3.0d Vacuum reservoir pipe replacement

[glenc]

Hi folks

Looking at the reservoir from the front of the car, the left hand pipe comes under the reservoir then back up, over the top of the front of the engine, under the intake manifold(I assume) and then plugs into some sort of small manifold that distributes to 4/5 outputs it seems. The pipe from the reservoir is badly worn so I am trying to replace it, but how the hell do you get to that little manifold to unplug / connect there?! Perhaps my hands are just too big but I can't wiggle the damn pipe off, let alone figure out how I will get the new one on Any advice/guidance would be greatly appreciated! Have attached a pic of where the little manifold is located.

[powers1]

Hi Glenc,
The vac reservoir is on the other side (turbo side)!Suggest you first do a vacuum leak test and start with the vac reservoir pipes as they are easier to get to!
That pic you posted shows,the power steering reservoir ,oil filter housing and that blue/black vac pipe is for the EGR valve and originates from the EGR valve pressure converter solenoid under the inlet manifold!
You will need to remove the manifold to access it and the vac pipe t junction you mentioned!

[glenc]

Thank you powers1

I should have put up the pic of the reservoir on the left - I was aware of that being the origin, and was trying to figure out how to get to the little junction you refer to.

Ok, so I have to take off the manifold - will search the forums on how that's done, thank you

Here are some pics:
So here is where they start as you rightly point out:


The pipe goes from the left hand side of the reservoir over the top front of the engine here (ignore the pipe bending off to the left - that's the replacement I am trying to fit :


And end up underneath the manifold here, where it then joins the junction (note, this is the pipe in the middle of the picture, just behind the sterring reservoir):


The pipe from the reservoir is badly worn...

Originally Posted by powers1

Hi Glenc,
The vac reservoir is on the other side (turbo side)!Suggest you first do a vacuum leak test and start with the vac reservoir pipes as they are easier to get to!
That pic you posted shows,the power steering reservoir ,oil filter housing and that blue/black vac pipe is for the EGR valve and originates from the EGR valve pressure converter solenoid under the inlet manifold!
You will need to remove the manifold to access it and the vac pipe t junction you mentioned!

[powers1]

That last picture shows the vac pipe in a bad state.Definitely needs to be replaced.
The vac reservoir is known to split ,so I would advise you to disconnect both IN/OUT vac pipes and bypass the reservoir and test !
Listen,why dont just buy 5m of 4mm diametre silcone vac pipe off Ebay and this should cover you ,for all the replacement pipes.
Black 5m x 4mm SILICONE VACUUM HOSE TUBE Water Air Coolant Dump Valve Radiator | eBay

Other thing to look out for that affects vaccum ,are the 2 pressure converters,one that controls the turbo and the other the EGR valve.They are exactly the same reference,so are interchangeable.If you have your EGR disable and your pressure converter solenoid is fine but your turbo´s isnt,you can use this.

To remove the inlet manifold isnt too difficult or need for any special tools ,just be patient and take your time,you should be fine.

[glenc]

powers1

I will have a go, thank you for your advice! I'll be sure to reach out if I run into problems tho

Originally Posted by powers1

That last picture shows the vac pipe in a bad state.Definitely needs to be replaced.
The vac reservoir is known to split ,so I would advise you to disconnect both IN/OUT vac pipes and bypass the reservoir and test !
Listen,why dont just buy 5m of 4mm diametre silcone vac pipe off Ebay and this should cover you ,for all the replacement pipes.
Black 5m x 4mm SILICONE VACUUM HOSE TUBE Water Air Coolant Dump Valve Radiator | eBay

Other thing to look out for that affects vaccum ,are the 2 pressure converters,one that controls the turbo and the other the EGR valve.They are exactly the same reference,so are interchangeable.If you have your EGR disable and your pressure converter solenoid is fine but your turbo´s isnt,you can use this.

To remove the inlet manifold isnt too difficult or need for any special tools ,just be patient and take your time,you should be fine.

[powers1]

Just some more pointers!
That Black/blue vac hose pipe comes from the PC solenoid which is right at the back of inlet manifold.

I notice on the picture showing the vac reservoir ,you have some oil residue on the turbo to intercooler alu pipe !What happenned there?
You also have a cap ,missing from the AC refil pipe.

[glenc]

Thank you!

I have no idea how oil got there. This damn beast was with BMW for 2 months while they tried to sort out issues - eventually telling me they wanted more than the value of the car to replace the gearbox! Told them where to shove it and got a recon one my local fitted. Not many BMW specialists around here unfortunately The car has been giving me so much grief - probably been in the workshop for 6 out of 12 months so likely just a spill from the mechanic or something? I hope so anyway. One of the reasons I posted in the "dumb ass questions" forum about how to clean the engine - so I can clean it all up and see where there are problems. I'm used to working on old cars without electronics - these new ones scare the crud out of me

Originally Posted by powers1

Just some more pointers!
That Black/blue vac hose pipe comes from the PC solenoid which is right at the back of inlet manifold.

I notice on the picture showing the vac reservoir ,you have some oil residue on the turbo to intercooler alu pipe !What happenned there?
You also have a cap ,missing from the AC refil pipe.

[powers1]

No problem!Good luck with the work.If you need anything else, let us know
Cya
Fernando

[glenc]

thanks for the help!

Originally Posted by powers1

No problem!Good luck with the work.If you need anything else, let us know
Cya
Fernando

[glenc]

I'm baaaackkkkk.....and as we say in South Africa "in a bit of kak!"

I managed to replace that one vacuum pipe that was so badly worn....but now have issues
1. There is another pipe I want to replace that I just can't get to. It's sitting toward the cabin side of the engine and is indicated by the red arrow below. The green one is fine. How on earth do I get to it to replace it?



2. Now for the "oh kak" part. In trying to get one of the hoses off I broke something From what I can see it's the Fuel Return Line, part number 13537786005. The little plastic nipple broke. Is it possible to get just that union or do I have to replace the whole thing?



Oh man, what have I done starting to pull things apart on this beast!