How I keep oil out of my intake aka ProVent 100 (pics n stuff)

[J.Belknap]

Ok so I guess I should preface this with a disclaimer that my CCV system is a little different than a normal M62 motor.

The Dinan SC kit has a cnc milled intake manifold back plate that is tapped for just the brake booster & vac lines. The oem intake manifold mounted PCV goes away. An external pcv from a BMW 318ti is used.

If you want to see how my CCV routing works, diagrams from Dinan are in this thread.

The oem oil air separator was not enough for my needs, so I installed a Mann-Hummel ProVent 100. It is filtered with a coalescing media. It is located downstream of the oem oil air separator outlet but before the 318ti pcv inlet. The ProVent 100 drains to the smaller of the two OEM oil sump drain pipes. It is mounted less than 45 degrees from level for good draining, and uses as short of a route as possible to prevent crankcase gasses from condensation in the lines.

I don't have before/after oil consumption info as my rear main seal needs replacing and that would skew the data.

I have put about 2000 miles on the X5 since installation. I have gained 10% mpg and a notable little bump in power. Less oil and more oxygen going into the motor is always a great thing.

Anyhow, on to the pics. You can see that the oem oil separator is in place and the ProVent adds a second round of separation. Unfortunately, I have to do a lot of adapting to different sizes, hence all the hose clamps. Please excuse the sorta dusty engine bay.

[J.Belknap]

Side note, for keeping boost where it needs to be, I use Breeze Hi-Torque SS w liner 5/8" hose clamps for constant 360 degree compression. These are the same modest looking hose clamps that AMS uses on their Alpha / Omega GTR. They do the job better than T-bolts, better than Murray clamps. I use these on all of my turbo/SC stuff.

[mam4.6]

A+++ for ingenuity!! Beautiful ProVent setup! I know our piping is a bit different, but what would the chances of installing one in my system?

[J.Belknap]

Thanks man, I'm pretty happy with it.

Originally Posted by mam4.6

what would the chances of installing one in my system?

Is it needed?

Is there excess oil mist getting by the PCV? If you really want to take the plunge, it could be configured..... you would need to:

Reroute the oil separator outlet hose, cap off the oem PCV inlet
Reroute the secondary oil drain hose, cap off the oem PCV port
Acquire & fit a 318ti PCV & Dinan 318ti PCV hose adapter
Create a point to inject crankcase gases into your intake after the MAF
Acquire & fit the ProVent 100 with various sizes of hose and hose adapters rated for hot oil

McMaster Carr
1/2" to 1/4" straight (1)
3/4" elbows (2)
3/4" to 5/8" straight (1)
5/8" elbow (1)

Gates LOC-1 high temp hose
1/2" 3'
3/4" 3'
5/8" 3'

[mam4.6]

Originally Posted by J.Belknap

Is it needed?

When I had my throttle body off to clean it this past weekend, I notice quite a bit of oil in the intake manifold. That's coming from somewhere.

Have you ever had your X at the quarter mile? I'm going to a Test 'n' Tune in Norwalk this summer sometime, and would be interested in what the difference is in our numbers...

[Ricky Bobby]

Jay, as always, beautiful work done right. You are the Mike Holmes of the E53 world.

In your professional opinion would you think a MannHummel Pro-Vent would be a beneficial way to have a more efficient running M54 CCV system? I have the OEM cold weather CCV now, but I'm looking to burn less oil in between oil changes and with the other fixes out there such as running a PCV straight to the Valve Cover and blocking off the CCV, or adding a catch can in-line, which would be the best way? All things considered, I'm not leaking oil anywhere so it is definitely the OEM CCV system. I burn about a quart every 1500-2000 miles. Coming from 2 VW's who never ate a drop of oil in between oil changes, this concerns me.

I can post up an M54 diagram for reference but you may be familiar with it. I'm wary about deleting the OEM CCV completely as many are delivering higher vaccuum to the crankcase with it, unsure of long term effects.

If there was a way I could possibly plumb the ProVent100 or a catch-can in addition to the stock system would I also see similar benefits as you?

Let me know your 2 pennies,


EDIT: Obviously the updated cold weather parts do work well (on the M54), is it possible to combine the OEM CCV system with a Catch can or ProVent 100, 150, etc inline to filter out excess oil vapor and moisture?

[Riggodeaux]

I'm with Ricky Bobby on this. I've been leery about the oil catch can solution, and hoped for an elegant CCV fix from the guys who do the DISA upgrade, but its nowhere to be seen.

[Ricky Bobby]

Apparently its about time for them, but again, its been a long time coming. I theorized in the catch can thread about possibly plumbing in a catch can, in-line with the OEM CCV system, to keep the CCV tract cleaner and to keep oil mist and sludge from returning to the crankcase via the VC return line on the CCV.

Take a long at the thread I bumped earlier today, I don't want to hijack JB's thread.

[J.Belknap]

Originally Posted by mam4.6

When I had my throttle body off to clean it this past weekend, I notice quite a bit of oil in the intake manifold. That's coming from somewhere.

Have you ever had your X at the quarter mile? I'm going to a Test 'n' Tune in Norwalk this summer sometime, and would be interested in what the difference is in our numbers...

Have not had it at a dragstrip, would love to guestimate a 12.99999 sec 1/4 mile.

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Jay, as always, beautiful work done right. You are the Mike Holmes of the E53 world.

In your professional opinion would you think a MannHummel Pro-Vent would be a beneficial way to have a more efficient running M54 CCV system? I have the OEM cold weather CCV now, but I'm looking to burn less oil in between oil changes and with the other fixes out there such as running a PCV straight to the Valve Cover and blocking off the CCV, or adding a catch can in-line, which would be the best way? All things considered, I'm not leaking oil anywhere so it is definitely the OEM CCV system. I burn about a quart every 1500-2000 miles. Coming from 2 VW's who never ate a drop of oil in between oil changes, this concerns me.

I can post up an M54 diagram for reference but you may be familiar with it. I'm wary about deleting the OEM CCV completely as many are delivering higher vaccuum to the crankcase with it, unsure of long term effects.

If there was a way I could possibly plumb the ProVent100 or a catch-can in addition to the stock system would I also see similar benefits as you?

Let me know your 2 pennies,


EDIT: Obviously the updated cold weather parts do work well (on the M54), is it possible to combine the OEM CCV system with a Catch can or ProVent 100, 150, etc inline to filter out excess oil vapor and moisture?

We covered a lot of this in the other thread today but I will say I have bought and returned a ProVent 200 and 150.

The 200 is WAY huge, and has 1" ports. Would require remote mounting and long hoses so no go. The 150 isn't a bad size but the outlet port on the rear mounting bracket or left side made it too large for my desired location. The ProVent 100 has four outlet port configurations and fits perfect. The location above the valve cover means short hoses, and it stays HOT.

Originally Posted by Riggodeaux

I'm with Ricky Bobby on this. I've been leery about the oil catch can solution, and hoped for an elegant CCV fix from the guys who do the DISA upgrade, but its nowhere to be seen.

I hope you guys figure a good way. For the M62 my rationale was OEM cyclonic w/drain to handle the bulk of the work, then filtering fine oil mist w/drain via ProVent, then allow steam to exit through 318ti PCV.

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Apparently its about time for them, but again, its been a long time coming. I theorized in the catch can thread about possibly plumbing in a catch can, in-line with the OEM CCV system, to keep the CCV tract cleaner and to keep oil mist and sludge from returning to the crankcase via the VC return line on the CCV.

Take a long at the thread I bumped earlier today, I don't want to hijack JB's thread.

Oil mist should go back via drain, steam and cc gases should go out to intake. Sludge shouldn't exist because we change oil often and we get our motors to full temp often.

Believe it or not there's a lot of good reading on crankcase ventilation on prop plane forums.

[mam4.6]

Originally Posted by J.Belknap

Have not had it at a dragstrip, would love to guestimate a 12.99999 sec 1/4 mile.

I'll post some numbers once I have them. Very interested in yours...