CCV replacement without removing intake? M54
 

As the title says.


My crank case pressure went through the roof and it unseated my VC gasket, pissing oil everywhere. Taking the oil cap off and lots of pressure in the crank case.


I got a new CCV sans hoses from Rock and I'm going to put it in. Can it be done without removing the intake? Can't even see the darned thing.

It is super easy to take off, and you need to take off all the vacuum lines to clean and check them anyways.

I'd not bother with factory CCV.

Do the CCV mod by BavarianE39 and you will be happy.

Not exactly what you asked for, but:

this guy 50sKid makes great videos. I followed his series when I did the top end rebuild on my M54. Here is his video for the CCV system:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDP8Dma0nUs

And another thing you didn't exactly ask for:
It is possible to lift the intake manifold up out of the way without disconnecting a lot of things. E.g., the fuel system is untouched, most of the electrical connections remain connected, etc. I figured this out when doing my M54 engine work, and used it when I had to get back in there due to leaking o-rings on the coolant pipes (that I had replaced with new). Let me know if you want details.

Knowing what I know, if I had to do it, I'd watch that video for familiarization, and then do a partial intake manifold lift out as described, to get full easy access to all CCV components.

EDIT - Thinking more, I guess that depends on how good/clean/leak-free the rest of your intake is. In my case, everything had already been fully removed, cleaned spotless or replaced with new. If yours is due for replacing gaskets, fixing cracking vacuum hoses, etc., may as well take the full intake manifold off, cleaning fuel injectors, replacing o-rings, etc. If that does not sound like fun, then back to my prior recommendation. :thumbup:

Bavauto had a real helpful video on this. ECS Tuning may be hosting it? Search around.
I did mine a while back and with some directions from their video, I didn't have to take off the manifold and I have big hands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWXtiCwRH-k

the 50s kid video is great and so is that old BAV auto video but you should get the 3 hoses associated with the valve cause they will break and a throttle body gasket since that TB is coming off . If this is your first time ,take your time-next time will be easier.
CN90 above mentioned the BAvarian E39 MOD which i currently have at 800 miles and still at oil :wow:starting point at the halfway mark post MOD.You might want to check on this MOD.

Have done this both ways. Taking off the intake is the way to go. A bit more to take apart but worth it in my humble opinion. I would also replace the hoses. I have done 3 of these and had one hose break each time. And of course the cold weather version.

Got the old one off without removing the intake. Intake boots off, DISA off, throttle body off, wiring junction box loosened and pushed away.


Drain tube to the dipstick was full of emulsion. Dipstick drain clogged. All the old hoses broke. Distribution manifold full of emulsion too. Cleaning everything and re-installing after I get a couple of parts that broke.



I think taking the intake off would be a lot of extra work for little benefit. It's a b-atch for sure though. Not easy by any definition of the word.

The biggest benefit of taking the intake off is for putting it all back together. Getting the new ccv in and the side hose on is a struggle. You have to do most by feel. Good luck, hope it goes well for you.

^ no doubt. I've had a lot of luck smearing a little silicone grease on the o-rings. Greatly reduces the force needed for assembly.

I pulled the manifold after I started to try and do it without. It's way easier if you remove the manifold and removing the manifold isn't that much more work given the benefit of a much easier and faster installation of the new CCV.

I didn't really think taking the intake off was hard at all. Really made reassembly easier too .

Same here... My first time around I did this without taking the intake off, primarily because removing the intake looked quite daunting.

About 12 months ago I replaced the CCV again, but this time it was with the intake off because I had to remove the intake to repair a broken plastic hose for the radiator fluid.

What I recall from the first time replacing the CCV (2009 or so) is saying to myself that I would never do this again and that if it broke again I'd trash the car... That's how frustrating that process was for me.

So, when I had the intake off last year I took the opportunity to replace the CCV. :-)

If you know you have to do the CCV, I'd recommend you take the intake off and replace as much as you can while the intake is off... For example, replace the vacuum lines, certainly that hard plastic radiator fluid hose and the oil housing gasket.

FYI There is a updated oil dipstick guide tube which has a larger drain port that reduces the potential for clogging. It is part number 11437563831. Here's a link for reference.


FWIW On the M54 another approach to replacing the CCV is to remove the alternator and the oil filter housing. That gives you plenty of access to the CCV by reaching under the intake manifold. The side benefit of this method is that you can replace the oil filter housing gasket which eventually fails and leaks oil. You can replace the drive belts if they are old. You can also replace the clamps on the power steering reservoir too if they are leaking.

I replaced the OFHG last year. Should have done the CCV then. Good tip on the dipstick tube but I'm just going to clean it and put it back.