Another leaky VCG thread...

[80stech]

There is a post somewhere that shows how to use a leather shoe lace or something similar to get the fan back on. Works slick! It would be interesting to see if you still have the honking noise with oil filler cap off or loose. If your CCCV is frozen you might be getting a pressurized crankcase and the pressure is finding it's way out the VCG which might be saving your valve cover.

[$chlitz]

Originally Posted by 80stech

There is a post somewhere that shows how to use a leather shoe lace or something similar to get the fan back on. Works slick!

Wow! Thanks for that tip! Found the post on another forum. I'll definitely be trying this method!

The biggest issue I have with everything here is that my X5 is my main vehicle. I'm anticipating a good weekend's worth of work to replace entire CCV system, OFH gasket and VCG (of course, accounting for more than a few "cooling off" breaks--for me, not the car!). I'm also anticipating something breaking and needing at least one unexpected part. Since it's the middle of winter with plenty of snow and ice on the ground, I can't exactly hop on the Sportster and run to the dealership or parts store for that unexpected part. And I need to be able to get to work on Monday morning. If I just keep an eye on my oil level, I'm wondering how long I can put these repairs off...

[80stech]

If it's a freezing problem replacing the CCCV system might not be the answer. Read some of my other posts.

[$chlitz]

Originally Posted by 80stech

If it's a freezing problem replacing the CCCV system might not be the answer. Read some of my other posts.

Any chance you could be a bit more specific? When I click on your name and go to "Find all posts..." it shows me every single post AND comment you ever made. I'm not really about to sift through them all...

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by 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.

A failing secondary air pump will not always cause a service engine light.

[bcredliner]

You should be able to pinpoint a honking sound loud enough to hear from the inside if you are under the hood. I would do the troubleshooting before tearing into it.

[80stech]

[squidzilla]

My auto 3.0 is leaking from the VCG as well. To get around the burning oil smell in the car I keep the lower vent and upper vent climate control buttons on. Or turn them all off but that is not practical in the winter. For some reason I only get the only smell if I press the climate control button that allows the air to blow on my face. If it works for you, maybe you can buy yourself some time and do it in the spring.

[$chlitz]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

You should be able to pinpoint a honking sound loud enough to hear from the inside if you are under the hood. I would do the troubleshooting before tearing into it.

Yeah, I know. It really only happens when it's below 20f and the engine is cold, which is pretty much leaving for work in the am and leaving work in the PM. It's a bit tricky trying to start the car with your head under the hood at the same time. I live alone, so no help in the am, but I might be able to get someone at work to start it up while I listen under the hood...just need to wait for some more really cold days, been upper 20s to low 40s here lately, so no audible honk.

[bcredliner]

As already mentioned, check to see if the oil filler cap is secure and sealing. Since you replaced the belts check to make sure they are tight, slipping belts don't sound like a honking noise but I don't know what horn you are referencing. Sound could be coming from the dipstick, or even from a leaking VCG. Could be very low power steering fluid but usually that sound doesn't go away, certainly not at full lock. You said you are positive it is a VCG leaking oil, have you checked if there is a power steering leak that could causing the smell?

If there is no vacuum at the oil fill hole it is sucking air somewhere else. Lots of places there could be a vacuum leak but you haven't mentioned a loss of performance or poor idle.

When the secondary air pump is bad it makes a grinding or whirring noise for the minute or so it is running when cold started. That would be any cold start not just under 20 degrees. It also causes a rough idle until the exhaust temp get hot enough for the engine to be in a closed loop mode.

That said, Mayo is key symptom associated with CCV system malfunctioning but with sound going away so quickly and no excessive vacuum at the oil fill or dipstick I don't think it is a sure thing.

I don't know how much mayo you are seeing and you mentioned it has been the same for a long time but I would be very concerned not knowing why it is there. There is always risk driving a vehicle when something is wrong and you don't know what. My guess is that a VCG leak and the honking are not connected and that the VCG would not be the weakest link and go out again, but that is entirely a guess. If the VCG is leaking you could put try sealing it externally well enough to see if the honking and leak are connected. Did you confirm the VCG is leaking by cleaning the engine and watch for new oil to appear?

I would do more troubleshooting before buying parts. If the honking goes away quickly, is only under 20 degrees and you aren't losing a pint a day I personally might take the risk driving it but I would do more troubleshooting to be as sure as possible I wouldn't cause much bigger problems by doing so.