With the large amount of CCV issues, we need a failsafe

[o. l. t.]

I can't believe we have so many CCV posts when the weather gets cold. Blowing con rods from your engine is no joke. There are many I am sure who have lost their investment and their X over not being able to buy a new engine.

I think it is time we find a failsafe. What would you say about a pressure release valve like a blow off valve installed on the spark plugs in the style of a spark plug non-fouler? All you would need to do is create a non fouler style cylinder with a pressure fail seam in the middle that would release at the specific pressure point designed. It wouldn't even need moving parts, just a pre-ribbed seam.

As the normal pressures of the cylinder were reached everything would hold fine. If there was a catastrophic failure inside that made the pressure greatly increase the seam in the pressure cylinder would fail and blow it's top allowing the oil to shoot straight out the plug hole. "Popping it's top" dispersing of the spark plug in it's way.

Being just a piece of metal you could manufacture these for pennies and sell them cheap. It would affect so any BMW across the board using these engines.

[J.Belknap]

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ed-collar.html

[o. l. t.]

A roll of pink panther insulation has jack to do with venting the block. We need a real failsafe.

[J.Belknap]

Suit yourself.

GL w/ your spark plugs.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by o. l. t.

I can't believe we have so many CCV posts when the weather gets cold.

I can believe it. It has been going on for more than a decade, and it happens every winter. Then it goes quiet again until the following November.

If the vehicle is used properly, then it isn't an issue, or is far less of an issue. Get it good and hot every now and then, and keep it there long enough to dry the engine out. Avoid short trips, don't ever let it idle to warm it up.

If that isn't possible, due to short trips and no chance to warm it up, then add the CCV to your annual maintenance schedule. Clean it out if you have condensate (paste) in it.

If you want to try the latest updated parts, great. They are addressing the symptoms, not the problem, but they may help.

I can't imagine building a pressure relief into the engine block, essentially in order to compensate for poor operating practices and lack of mantenance. And if it is all just too much trouble, sell it and buy a vehicle that has a simple PCV valve.

[motordavid]

JCL is right on, as his usual, imo.

o.l.t. : imo, where you live, I would rec'd possibly getting your existing CCV situ cleaned out/replace lines, and then just drive it, and not worry.
Or, not even worry currently, with your used car, other than a good hot oil change or two...
Chattanooga doesn't get the colder temps that seem to exacerbate the situ, and unless you are doing 5 mile commutes, I think it is a non-event
for you, assuming the current CCV system in your car isn't close to being debilitated.
GL, mD

[o. l. t.]

^ yes mD I was more concern for others. My truck came from cartersville, ga so even warmer temps most of its life.

My climate stays around 35 in the winter. It just seems like such a issue why not try to create a failsafe for others? It's not really every man for himself when you own an X5 it seems we are all in this together one way or the other. Just trying to help. I've never really liked the screw you not my problem mentality, seems it always comes back around.

[motordavid]

I'm on your side, o.l.t. ...it is a 'small' but ever growing problem, as the E53s age, and posters show up on this board writing, "what is wrong with my car?", every winter, it seems like a minor plague.

We have good friends in Chat, so I knew it wasn't like Duluth there; we are ~3hrs over the Mtns in Waynesville, NC near the eastern edge of SmokyMtnNat'lPark.

As you have discovered, there are some very knowledgeable engine heads on this board. Maybe there is a fix, other than cleaning, new lines, hot oil changes, careful driving habits, and a watchful eye. It is a remarkably debilitating problem/flaw for anyone living in cold weather climes...and, in 47+ yrs of driving an eclectic collection of cars, I have never had the problem, and was never really aware of this Achilles Heel, until we got our '01 X, way back. We have been lucky, thus far.
GL, mD

[o. l. t.]

Ahhh I see. I am on the front of Signal Mountain overlooking Chatta-vegas so I stay about 7 to 10 degrees colder than the valley. It's usually just cold enough to get the ice and snow when the valley gets rain.

[amacman]

I made a suggestion on one of the many threads about ccv .
you could fit a T fitting on the hose attached to the cam cover . fit 2 pressure valves . 1 to suck and 1 to blow . should prevent all the problems .