First off, thanks hosickjg!

I had to remove my oil pan this week and I was shocked to find that there is no DIY for how to remove a sump, but lots of people seem to be looking for information about this job. I took photos of my experience so here goes:

Before I start, this is a difficult job. If you have never replaced a transmission, engine or clutch in a front wheel drive car, DON'T ATTEMPT! I rate this a 7.5/10

First Step:
Take the car to an air conditioning specialist and have the air conditioning system discharged.

Second step:
Unhook battery

Third step:
Put this front clip in the service position . This just means taking weight off the front end. After doing this remove all the bottom covers to expose the oil pan.



Fourth step:
Support the transmission using a jack and wood so you don't damage the transmission. Remove the lower A/C line off the compressor.





Fifth Step:
Loosen the rear bolts (one on each side) for the front sub-frame. Do NOT take them out. Loosen them so about 1 inch is sticking out.



Next:
Drain the oil from the engine. Remove the oil pan engine mount and turbo return line.



Next:
Remove the bottom engine mount bolts on the left and right side engine mounts.





Next:
This step is optional. I found it easier to access some of the oil pan bolts at the back of the pan but you can do this job without this step. I removed the coolant reservoir and throttle body.



Next:
Place another jack under the front of the sub-frame. Remove the front sub-frame bolts (there are 3 on each side). Lower the sub-frame using the jack. The sub-frame should drop about 8 inches. This drop will allow you to access the rear oil pan bolts.

Next:
Undo all the oil pan bolts. You will need a 16mm socket and a 10mm socket. Unhook the oil level sensor. Now is the tricky part. I wish I had a guide to tell me about the 2 hidden bolts. There are 2 windows between the transmission and oil pan. Inside these windows you will see the fly wheel. Turn the fly wheel until you see a gap in the fly-wheel and through that gap you see a bolt. You will need a LONG 5mm hex-key to get both these bolts out. Good luck finding one. I found one at Brafasco. I then modified the end with a grinder so it was a flat end and less likely to damage the hex-key bolt. REMEMBER: If you damage this hex-key bolt you will have to remove the transmission and flywheel to get the oil pan off!!!!







Next:
Using a 2x4, pry the sub-frame down enough to remove the oil pan.



Next:
Remove the oil pan. Inspect and clean.





Next:
Apply a thin bead of silicone (buy from Audi!) to the mating surface of the oil pan. REMEMBER: if you over-do the silicone and it gets into the engine that can spell the end of your 1.8 Turbo. They have small oil journals that can be easily clogged.

Next:
Allow the silicone to set for 20 to 30 minutes before installing the oil pan. You want it to start to get tacky. Pry down the sub-frame and install the oil pan. Snug one bolt and each side to start to hold the pan in place.

Next:
Locate the transmission windows and re-install the 2 bolts behind the flywheel. REMEMEBER: These don’t have to be very tight. If you damage them the next person to have to remove this pan is going to be VERY angry.

Next:
Follow all steps in reverse. Fill with oil and anti-freeze. Clean up and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.

 

Everyone!
This is a first class DIY, well documented with great pics!
Kudos and thanks to hosickjg!

 

I edited your post, now it has all the info on there, let me know if anything was missed and thank you for the great writeup.

 

Wow, looks great. Thanks for allowing that to be posted "1move".

Jon

 

Great write up, images are now local

 

Who-ever decided to place those two hidden bolts inside the bell housing should be shot. I was able to remove one of the two, but the bolt in the closer to the center has been fighting me for the last 3 hours. I simply cannot get this bolt out

The car is automatic, and i have placed it in neutral (with the e-brake on) however spinning the flywheel is nearly impossible. Does anyone know of the best way to gain access to flywheel, without dropping the entire subframe/engine/transmission!??!

Thanks in advance for the assistance. Stupid sludge got the best of me

 

Great right up thanks, this job is a pain in the *** eh! think ill let my Audi drip

 

Can i get a full list of tools and stuff i need to do this?

 

This is awesome site...great job for all the information.

 

To the creator/publisher who posted this forum. Excellent job 👏. I'm a vw/audi technician and reviewed the cars manual and many youtube videos to figure out how to get the oil pan in and out nicely. They all say to float the motor but none say to lower the sub frame a little to help the job go smoothly. Anyway I lossened just the 3 k frame bolts on the driver side and it gave me more than enough room to put the oil pan back in nicely. Now when I removed the oil pan I did not lower the sub frame and I broke the plastic wind tray removing the old broken oil pan. To the creator of this forum, I 👏 you. Well done!