Matt Daniels

So I've been trying to replace my oil pump gasket, which requires to take the oil pan off first. But for the life of me, I don't see how it's possible for me to get the oil pan off with the tools I have.

I've searched the forums and saw where dropping the subframe is probably required, but even if I do that, I don't see how I can get to some of the bolts on the oil pan. It seems like part of the transmission case blocks access to the back bolts. There are a few holes in the case that appear to give access to a couple of the bolts, but my smallest 1/4" socket won't fit through - so I don't see how I can proceed.

I don't want to put everything back together because of 5 stupid bolts, but at the same time, I don't have the capabilities to "go to the next level".

Please, someone give me some advice, or else I'm going to put it all back together and live with the oil pump leak, which will mean I've wasted two weekends and money for the parts...

I'm really at a loss here...

Tony Hoffman-4000Q

Matt,

That transmission housing is held in place by a couple of bolts (maybe five in all) that are easily accissible when the subframe is dropped. It seems I have an engine out of a car that may have that bracket. Give me a little time, and I'll see. If I do, I['ll take some pics of it.

As for the rest, you are well on your way. Probably at least 80% of the way there, so don't give up yet. As we say at the shop, "somebody put it together, anybody can take it apart"

Tony Hoffman

yodasfro

There are to reliefs in the back of the flywheel to get to these bolts.

Matt Daniels

I've tried undoing front subframe bolts and then jack up the engine/transmission a bit. That does give me some room, but I still don't have enough room to remove the transmission housing bracket. One of the bolts appears to be recessed into the housing and I can't even get a socket on it. How the f**k did the get it on in the first place??

Even if I did drop the entire subframe, I really have no way to get it back into position.

I'm really wasn't prepared to go this far. I think if I would have know it was going to be this difficult to get the oil pan off I would have said "screw it" and just put it all back together and lived with it.

I hate to put it back together now, but I really don't know how I can proceed.

Matt Daniels

Ugh.

Decided "what the hell" and removed all four bolts of the subframe - of course I had to move my jack stands first because they were on the subframe.

The subframe swung out of the way nicely giving me easy access to remove the transmission housing. Then I could remove the rest of the oil pan bolts, but of course the last one gave me grief and my socket wouldn't seat on it - took forever to finally get it out.

By then it was almost 5pm and time to call it quits for the day. Looks like it'll have to wait until next weekend.

What a PITA.

Tony Hoffman-4000Q

If I were closer, I'd come over and help, but I'm sure you are nowhere near Oklahoma City.

I looked at the engine I have out back, and the pan and bracket are nowhere to be found. The only other I have is a complete parts car, so it will look no different than yours.

I guess all I can say is don't give up, you are almost there. It's just a matter of patience and time. Take a break from it, and come back to it later. You will see things a bit differently, and probably get it done in no time. BTDT plenty myself-sometimes even on customer cars.

Tony Hoffman

Katman

You pretty well have to drop the subframe. I seem to recall that you *may* get away with only dropping one end, but not sure which end.

Thenyou have to drop that 'bracket' between teh motor and trans. Thsoe two holes in teh bracket are *very* deceiving, leading you to think that you may get teh pan off that way. Once you get the braket off, you can examine further. *I* don't think you can use those holes to get teh pan bolts off. I't just a big tease!

Yes, one of the bolts is rather 'interesting' to get out. On my car,one of them had a allen head, I'm thinking for clearance reasons.

But once you get that out the way, easy job.

Putting the subframe back isn't aht hard. It's not too heavy, and a 2x4 across the subframe and a floor jack will hold it in place enough to get everything started again. Subframe bolts are *supposed* to be replaced, as they are stretch bolts, and there is a tightening order to them also. Read the Bently for the details..



And, if you have the pan off anyway, consider installing this:

<img src="http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/images/windage1.jpg">

For no other reason than it's way cool..!<ul><li><a href="http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/windage.htm">Huw's Windage tray writeup</a></li></ul>

Matt Daniels

I got it off late yesterday, thanks for the advice though.

Matt Daniels

So I ordered a gasket for the oil pickup tube from Autohaus AZ - the photo shows an O-ring and that's what I got:

<img src="http://www.autohausaz.com/secure/PartImages/034115427C.jpg">

When I finally got the pan and oil pump off, it's pretty apparent that this o-ring is not correct.

I don't see the correct one on Autohaus' website at all. Anyone know where I can get one?

I won't be putting all this back together until next weekend, so I can easily order one online this week and have it in time.

Thanks.

yodasfro

Pick-up tube gasket is paper and should come in the lower end gasket kit.