retter1126

Hi all! I have a 26 year old GTS with old car issues. I can't stomach the labor costs any more so am getting my 928 degree through YouTube and Rennlist. It's a really fulfilling mission and thankfully I have a Harbor Freight 15 minutes away.

I'm working on replacing the power steering reservoir and oil pan gasket. I apologize in advance for such a simple issue, however, how do you get the belly pan off? I have all the bolts pulled, but the two wonky clips in the middle are stumping me. The pan is actually in good shape so I don't want to damage it. I'm sure it's simple. Any advice is welcome!

Thanks!

Ryan

GregBBRD

I hate to discourage anyone, but if you can't get the lower tray off, you might be over your head.

Mrmerlin

Post a picture of the bolts you have removed and where they cam from

my guess is the 2 bolts that go in next to the NACA duct housings they should be 8 mm heads
Note thes are recessed bolts so they are hidden unless you look up into the respective hole
take a flash light and shine from the rear towards the front you will see these bolts through the louvers

worf928

This ——^

7 fasteners along the front
2 into the steering rack guard
2 into the ducts

2 for the ears of the metal belly pan
2 to secure the metal belly pan to the hangers

Remove the plastic and metal belly pans as a single assembly.

worf928

First: welcome (perhaps a bit tardy considering you 'been here' for over a decade.)

I applaud your goal of getting a '928 degree.' That said, I kinda agree with Greg (but see below.) However, if you're never in over your head you'll not learn much. The most important tool in your 'toolbox' is patience. This is especially true when you get in over your head.

So... keep going. Ask questions and ponder the answers until you are comfortable.

All that written, doing an oil pan gasket is not even close to a 'beginner' task on a 928. I suspect that there are easier and more-satisfying (for both you and your GTS) tasks that you should start with.

I would advise that you leave the oil pan gasket leaking and work your way 'down' to it. A leaking OPG, while nasty, doesn't pose performance or safety issues (mostly, assuming it's not spewing oil onto the manifolds.) Start with timing-belt, intake refresh, cam cover refresh and by the time you get those done you'll be ready for the OPG and motor mounts.

Download my inspection guide (URL is in my signature) and go through it. Pay special attention to the electrical tests. I'll bet you'll find something there that will be a good 'starter' task in terms of fixing things.

Strosek Ultra

928 Engine Mount & Oil Pan Gasket

You Tube

It is really easy to make your own oil pan gasket which is superior to original cork gasket.
Anyone with a pair of scissors and a 7mm hollow punch can make his own oil pan gasket, it is a piece of cake.
I am using the AFM 37/8 sealant material from Victor Reinz. Thickness 1,0 mm or 1,5 mm. More thicknesses are available too.
Can be found on eBay.
Åke

belgiumbarry

Ake, 40 years ago i've done it that way.....now i NEED my lift....and even than my back hurts …..

Strosek Ultra

Barry, it is the age we all suffer from. The last 20-25 years I have had a lift in the shop but crawling under cars will help you stay young, movable and agile also at higher age.
Åke

belgiumbarry

crawling under cars is no problem …. getting back on my feet is another thing .

Petza914

Welcome and way to dig in. The guys here walked me through an engine removal this time last year.

Those of us who work on these 928s are all artists, just a different kind

Mrmerlin

It would have been nice if they made the belly pans with access holes to change the oil and filter

as it is an oil change on an S4 is a time consuming adventure not to mention all the different kinds of fasteners that are put back in
by creative mechanics
At this point removing the pans and leaving them off while you contemplating service needs will be prudent
just secure the front spoiler lower edge so it stays up otherwise you can catch it backing out of a driveway

Kevin in Atlanta

This is my S4 belly pan complete with access panel to do oil changes without dropping the entire belly pan.

Zirconocene

KinATL: Is that some customization you did yourself? I need replacement belly pans and if that's part of a product that's already offered, it goes to the top of my list.

Sweet stuff.

Cheers

Kevin in Atlanta

This is a complete new product of my own design that features an access panel for oil changes and removable front legs to simplify R & R of the belly pan. Negotiating with a 928 vendor on rollout soon.

slownrusty

Pulling the oil pan to change the gasket is a fairly big job and getting the car as high off the ground as possible is highly recommended. You have to drop the cross member and support the engine from the top, so you might as well install new engine mounts and steering rack bushings.