Quick question. I'm removing the timing cover and I've undone the 15 front bolts holding the cover but their are two more from underneath via the sump. Do I need to drain the oil? I'm removing the heads and thought I didn't need to drain the oil for this procedure and there's conflicting info on the net as usual.
X-Type 2005 3.0 litre

 

MOnkfish, you should not need to remove the oil from the engine, but hte oil level is going to be pretty close to where those bolts are. So, if the car is sitting a little down towards those bolts, the oil level may be high enough to come out. So, remove the bolts, but have a small pan capable of catching say a quart of fluid handy.