DIY Solution to M54-M52TU CCV problems

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by oldskewel

Have you had a California smog check with modifications like that showing yet? Any concerns or plans for when it is next needed?

Not yet. I think I'm due in May. If I get called on it I'll reinstall the stock system. As far as I can tell this mod (minus a catch can) doesn't really work as advertised.

[cn90]

Originally Posted by oldskewel

Have you had a California smog check with modifications like that showing yet? Any concerns or plans for when it is next needed?

i am curious too.

For those with this mod and go for smog test (such as California, Illinois etc.),
any issues with smog test?

My guess is that: it is probably OK.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by cn90

i am curious too.

For those with this mod and go for smog test (such as California, Illinois etc.),
any issues with smog test?

My guess is that: it is probably OK.

I'm going to be getting one this weekend. If they fail me because of it, I'll be going back to the stock system. The CCV is still there. I would just need to replace a couple hoses. I'll let you know.

[cn90]

Sometimes I wonder the intelligence of these smog inspectors...

Let's say a driver modifies his/her car such as this.
Of course it is not factory (it is better than factory IMHO).

So what, as long as the tailpipe emission tests are good.
I understand why they look into the engine compartment: the purpose of this should be to look for broken hoses that can potentially contaminate the environment.
If the hoses are fine and all they see is a mod, so what...

If they ONLY focus on the tail pipe, then what we did as a mod should not matter...

[80stech]

If you have more flow because of blow-by and/or air leaking into the crankcase (eg. rear main seal) and you don't have the baffling to keep up, then you have more oil going with it and probably a check engine light. Like I said before, people don't realize how much luck there is involved in having this work. Most of this thread is a lot of BS.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by 80stech

If you have more flow because of blow-by and/or air leaking into the crankcase (eg. rear main seal) and you don't have the baffling to keep up, then you have more oil going with it and probably a check engine light. Like I said before, people don't realize how much luck there is involved in having this work. Most of this thread is a lot of BS.

No check engine light so far. Definitely running higher crankcase vacuum.

[docnabimmer]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

No check engine light so far. Definitely running higher crankcase vacuum.

still running high vacumm despite the catch can? The High vacuum was the reason why this MOD worked IIRC, ,,

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by docnabimmer

still running high vacumm despite the catch can? The High vacuum was the reason why this MOD worked IIRC, ,,

Yep. I haven't put a gauge on it, but it's definitely significantly higher than the CCV. It's now running in psi range. The CCV runs a vacuum in inches of water column. The high vacuum probably helps with gasket or seal leaks maybe? I don't see how it would help otherwise. From what I'm seeing with the catch can, without it, that oil would be going right back into the intake and getting burned off. Not really cutting oil consumption.

I also can't really give a true assessment of the effectiveness. I went about 7500 to 8000 miles after the change with my normal driving at the time which included freeway driving. I then changed jobs and now have a very short commute and have been doing very little freeway driving. My consumption went way down. But, doing some reading on NewTis I found that oil consumption going down would be expected with around town driving vs freeway driving. When I was doing my previous driving my consumption went down very little with the mod. So, like I said before, I'm not sold on this mod actually working.

I have to get smoged in the next month to renew my registration. We'll see if they call me on it. If they do, I'll be back to the stock system. Then we can see what happens with oil consumption with mostly around town driving. Interesting experiment.

[Aidzer0]

I’m not sure if this was mentioned before (used search and nothing came up), the m56 engine from a sulev e46 has a valve cover that will fit the m54/m52tu engines and the valve cover is aluminium with an inbuilt ccv. Thereby eliminating the need for the stupid ccv system under the intake manifold.

The only issue is that the VC is only available in the US (available from eBay for about ~$250) and some modification is required; ignition coils change to the push in ones, (IIRC 2001 - 2003 X5 models have the bolt in ignition coils) this requires a change to the push in coil harness.
And the ccv diaphragm + cap is somewhat difficult to find. There is a huge thread on another forum where someone made an aluminium cap which works fantastic.
Also, the dipstick tube needs to be capped off and the plumbing for the vacuum lines from the intake manifold to the VC needs to be changed.

All easy work though.

It’s mostly a straight swap and the gain is amazing. I’ve been running my m54b25 with the m56 valve cover for over a year now with no issues or headaches.

Here is a photo of it;

[Bdc101]

This was something I had considered when I bought my X. Catch cans are great, I've had them on other cars, but this would be a maintenance-free solution. I still may end up trying this someday.



Were there any twists in the project, anything that didn't go as expected, or any hidden costs?