Oil Seperator

[lo_jack]

Out of curiosity klnteg - what is the condition of your oil filter housing seal?

I ask because I am wondering if there is a relationship between separator failure and filter seal failure. I don't have any data besides my one point, but I wonder if 1) a leaking filter housing seal could aggravate separator problems, or 2) vice versa. I am fairly certain of number 2 (this is like the valve cover gasket problem), but I don't know about number 1.

[klnteg]

not sure of the conditon. I normally do my own work but I have no garage at the moment so I had to send it in. how many of you changed to 0W-40 oil? Should I be changing to that aswell? Also? What relation would the oil filter housing seal have to do with separator? I just dont see the link there?

Thanks

[djbock]

Originally Posted by klnteg

What relation would the oil filter housing seal have to do with separator? I just dont see the link there?

Thanks

I think that it just another route that the oil is blowing out of, other than the valve cover gaskets or oil fill cap.

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by klnteg

What relation would the oil filter housing seal have to do with separator? I just dont see the link there?

Thanks

I think because the system is pressurized is why it would be a concern?

[lo_jack]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

I think because the system is pressurized is why it would be a concern?

That's where I was going with that. Separator failure tends to pressurize the lube system and blows out valve cover gaskets. Certainly, if your filter housing seal was already shot, a dead separator would help blow more oil out of that location as well. What I am curious about is any correlation or causation relationship between the filter housing seal and the separator - either way, the same way we mostly know to look at separators if your valve cover gasket is leaking.

But there isn't enough data for that.

[klnteg]

after my separator went the first time my valve cover gskts were leaking but very little. So I left them alone, and I will replace them in the spring. Is there any way someone could send me a picture of the new separator??

[GershX5]

What years is the oil separator a problem?

[primetime]

Originally Posted by GershX5

What years is the oil separator a problem?

They go at a certain mileage range...around 70k to 100kmiles... If you're asking what models have the most problems it is the 2000-2003 models that usually have the most seperator problems..

[Dima1978]

Is valve cover gasket a witch to replace or is it bunch bolts and piece of rubber. I don't want to start doing if it takes too long.
What are the part numbers for valve cover gasket replacement + separator.
This is what I have found here: http://www.bimmerspecialist.com/usa/...ls/11617534237
only 2 hoses. Will it be OK to replace 2, is it the right part? Indy shop wants 1600(everything). Thank you all.

[flatlander]

lo_jack, I think you are correct in the relationship of the oil filter seal with the oil separator issue. After my oil separator went, I replaced the valve cover gasket, separator and hoses. A few weeks later I found that my oil filter seal had failed too. I think it failed as a result of the over-pressure from the separator failure.

This separator system design is just plain amateur, sub standard, POS, whatever you want to call it. BMW should be embarrassed with this design. I've never had this issue with any other car.

This winter I've decided to keep the X5 in the heated garage, no driving whatsoever. I'm driving my Ford in this sub-freezing temps.