Another leaky VCG thread...
 

Hey all...so I definitely have a leaking VCG. Smoke coming from rear of valve cover, getting into cabin. Just started a few weeks ago after a few REALLY cold days here in Wisconsin. Car currently has 127k on it. I replaced this gasket once already about 3 years/30k miles ago (Victor Reinz gasket set). Already ordered OEM BMW gasket set from ECS Tuning. Now, before I go and replace the gasket(s) again, I'm curious to try and figure out if maybe my CCV caused the leak. I replaced the CCV a little over 3 years ago as well, but neglected to use the cold weather version (didn't even know it existed until after I had already ordered parts). I pulled the oil cap off and there is really no vacuum at all, but that could be because the VCG is already blown out. On a few of the REALLY REALLY cold days (below 20f), there is a loud kind of honking/screeching noise (don't know how else to describe it) right on startup that lasts for 10-30 seconds. Could this be a frozen CCV or would it more likely be a failing secondary air pump? I do have lots of mayo in my oil, but pretty sure in the 4 years I've owned this thing there's always been a fair amount of mayo. I guess I just don't want to replace the VCG only to have it blow out again on a really cold day because of something else that is faulty. Any way to test and see if the CCV may have caused the VCG leak, short of pulling everything off to inspect it? Replacing the CCV system was definitely the most difficult, curse-word-inducing job I've done on my X5 yet, and I REALLY am not looking forward to doing it again. Actually considering going the PCV/catch can route, if it turns out it needs replacing again.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

I can tell you a failing secondary air pump will cause the "Service Engine Soon" light to come on so you can easily rule that out. Also I just did my VCG and while shopping for the VCG I looked into the popular brands and people seemed to be choosing Elring over Victor Reinz. You should be safe if you bought a genuine BMW gasket.

Yeah, I've read plenty of threads about which VCG set is best. I decided to go with OEM (at least according to ECS), which we still don't really know for certain who manufactures it. I haven't had a Service Engine Soon light in quite some time (knock on wood), just figured since it was within seconds of startup, it might be SAP. Probably is that stupid CCV freezing up.

Has anyone else experienced any noise upon startup when CCV is frozen? It almost sounds like someone blowing their nose...haha...I just don't know how else to describe it. It's lower pitched, but still a screeching honking noise. I've yet to pop the hood when it's happening, but with the hood closed it does seem to be coming from driver's side of engine bay.

The Genuine BMW gasket set is made of DuPont Viton.

The non-Viton gaskets only last around 2 or 3 yrs, Viton VCGs will last a decade.

Regarding that honking sound it is definitely coming from the CCV however it doesnt mean it is shot. Last winter I heard that noise a couple times when the temps got down in the 20's. Since I had just bought the car I decided to do the CCV anyway later that spring. The CCV I took out appeared to be only a couple years old at best and seemed to be functioning fine.

One thing you might want to check though is to make sure the oil dipstick drain tube is not clogged. Better yet you might want to replace the dipstick with the Cold Climate model that allows for better drainage into the oil pan.

Cold Climate Dipstick Part Number: 11437563831

Cold climate version dipstick guide tube, a common upgrade over the standard guide tube

This cold weather dipstick guide tube has been designed for colder environments and to prevent oil caking inside the guide tube. Commonly the oil traveling through the oil separator hose at the bottom of the dipstick can condense when cold causing blockages. When replacing the PCV system in your X5 it is also worthwhile to inspect the guide tube and to replace if it is clogged up.

The VCG is definitely leaking. The VCG will definitely be replaced by OEM gasket set. I've read most all the threads on VCG manufacturers, materials, longevity, etc, etc, etc, so I've got all that. VCG isn't really my question. I'm more interested to know how I can tell if my CCV is bad without pulling everything off the engine just to remove the stupid valve. Also, if the CCV freezing is what caused my VCG leak, or just old age of the gasket, and what that awful sub-20 degree startup noise might be...

I supposed I should just suck it up and do the whole shebang:

Cold Weather dipstick tube
Cold Weather CCV system (or PCV/Catch can mod)
Valve Cover Gasket set

Should probably do them in that order as well, huh? Soooooo not looking forward to swapping out that CCV system. If I remember from last time, you need hands the size of a 5 year old to get all those stupid hoses connected.

If your doing the CCV you might as well do the oil filter housing gasket to head off any oil leaks down the road. (Or it might already be leaking and you do not realize it yet.) Taking the oil filter housing off makes installing the CCV a breeze. If you do go that route...Bavarian Auto sells a version of the gasket made of viton for $20 that will last much longer than the oem gasket. And since you'll have the alternator off...might as well put on some new belts!

Funny, I've had an oil filter housing gasket laying around for a few years now, just never got around to doing it. Not sure who the manufacturer is, will have to check. I'm sure it's probably leaking. Already did belts, water pump, pulleys/idlers, Vanos rebuild a few years back. Not looking to make this thing oil-tight (is that even possible?? haha!), mostly just want to fix the oil burning going on at the moment as it's pretty annoying. Don't want to go through all the trouble of replacing the VCG only to have it blow out on me again, so trying to nail down the cause of it and fix that first. Thanks for all your input!

Crap. Do I really need to remove the fan again to do the oil filter housing gasket? That thing was a NIGHTMARE to get back on last time. Ugh... :banghead: Again, a job that requires hands the size of a five year old.

There is a post somewhere that shows how to use a leather shoe lace or something similar to get the fan back on. Works slick! ;) It would be interesting to see if you still have the honking noise with oil filler cap off or loose. If your CCCV is frozen you might be getting a pressurized crankcase and the pressure is finding it's way out the VCG which might be saving your valve cover.

Wow! Thanks for that tip! Found the post on another forum. I'll definitely be trying this method!

The biggest issue I have with everything here is that my X5 is my main vehicle. I'm anticipating a good weekend's worth of work to replace entire CCV system, OFH gasket and VCG (of course, accounting for more than a few "cooling off" breaks--for me, not the car!). I'm also anticipating something breaking and needing at least one unexpected part. Since it's the middle of winter with plenty of snow and ice on the ground, I can't exactly hop on the Sportster and run to the dealership or parts store for that unexpected part. And I need to be able to get to work on Monday morning. If I just keep an eye on my oil level, I'm wondering how long I can put these repairs off...

If it's a freezing problem replacing the CCCV system might not be the answer. Read some of my other posts.

Any chance you could be a bit more specific? When I click on your name and go to "Find all posts..." it shows me every single post AND comment you ever made. I'm not really about to sift through them all...

A failing secondary air pump will not always cause a service engine light.

You should be able to pinpoint a honking sound loud enough to hear from the inside if you are under the hood. I would do the troubleshooting before tearing into it.

:iagree:

My auto 3.0 is leaking from the VCG as well. To get around the burning oil smell in the car I keep the lower vent and upper vent climate control buttons on. Or turn them all off but that is not practical in the winter. For some reason I only get the only smell if I press the climate control button that allows the air to blow on my face. If it works for you, maybe you can buy yourself some time and do it in the spring.

Yeah, I know. It really only happens when it's below 20f and the engine is cold, which is pretty much leaving for work in the am and leaving work in the PM. It's a bit tricky trying to start the car with your head under the hood at the same time. I live alone, so no help in the am, but I might be able to get someone at work to start it up while I listen under the hood...just need to wait for some more really cold days, been upper 20s to low 40s here lately, so no audible honk.

As already mentioned, check to see if the oil filler cap is secure and sealing. Since you replaced the belts check to make sure they are tight, slipping belts don't sound like a honking noise but I don't know what horn you are referencing. Sound could be coming from the dipstick, or even from a leaking VCG. Could be very low power steering fluid but usually that sound doesn't go away, certainly not at full lock. You said you are positive it is a VCG leaking oil, have you checked if there is a power steering leak that could causing the smell?

If there is no vacuum at the oil fill hole it is sucking air somewhere else. Lots of places there could be a vacuum leak but you haven't mentioned a loss of performance or poor idle.

When the secondary air pump is bad it makes a grinding or whirring noise for the minute or so it is running when cold started. That would be any cold start not just under 20 degrees. It also causes a rough idle until the exhaust temp get hot enough for the engine to be in a closed loop mode.

That said, Mayo is key symptom associated with CCV system malfunctioning but with sound going away so quickly and no excessive vacuum at the oil fill or dipstick I don't think it is a sure thing.

I don't know how much mayo you are seeing and you mentioned it has been the same for a long time but I would be very concerned not knowing why it is there. There is always risk driving a vehicle when something is wrong and you don't know what. My guess is that a VCG leak and the honking are not connected and that the VCG would not be the weakest link and go out again, but that is entirely a guess. If the VCG is leaking you could put try sealing it externally well enough to see if the honking and leak are connected. Did you confirm the VCG is leaking by cleaning the engine and watch for new oil to appear?

I would do more troubleshooting before buying parts. If the honking goes away quickly, is only under 20 degrees and you aren't losing a pint a day I personally might take the risk driving it but I would do more troubleshooting to be as sure as possible I wouldn't cause much bigger problems by doing so.

I'm 99% certain the VCG is leaking since the smell and visible smoke all originate from the rear of the valve cover. I've replaced it before due to leaking in the same general area, so I'm pretty sure I know the symptoms as they aren't that complicated to figure out. Oil leaks out back of VCG, drips on exhaust manifold and burns, thus causing smoke and odor. You can't see the leak since it is at the back of the engine, but I'm pretty confident in my diagnosis. Oil filler cap is definitely secure and sealing.

As for the "honking" noise, again, I'd bet money it's the CCV freezing up or the oil return by dipstick is plugged with gunk. I know what slipping belts sound like, it's definitely not that. Pretty certain it isn't power steering since the noise isn't related to turning of the steering wheel at all. Isn't there some kind of diaphragm inside the CCV valve? Seems to me either the valve internals being frozen or a plugged oil return could easily cause the very type of noise I'm hearing. I do have a very slight rough idle, but no SES light on dash, so there doesn't appear to be any vacuum leaks. Car runs strong otherwise. It made this noise last winter as well, and again, car ran fine otherwise. Noise disappears entirely as soon as temps warm up outside. I guess you're just a bit more paranoid than me...I'm honestly not all that worried about it. The oil burning smell is the biggest issue, and I can put up with that for a little while. I have no choice but to continue to drive the car each and every day. Heck, the blue book on this thing is barely $2k (I'd be lucky to get $1500 in trade), so if it dies, it dies. It's lived a relatively full life, in my opinion. I'll just be forced to buy a replacement vehicle sooner than I had anticipated. But again, I'm really not THAT concerned.

I have not read all the posts but here are my 2 cents having fixed my E39 (1998 M52 528i) VCG and single VANOS recently, without any special tool by leaving the VANOS gear in place. However, this is for M52 but the idea is similar for M54. I posted the tricks here:

DIY: 1998 BMW 528i SINGLE VANOS Seals the easy way without special tool! - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

So, at that mileage:

1. VCG: use BMW dealer seal only! It fits well without any issues.

2. VANOS Seals: Beisan only.

3. CCV Mod: see the BavarianE39 mod.
My 2006 X5 M54 used to consume 1 qt every 400-500 miles.
After the CCV Mod: No more oil consumption. I posted my photos here.
See post #164:

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...oblems-17.html