Oil separator/Valve cover gasket

[Pipes]

Yes exactly. Thanks weasel56. My X5 is a 2001 4.4i (M62) with 156,000 km.

[X5 Meister]

Gotcha. Which one is the diaphragm?

Originally Posted by weasel56

Yeah, those are extra easy though... but only on the valvetronic motor. What Pipes has is this setup, #2.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...81&hg=11&fg=40

[Pipes]

The diaphram is located inside part #2 mentioned above.

[Pipes]

Unfortunately I thought I might add that this problem occured again at -22C last week. I think it might be in part to the fact that the system just can't handle extreme temperatures.

What happened is that I pulled over after 5 min to check and found oil dripping. I checked the oil dip stick and oil came blasting out like a fountain, so I quickly replaced the dip stick. Then I slowly releived the crankcase pressure through the oil cap. Took about 2 minutes! I let the pressure come out untill the system eventually thawed out again and was working properly (no more pressure build up coming out from oil cap).

The X5 was then safe again to drive now that the system was functioning properly.

I went home and put a breather filter on the valve cover. I am completely bypassing the oil separator system now and I beleive this is the only solution unless you:

1. Go with the redesigned system from BMW ($5000??)
2. Maybe get the insulated/heated parts from BMW (my dealer didn't have them for the 4.4 just the 3.0)

Another solution would probably be venting the crankcase vapors from the valve cover back to the intake were they can burn (found on most cars).

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by Pipes

Unfortunately I thought I might add that this problem occured again at -22C last week. I think it might be in part to the fact that the system just can't handle extreme temperatures.

What happened is that I pulled over after 5 min to check and found oil dripping. I checked the oil dip stick and oil came blasting out like a fountain, so I quickly replaced the dip stick. Then I slowly releived the crankcase pressure through the oil cap. Took about 2 minutes! I let the pressure come out untill the system eventually thawed out again and was working properly (no more pressure build up coming out from oil cap).

The X5 was then safe again to drive now that the system was functioning properly.

I went home and put a breather filter on the valve cover. I am completely bypassing the oil separator system now and I beleive this is the only solution unless you:

1. Go with the redesigned system from BMW ($5000??)
2. Maybe get the insulated/heated parts from BMW (my dealer didn't have them for the 4.4 just the 3.0)

Another solution would probably be venting the crankcase vapors from the valve cover back to the intake were they can burn (found on most cars).

Damn! So, you're saying after all that you still have this problem. Ayayai! Sorry, to hear and no offense or anything but I'm so glad we don't have that kind of weather here.

I don't know how you're keeping your cool. I'd be lookin to bash something in! Good luck!

[X5 Meister]

Something is definitely screwy here. Pressure obviously shouldn't be that high and given that it is so high it seems to indicate that your system is stuck closed, that the water in the separator has frozen, and pressure building rapidly. My concern about venting the crankcase will an additional mechanism is that each engine has a specific crankcase venting pressure that is designed into it and if you were to deviate significantly from it I really don't know what else might happen. ?

What redesigned system from BMW exists for $5000 ?
The heated wrap was developed for the M62 engine and that's what I'd do ASAP. Let me know if you need the SIB on it. The dealer might have the kit for the 3.0, but the kit is totally different and involves replacing parts, not integrated a heated wrap per se.

Man I feel bad for you.

Good article (short). Also SIB 110308 attached.

BMW Oil Seperator Issue - BMW Service CT

[Pipes]

Yeah I heard there was a new system by the dealer to bypass the original separator system. A new design. Maybe it was only $2000 (oops). Nonetheless it was pricey.

Yes the valve is definiteley getting stuck. I don't even drive it for short trips.

The heated parts/insulated parts just seem like a band-aid to the system. After replacing all the original parts, I still had lots of condensation in the new pipes after only about 2-3 weeks. Besides, the insulated parts can only keep the pipes from freezing for a longer period of time.

The heated system may work, but won't this just drain the battery?

Also, the wrap may keep the pipes from freezing, but the water stuck in the diaphram will still freeze and keep it closed/open.

[Ghigo]

Removing oil cap you can feel with the hand air pushing out no stop , at cold and hot engine ?

[CALLI]

Does the 02 X5 have this...and where,how and when...to do....I have owned this X5 for a bit over a year now...and have noticed in some of the threads..that some have noticed..sluggishness @ stops...could this be a cause...like @ a traffic signal stop, with air on>

[cavx5]

pipes i really feel bad for you and the problem you are having..there is nothing worse than having a car you cant count on but do yourself a favor and get rid of it as fast as you can..trust me brother it is not worth the heartache...from what i see these cars are not designed for the cold weather..i guess in germany it dosent get cold.ha ha.. and german engineers dont know shit about cold weather testing and engineering...