg&t=32s

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Originally Posted by fredo

Well done, glad to hear you are back into business. :roundel

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Thanks Fredo!

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Originally Posted by BMWCurves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9iYm9PEAHg&t=32s

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lol honestly... I was super, super relieved when that longer bolt torqued up.

After lunch I worked on installing my new seat. It really changes how the car feels - you can feel so much more of what the car does (and also more bumps/potholes). I set the seat a decent bit lower than the stock seat, and now I wish the steering wheel went lower to match haha. Only drove for a half-hour so I can't comment on comfort but it was fine for that little drive. And of course, took a 270 deg highway on-ramp at speed and I was fully constrained.

Ontario lockdown + busy with school = likely no track this month, but I can't wait to use it next month!

https://i.imgur.com/gMD95yMl.png

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c8b9851b0a.jpg

After installing my battery I started my M3 for the first time since February. It’s been awhile since I have heard the music of my S54. What an amazing sound and car[emoji41][emoji41][emoji41]

Mileage is at 182,016 and my S54 still pulls as hard as a freight train. [emoji57]

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