Crankcase Ventilation Freezing Up

[Phyber0ptik]

Originally Posted by X5HogTown

It is freezing condensation in the line or breather, no question. My travel pattern did not change over 6 years so I'm starting to believe the dealer was correct in prescribing 0W-40. I'm not sure why this makes a difference but I'm hoping for a 4th problem-free winter.

I had the same issue with the wife's X5 last year. I even posted some pictures up here of a cut open crank case vent hose so everyone can see the kind of gunk that builds up and freezes.

I ended up changing out the vent hoses, and switching to German Castrol 0-30, seems to have worked like a charm. No issues so far, even with the -25 we had down here in Calgary a few weeks ago.

To speak further about how short trips may affect this isssue, a couple of the tech's I spoke with indicated to me that short trips in cold weather will definitly exasperate the issue, due to the oil not getting hot enough to evaporate the built up moisture.

So just to be on the safe side, I make sure that ours get's a good thrashing once a day or so.

[drbgm]

I've been looking into this as well lately. Last year I replaced the valve cover gasket and only cleaned the hoses to the oil separator.

There is a "Cold Country Version" for the 3.0l PN 11-61-7-534-237 with insulated hoses and valve.

Local dealer in Winnipeg is doing a lot of them as people have been buying cars from the US that aren't neccesarily fitted with this part. They also want to change the steel dipstick tube?? and the hose from the valve to the dipstick, as a minimum. Checked with a dealer in Minneapolis and they carry the parts and are doing the upgrades as well.

[fepat55]

phyberoptik: I note that you are in Calgary. I am in Edmonton, Your comment about using 0W30 is interesting because the service manager @ Bavaria here in Edmonton suggested the same thing. Do you really think this would help? I have had all the upgraded tubes and insulated lines installed and still my lines freeze up. I use 5 W 40 oil currently and I also run my engine long enough so that the oil is warm but still the same problem. Any thoughts?

[BimmerDude]

All I can say is that when this happend to me, it came on a day of freezing below zero temps. Thank God for my ext. warranty. But shame on BMW for putting this stupid design on there cars. I've never heard of this being a problem for a Ford, Chevy, MB or any other manu. I think there should be a perm. fix. So far I've had this heater thing on since my brake down last winter. So far no problems, but again it hasen't been below zero yet. I guess we will see...

[fepat55]

Phyberoptik; Where did you get the German 0W30 oil??

[flatlander]

Mechanic said that this happens on BMWs (and Mercedes too). He said that without positive crankcase ventilation, the oil will push through the weakest spot. He did not know of any fix that would help however, except for allowing the oil to reach it's running temp (around 180F he said), which means longer trips.

Incidentally I talked with my Kansas City BMW dealer (Baron) about covering the repair (my passengers side valve cover leaked suddenly). They would not cover it and they said that they had no knowledge of this being a problem (no TSB, no campaigns, etc.). I even showed them many of the posts from X5World on this issue, but to no avail.

The repair cost me $550 at local German specialists shop.

[Phyber0ptik]

Originally Posted by fepat55

Phyberoptik; Where did you get the German 0W30 oil??

I get mine over at PartSource. Just look for the Castrol stuff, then find the 0W30. Make sure you read the back of the bottle, it will say "Made in Germany" on it. Only seems to come in liter bottles. I really should find myself a wholesaler and buy it by the 60 gallon drum, with 7 BMW's in the family I seem to go through the stuff like its water...

[fepat55]

Thanks for the location. I also have a bevy of bimmers. The 530xi touring doesn't have the same problem with the crankcase but i notice that the engine bay must be better insulated because I the engine stays warmer longer after i shut it off. This may be the reason
I will contact the Castrol Rep to see where i can get the 0W 30 and post it to you if I find a better source What was the cost at part source?
I only encounter the problem when the temperature hits minus 20. Wonder Why??

[Phyber0ptik]

I can't remember exactly, but I think it's about 10 bucks a bottle tax in.

Let me know what the castrol rep says, would be nice to find this stuff cheaper.

[motordavid]

10 bucks...whew.
Mobil 1 0-40 is about $4 USD a qt at many WalMarts
here in the states. Not sure if it's "european", but I
like the 0-40 in cooler temps.
GL,mD

Mobil 1 0-40: http://www.mobil1.com/USA-English/Mo...l_1_0W-40.aspx