Oil Separator Valve DIY?

[Boston X5 4.4]

Originally Posted by primetime

As I stated above...A member here has done it. His name is lojack...PM him and maybe he will help you in further detail.

PM lo_jack or search the umpteen threads on oil separator, crankcase ventilation or similar

Hre a quick CnP from Lo_jack


lo_jack
Member


My friend who was a BMW tech said that the way he did it was remove the vacuum block from its mount on the intake manifold. I did that and pulled the air intake system, for the mostpart. I also moved something mounted to the front left corner (driver's side) of the manifold slightly so I could wdege a tool in to reach those screws. I forget what that thing was but it was only a couple bolts, and it went right back on.

After that, I was able to get the old sperator and all the hoses out, and a new one back in. It is not easy, and you have to screw those screws in nearly blind.

There is no reason to take the intake manifold off. I would not want to do that. Unless you are talking about the intake snorkel from the airbox to the throttlebody, in which case you probabl need the space.

I replaced my ICV at the same time, so I ended up taking off a bit more stuff than needed for just the sperator.

I put the upper hose onto the seperator before I positioned it, and threaded it up through the runner of the intake manifold to its correct location on the distribution piece (which I also replaced, btw), but the rest I clicked on after I had the sperator in place. That is a pain, but it is difficult to get the seperator in place with all the hoses on.

BTW he rightly told me, that you will probably break the old seperator in half getting it out. I did.


Anyhow, I did the whole job in about 2.5 hours and didn't screw anything up, and didn't have to take anything else off the car to do it. That is they way the techs do it (they dont take the intake maniold off) so that is the way I did it. Your hands will be mangled, but you will have saved yourself $1000.