Another leaky VCG thread...

[$chlitz]

Hey all...so I definitely have a leaking VCG. Smoke coming from rear of valve cover, getting into cabin. Just started a few weeks ago after a few REALLY cold days here in Wisconsin. Car currently has 127k on it. I replaced this gasket once already about 3 years/30k miles ago (Victor Reinz gasket set). Already ordered OEM BMW gasket set from ECS Tuning. Now, before I go and replace the gasket(s) again, I'm curious to try and figure out if maybe my CCV caused the leak. I replaced the CCV a little over 3 years ago as well, but neglected to use the cold weather version (didn't even know it existed until after I had already ordered parts). I pulled the oil cap off and there is really no vacuum at all, but that could be because the VCG is already blown out. On a few of the REALLY REALLY cold days (below 20f), there is a loud kind of honking/screeching noise (don't know how else to describe it) right on startup that lasts for 10-30 seconds. Could this be a frozen CCV or would it more likely be a failing secondary air pump? I do have lots of mayo in my oil, but pretty sure in the 4 years I've owned this thing there's always been a fair amount of mayo. I guess I just don't want to replace the VCG only to have it blow out again on a really cold day because of something else that is faulty. Any way to test and see if the CCV may have caused the VCG leak, short of pulling everything off to inspect it? Replacing the CCV system was definitely the most difficult, curse-word-inducing job I've done on my X5 yet, and I REALLY am not looking forward to doing it again. Actually considering going the PCV/catch can route, if it turns out it needs replacing again.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

[Calipsoe]

I can tell you a failing secondary air pump will cause the "Service Engine Soon" light to come on so you can easily rule that out. Also I just did my VCG and while shopping for the VCG I looked into the popular brands and people seemed to be choosing Elring over Victor Reinz. You should be safe if you bought a genuine BMW gasket.

[$chlitz]

Yeah, I've read plenty of threads about which VCG set is best. I decided to go with OEM (at least according to ECS), which we still don't really know for certain who manufactures it. I haven't had a Service Engine Soon light in quite some time (knock on wood), just figured since it was within seconds of startup, it might be SAP. Probably is that stupid CCV freezing up.

Has anyone else experienced any noise upon startup when CCV is frozen? It almost sounds like someone blowing their nose...haha...I just don't know how else to describe it. It's lower pitched, but still a screeching honking noise. I've yet to pop the hood when it's happening, but with the hood closed it does seem to be coming from driver's side of engine bay.

[TiAgX5]

The Genuine BMW gasket set is made of DuPont Viton.

The non-Viton gaskets only last around 2 or 3 yrs, Viton VCGs will last a decade.

[Calipsoe]

Regarding that honking sound it is definitely coming from the CCV however it doesnt mean it is shot. Last winter I heard that noise a couple times when the temps got down in the 20's. Since I had just bought the car I decided to do the CCV anyway later that spring. The CCV I took out appeared to be only a couple years old at best and seemed to be functioning fine.

One thing you might want to check though is to make sure the oil dipstick drain tube is not clogged. Better yet you might want to replace the dipstick with the Cold Climate model that allows for better drainage into the oil pan.

Cold Climate Dipstick Part Number: 11437563831

Cold climate version dipstick guide tube, a common upgrade over the standard guide tube

This cold weather dipstick guide tube has been designed for colder environments and to prevent oil caking inside the guide tube. Commonly the oil traveling through the oil separator hose at the bottom of the dipstick can condense when cold causing blockages. When replacing the PCV system in your X5 it is also worthwhile to inspect the guide tube and to replace if it is clogged up.

[$chlitz]

The VCG is definitely leaking. The VCG will definitely be replaced by OEM gasket set. I've read most all the threads on VCG manufacturers, materials, longevity, etc, etc, etc, so I've got all that. VCG isn't really my question. I'm more interested to know how I can tell if my CCV is bad without pulling everything off the engine just to remove the stupid valve. Also, if the CCV freezing is what caused my VCG leak, or just old age of the gasket, and what that awful sub-20 degree startup noise might be...

[$chlitz]

I supposed I should just suck it up and do the whole shebang:

Cold Weather dipstick tube
Cold Weather CCV system (or PCV/Catch can mod)
Valve Cover Gasket set

Should probably do them in that order as well, huh? Soooooo not looking forward to swapping out that CCV system. If I remember from last time, you need hands the size of a 5 year old to get all those stupid hoses connected.

[Calipsoe]

If your doing the CCV you might as well do the oil filter housing gasket to head off any oil leaks down the road. (Or it might already be leaking and you do not realize it yet.) Taking the oil filter housing off makes installing the CCV a breeze. If you do go that route...Bavarian Auto sells a version of the gasket made of viton for $20 that will last much longer than the oem gasket. And since you'll have the alternator off...might as well put on some new belts!

[$chlitz]

Funny, I've had an oil filter housing gasket laying around for a few years now, just never got around to doing it. Not sure who the manufacturer is, will have to check. I'm sure it's probably leaking. Already did belts, water pump, pulleys/idlers, Vanos rebuild a few years back. Not looking to make this thing oil-tight (is that even possible?? haha!), mostly just want to fix the oil burning going on at the moment as it's pretty annoying. Don't want to go through all the trouble of replacing the VCG only to have it blow out on me again, so trying to nail down the cause of it and fix that first. Thanks for all your input!

[$chlitz]

Crap. Do I really need to remove the fan again to do the oil filter housing gasket? That thing was a NIGHTMARE to get back on last time. Ugh... Again, a job that requires hands the size of a five year old.