Oil Separator Info / True solution. - Page 4

330 · #31 02-03-2010, 11:27 AM

Thanks for the Pic, I see what you mean that area is very tight. I wonder if there's a way to blow it out with compressed air?

Sponsored Links

jrhchicago · #32 02-04-2010, 09:18 AM

Thank you everyone for all the insightful advice on this thread.

I live in Chicago and my wife called me frantic on Tuesday about smoke coming out of the hood. She had driven only a short distance after noticing the smoke. I never saw the source of the pressure relief but I suspect the valve cover gasket failed. The engine had lost 2 quarts of oil and everything else was as described. Car had sat outside for 4 days without being driven and most trips are 6 miles to her work.

The mechanic stated that the oil separator valve is now INSULATED and should not freeze. Can anyone confirm this? I live in the west suburbs of Chicago and unfortunately don't have a garage.

List of repairs:
PCV Repair Kit
Vent Hose
Valve Cover Gasket Set
Gromet
Boot

Almost a $1,000 of repairs later, I would welcome any input on the following:

1) Is the redesigned oil separator valve insultated?
2) Other than the dipstick and a garage, any other precautions that can help prevent this? Is there a temperature threshold where this won't occur?
3) How does changing the oil help prevent moisture in OSV or does it?
4) Do I need to clean the oil off the parts around the engine block but not on it?

I love this car but I should have left it in Arizona when I had to move! Seriously considering trading it in at this point.

It obviously hates the cold. Door carriers, window regulators, and OSV. Does it ever end?

MosH · #33 02-04-2010, 11:55 AM

Sadly I just bought the X as my snowboarding vehicle to be used in the mountains where its almost 0 at night... I am dissapointed as well althought no OSV problem yet. I am hoping the 3-6hr drive each time I go snowboarding is bruning off any condensation in the valve so it cannot freeze while I am up there.

X5 Meister · #34 02-04-2010, 12:14 PM

It is. Just also make sure you have the upgraded parts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MosH

Sadly I just bought the X as my snowboarding vehicle to be used in the mountains where its almost 0 at night... I am dissapointed as well althought no OSV problem yet. I am hoping the 3-6hr drive each time I go snowboarding is bruning off any condensation in the valve so it cannot freeze while I am up there.

fulltilt · #35 02-04-2010, 02:45 PM

But does driving really burn off the condensation? Mine froze up over Christmas after driving 2 hours on the freeway in -17F weather in Iowa. Valve cover gasket finally let go and another driver had to inform me of the smoke coming from under the car in the back. I didn't notice anything, because in -17F, your exhaust looks pretty white as it is and it wasn't rising into my rear view enough to see it. I have the insulated valve now, but I still wonder if keeping the water from getting there isn't the only chance we have? Here is the picture of the insulated valve in case anyone wants to see it:

JCL · #36 02-04-2010, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fulltilt

But does driving really burn off the condensation? Mine froze up over Christmas after driving 2 hours on the freeway in -17F weather in Iowa. Valve cover gasket finally let go and another driver had to inform me of the smoke coming from under the car in the back. I didn't notice anything, because in -17F, your exhaust looks pretty white as it is and it wasn't rising into my rear view enough to see it. I have the insulated valve now, but I still wonder if keeping the water from getting there isn't the only chance we have? Here is the picture of the insulated valve in case anyone wants to see it:

Yes, but it isn't related to the drive you were on when it froze. It is related to all the short trips when the condensation built up in the oil separator valve. You need to regularly get the engine hot enough to burn off the condensation, and keep it at that temperature for a period of time. That is what keeps the condensate from collecting in the OSV. Alternatively, clean the valve and hoses out every year or so.

The insulated valve is an improvement, but won't prevent freezing. That will require a heated valve.

fulltilt · #37 02-04-2010, 03:35 PM

Ahh, good point JCL. You are correct, but I can't live with telling my wife, "You are not allowed to drive this car to the store a mile away." These kinds of trips just happen. Which brings us to your next solution, which is to clean it out every year or so. I think that is the only way to know for sure that there is no water in there. But WHAT A PITA!!!! Maybe the solution is to re-locate it to a place in the engine compartment that allows easy removal and inspection? There's no reason you couldn't use longer heater hoses to re-locate it. I am glad I live in Texas, but if I were back up North, I may just consider doing that.

JCL · #38 02-04-2010, 03:38 PM

You can certainly do short trips, as long as there is a real drive added in every now and then. Short trips are brutal on a vehicle, it is just that with this model the problems show up sooner.