DIY Solution to M54-M52TU CCV problems

[docnabimmer]

Oh, its an M54 with the M56 valve cover mod but my co sumption for worse because of a bad diaphragm(CVV).The plastic cover breaks without a replacememt membrane available other than the Russian membrane.Over at e46fanatics,. There is however a Paraklas updated cover that u can use the Russian membrane with and user e46sulev cover and membrane that will be available soon.These fixed the excessive vacuum that some M56 cover mods have encountered.
I couldn't wait and decided to do the Bave39 MoD first.
Thank you CN90.I assume you have no codes developing after the mod with NO Oil consumption.

[2004325ciLover]

I did the mod Friday but on cold start an throwing lean codes. My long term fuel trims are high and idle. Under load they normalize which indicates a vacuum leak. Anyone else experience this?

[2004325ciLover]

Originally Posted by Xelo

Hello again,

I am planning to do this modification also (including a catch can) but after days of studying I've stumbled upon one issue that has not been adressed (or addressed too little).

There are 2 versions for any PCV system: open and closed.
Open ones are venting the blowby gases to atmosphere, closed ones (as in this case for the M54s) are venting the "filtered" air back into the engine through the intake manifold.

Now comes problem #1: this "filtered" air is not measured .

MAF measures air coming through the intake manifold, but the one coming back from the valve cover through this modification is routed back into the IM AFTER the MAF (through distribution cover) - so there is a surplus of air going to the cylinders, although the ECU has measured less and O2 sensors will measure more.

This will cause crazy fuel trims.

Any schematic of closed PCV system on the net is described as having a venting hose coming from the air filter (so metered air) which allows the crankcase to breath.

See examples below:







Returning to the case of M54 engines: OE system does not have a supplementary/aditional valve cover breather as I remember. The only port of the VC is the one going to the CCV.

So this raises so many questions:
1) Why does the OE M54 CCV system does not have a breather allowing the crankcase to draw air from the intake
2) Would this breather be a good idea as it still allows vacuum but also protect engine seals ?
3) Where would the best connection for a breather be ? I have heard a case where the guy connected a hose from the vacuum F connector in the intake boot to the oil dipstick. If so, would this need a non-return valve (for the improbable case oil from the crankcase/oil pan would come up and flood the intake) ?




My take on this:

You're right. I did this and my ltfts are crazy high at idle because of the massive amount of unmetered air from the crank case.

I did however just drive 350 miles on the mod and got some awesome gas mileage (30.2 mpgs). Ltfts may be wacky at idle but she sure runs good. If oil consumption is down, I'll consider it a win.

[2004325ciLover]

Update after 800 miles...

Oil level is dead full. By this point before the mod, I would be approaching a quart low especially if I drove her hard which I have been.

[2004325ciLover]

Update:

After 1400 miles I am just an eek under the full mark. Probably lost 1/8th of a quart. I have been driving her quite hard to see how she is on consumption.

Prior to the mod, I would have already burnt through 1 quart and well on my way to needing to add another quart soon.

At my current rate, with 175,000 miles on my motor, I would say I will be consuming a quart every 4000 miles, maybe more. I know once the oil gets past 2000 miles, it breaks down and is consumed quicker. I have witnessed this in many higher mileage vehicles I have owned.

All in all, I would say this mod is a complete success. I will follow up when I officially need to add a quart.

[2004325ciLover]

Originally Posted by runnermedic

found this mini cooper plugs,probably they fit the m54 intake.

I can vouch with direct experience that this plug does not work/fit. I tried on Friday and it's too small.

[Blackjetvette97]

Hi all,
Been reading heavily on this issue and have begun converting my X5/E53/M54 to this mod(utilizing BOTH AD intake ports) due to a problem with vehicle that arose recently, which I believe is CCV related(X has 189,996 on ODO). My daughter(on one of our practice training drives) was stopped at a light to make a right turn into a shopping center, when started getting extreme smoking from exhaust pipes. pulled over immediately and turned it off. I popped the hood and looked around for any visible issues(saw nothing). Let it sit for a few mins to get oil drained to get accurate reading(was on level ground). Checked oil and it was LOW. Opened up filler cap and it was mildly smoking(didn't notice suction amount nor observe any hissing). Let it cool down a bit, then added a full quart to it til it registered on dip. There was no "Mayo" or anything on cap/in oil(it looked normal and ok). Checked coolant and it is topped up, with no visible oil or contaminants in it. Started it up and drove across parking lot. Upon start, no smoke, but began smoking very soon after driving across lot. Parked it in shade(I live in Vegas) and called for AAA and ride home. I have it here in my driveway and have been investigating to see what dealio is. I have not done a compression/smoke/leakdown test. I'm going to hook up mod and fire it up to see what result is. I assume, from reading, that residual oil all over inside- see pics -will cause continued smoke for some time after issue(if CCV) was resolved. The smoke appeared to be white to me, but who knows since it was quick before I shut it down and was behind wheel and in the shade for 2nd time, crossing parking lot. If it is CCV issue(and I've solved it with mod), how can I clean the sucked up oil gunk out of IM/ventilation lines? I already did the return hose to dipstick removal/plug(EVERYTHING was BONE DRY down there-no oil leaks, etc) and that drain hose had a few drops of oil inside it(nothing major). I tightly capped metal drain port on base of DS with a 3/8" cap from autozone, then slid return tube over that(cuz of oil in RT) with a little effort and it all worked good. I've owned X since Dec 2003, and do not remember having the CCV system replaced EVER since then!!! I did have engine pulled out by mechanic and a LOT of stuff replaced, but don't think I did that system(D'oh!). 1st pic is of air distribution port(all 6 look same), 2nd pic is small 5/16"(?) port on air distributer(showing a CHUNK of something) after I cleaned it with brake cleaner a couple times, 3rd pic is looking in to vent port on top of engine.
Any help or advice would be appreciated

Steve

[puddinboo]

Did you take your spark plugs out to check for oil on them?

[Blackjetvette97]

Originally Posted by puddinboo

Did you take your spark plugs out to check for oil on them?

puddinboo, thanks for the reply. Took out 5 of 6.....ALL have oil on them
Didn't bother with 6th. What next?!?!

[puddinboo]

Originally Posted by Blackjetvette97

puddinboo, thanks for the reply. Took out 5 of 6.....ALL have oil on them
Didn't bother with 6th. What next?!?!

take the 6th spark plug out, crank the engine with no spark plugs. And let the oil fly out of the cylinders ,the oil will go everywhere ,but you need the oil out of there. Your engine can hydro lock with just a teaspoon of oil and can do catastrophic damage to your engine.
( did your engine lock up while driving?)