oil separator changed, though questions open

[tonydan1]

So, I have story to tell. Last Saturday it was cold, around -15 C. I started the X5 and it made that grinding noise upon startup and then it started. On my way to work, the car started to smell of burnt oil. I made it to my dad's place and oil was leaking. I already knew what the problem was. The oil separator froze. So, I called the dealer and had them send over the "revised" part and a new valve cover gasket. My dad is a mechanic and it is the first time he does this. We put it in and there must of been a hose that was not connected properly. This caused engine misfires and the engine ran really, really bad. So, he took it off again and the hose from the seperator to the valve cover was not tight. He put it back and presto, it worked fine.

Though, when he took off the sperator for a second time, there was water inside the new one also? We found that odd. Is it supposed to have water leaking from the bottom hole. It is the last hole that drips into the dip stick. does anyone know if it should be this way as that I need to know if there is something we missed.

Also, I read another thread that the grinding noise upon start-up was supposed to go away after the new separator is changed. I started it a little while ago, it is -5 c outside, and the noise was there. Any comments on that?

Thanks for your help.

Regards

[Weasel]

As for the noise, it depends on the noise as there are numerous noises possible at cold start...

And if I had to guess, I'm thinking the water/excessive moisture in the oil system could be partially from a short trip style driving profile. When there are primarily short trips the oil barely ever reaches its full operating temperature to expel the water vapors. If there is water in the system it will be turned into vapor by the heated oil after driving, and the separator would be where it cools and condenses. There was actually a service information bulletin on some models for problems with the oil level/quality sensor caused by moisture in the system caused by continuous short trip driving.

Either way, the water in the oil goes away with an oil change.

[switchman]

what is this oil separator look like ? can u post a pic ? i need to work on my wife's e39 'coz i'm seeing the milky substance on dipstick, makes me worry. i read the improved separator can be used for any model year ? my x is a '06 4.4, going to check if its got the revised if i can check it against pictures or part number.
thx

[djbock]

Well, looks like mine just went out on Christmas as well, 7 degrees that day. Oil everywhere on the right side engine bay and underneath of the vehicle. Down 2 quarts of oil. Just got a replacement quote from the stealer...$2500!!!

Now that is what I call expensive labors charges for $80 worth of parts. Needless to say, will tackle this myself. Any hints/tricks greatly appreciated.

[primetime]

If you have the 3.0i engine the seperator is located below the air intake area. You have to remove the intake to see it. The 4.4, the seperator is located towards the back of the engine bay near the top.. And like weasel said when you get the seperator changed you should do an oil change too to release all the water in the oil as well..

Switchman, clean all that milky crap off the dipstick and oil cap... Keep doing this every couple days so the sludge doesn't build up if you need to keep driving it. Also put some fresh oil in there afterwards to top it off with some good new oil.. keep cleaning the milky crap though until you get the oil changed and the seperator replaced..

Switchman..Also your X should already have the updated seperator in the X because of the model year.. When was your last oil change? In your case, you may just need a good oil change...

[klnteg]

2500 that is insane!!! I paid $750..

[tonydan1]

That is a load of crap. It took my dad 1 hr for the valve gasket (in and out) and 3 hours for the oil separator (in and out), There is a way to take it our from the side. That is max - max 5 hours just in case he has a problem. That is why this economy will not get better any time soon, we can't seem to keep any money in our pockets. To be honest, I hope the dealer where you are closes.

Anyways, I still have the issue that it makes that grinding noise upon start-up. Though, new seperator and new oil. Though, under the oil cap there is still some white goo. We'll see as that Montreal gets cold fast as that the day can be -5 and at night it will go to -30. We'll. As a mechanical engineer, I am not particularly impressed with this. Neither is my dad as a mechanic for 40 years and has worked in Italy for 10 years in an Alfa Romeo dealership when he was young. He laughs every time something breaks on my X5 (3.0 by the way) as that he says, "why so complicated?"

Anyways, go get another quote as that money is earned, not stolen.

If you have a question, please write back and it would be a pleasure to explain.

Thanks

[primetime]

tonydan..that grinding noise may be your belts re-aligning.. Our cars do that when they've been sitting in the cold... Its most likely not related to your seperator... Mine makes a grinding start when on super cold days..I've had the seperator replaced and taken care of... That noise is my belts warming up and trying to align properly...It does that because of the cold temps outside. After a few seconds the noise goes away..Also the noise does not happen unless the car has been left in the cold and sitting for several hours...

Furthermore, let this be noted. Oil seperators can fail at any temperature. Summer or Winter. They seem to fail more often in the winter because conditions are more favorable for failure, but that doesn't mean they won't fail in the summer too. The part itself is not a lifetime part, it will fail after 70k miles or so..Its not a question of if, its a question of when...

[switchman]

Originally Posted by primetime

If you have the 3.0i engine the seperator is located below the air intake area. You have to remove the intake to see it. The 4.4, the seperator is located towards the back of the engine bay near the top.. And like weasel said when you get the seperator changed you should do an oil change too to release all the water in the oil as well..

Switchman, clean all that milky crap off the dipstick and oil cap... Keep doing this every couple days so the sludge doesn't build up if you need to keep driving it. Also put some fresh oil in there afterwards to top it off with some good new oil.. keep cleaning the milky crap though until you get the oil changed and the seperator replaced..

Switchman..Also your X should already have the updated seperator in the X because of the model year.. When was your last oil change? In your case, you may just need a good oil change...

Primetime,,, taking your advice, cleaned it, its not that bad after i driving the car to work for 3 days now. My wife's drive is less than 10 miles r/t, does not even warm up enough on cold days. e39 just had oil changed 4 months ago, i'll check with indie shop i've been going to to replace it very soon. The bad thing now is wife drives the x5,,, told her its temp.

Glad to hear the x also have updated separator,,, its my daily driver, about 20-30 miles /day. its sched for oil change in 2 wks.

Thx so much for the advice,,, i feel sorry for the other guys having this problem. Especially when dealers try to rip you off.

[djbock]

Originally Posted by klnteg

2500 that is insane!!! I paid $750..

That's what I thought. The only thing that I asked for in the quate was for a new oil separator and the right side valve cover gasket. In the quote it was also stated that it would be a day and a half job minimum. Give me a break. That is why I immediately called the parts dept and ordered the parts myself. I think the biggest problem will be trying to get to the separator.