DIY Solution to M54-M52TU CCV problems

[Aidzer0]

Originally Posted by 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?

The only real big problem was my diaphragm was buggered and I had to find a different solution, the only one I found at the time, was a Russian made one on eBay, but taking that ccv cap off was also impossible without breaking the tabs, and replacement for the cap was not available at that time. Now it is!

I would recommend getting the aluminium cap and Russian diaphragm with the VC before replacing the VC, also if you reside in US, go to a pick n pull to get the VC, I found one (after 4 months of searching) and got the whole kit for $100 (VC, 2 sets of coils, harness, dipstick tube, gaskets and VC vacuum hose)

You can find the cap if you google m56 valve cover on m54 on a forum. (I don’t want to link it because I don’t know the policies here yet).

The other issue I experienced was that my VC studs (screwed into the head) were stretched, and the VC was not sealing correctly, so oil was dripping on the exhaust, so I ordered new head studs and replaced them, and now it is sealing good. I didn’t read anyone else having this issue.

Definitely get new VC gaskets and grommets (for the nuts)!!!
The m56 VC gasket and spark hole gasket is different from the plastic VC, it’s flat, it’s also metal covered in rubber. The grommets are the same.

The last bit was the vacuum hose plumbing, what I did, I left the thin tube running along the intake manifold, I removed the hose off of the fitting for the intake splitter, added 3” long vacuum hose ran it through where the original ccv hose went, added a 90° fitting at the end, then ran another 3” vacuum hose from the VC to the 90° fitting, this makes it look OEM and functions perfectly. If you run the hosing without the 90°, the hose will kink and will cause issues (no air flow).
Hose is 5/8th ID, none collapsible silicone.
The 90° fitting is 5/8ths brass barb.

I forgot to mention in my previous list of items, get the VC to intake manifold hose, you will need the quick connect for the VC, it is different from the composite plastic VC. (In the top left corner of the picture below).

The below shows all the prices I needed, I did not replace my dipstick tube, I just capped off the return feed for the original CCV system. Also, the harness will not need to be changed if you have the push in coils, I just transferred. The clips that hold the harness over (the tiny silver clip on the vc below).



Separate notes; the three clips next to the spark hole gasket, lower right, those go onto the VC lip on the right, they hold the O2 sensor cables.

I can take photos of my install if anyone wants.

Sorry about the long post but I’m adding literally everything tiny thing I did to make it as OEM as I could, fit, finish and function.