*update* 4.4 aFe intake install problem --> *solution*!!
 

Hey everyone-

I know I'm not the only one with installation woes on a single-VANOS (pre-2003) X5 4.4. I've finally managed to get in touch with the guys at aFe and the techs have asked me for a picture to help figure out exactly what piece is causing the trouble. The pic is posted below. I'll keep updating this thread as I learn more information. I'm determined to get this working!! :)

http://www.intriciti.com/temp/intake.jpg

I think you're confusing single and dual VANOS. The M62 engines ('00-'03 X5 4.4i) are single Vanos. The N62 engine ('04-present) are dual VANOS, Valvetronic engines). The real non-VANOS engines are the old M60 Nikasil engines that were found in the 1994-1995 540i's and 740i's.

Crosvs -

Your answer might be in this new post by imola4.8isWA:

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...ht=afe+install

*embarassed* :doh: um, right, thank you for that, i'll make the appropriate changes now :D

Yes i've read those posts, I guess i'm just doing this is as a final confirmation ... after all, that piping is definitely going into some sort of ... device lol, and not merely the fender .... anyway looks like i won't be hearing back until monday now :(

hey i just thought about something else: see that accordian-looking tubing coming in from the right? i noticed it's basically a ram-air scoop from the hood of the car ... and then i also noticed on other peoples' installation pix that they've just completely removed this altogether, along with that piece of tubing that i've hilighted in red. Is this the general consensus, then, to just remove all of these so that the only source of actual air intake is the new aFe filter?

thanks :)

p.s. i've decided to (probably) not wait until monday and just do this with a buddy of mine tonight or tomorrow :)

actaully, i just realized something: with the aFe intake installed, it will be COMPLETELY blocking any of the air that would have been coming in from the stock grill "ram air" intake ... honestly, i don't realy see how this mangnum force intake is providing any more air ... if anything, it seems like it's going to be providing LESS air :( -- i guess my concern is this: whereas before the stock airbox was being fed by *THREE* sources of air -- (1) fender intake; (2) little tube thingy intake; (3) kidney ram air intake -- it seems like now it's ONLY going to be getting air from that corner of the engine bay, without ANY air reaching it at all from the kidney intake on account of the heat shield being in the way. Thoughts?

EDIT: i just reailzed that the intake does NOT block the kidney intake, but rather redirects it to the new filter. good. now i just have to confirm what that little rubber thingy does... hopefully this all works out :)

I dont have a V8,bu this is probably the oil breather hose.If so,it doesnt suck any air,so you can just extend it out of the way or get a midget air-filter to put on the end of it!

What the hell does an oil breath hose do?

I WENT to aFe and they had NO IDEA what that hose was for.

*UPDATE*

Ok everyone, so I spoke with Michael at aFe last(?) week and he immediately shipped me a "breather" for the hose -- totally free of charge, not even shipping cost. He knew exactly what I was talking about and this is what I received.

http://www.intriciti.com/temp/hosebreather.jpg

Now all I gotta do is figure out how to remove the plastic clip at the end of the hose which used to connect the hose to the stock airbox. I cannot remove it because it's kinda like a hoseclamp but without the screw to undo it: kinda like a permanet hoseclamp!! Any thoughts?!

And no i can't cut it off: it's super tight around the rubber hose so it's impossible to get anything under it to snip it.

That small filter is similar the one I the posted before in a similar recent thread!
Good to hear that the guy at AFE sent you the filter FOC,but it should have been included in the kit in the first place!
You have to cut the plastic clip!Cant you get a soldering iron in there to melt it?

a soldering iron?! hm. i guess that's one way to do it. if i had one. :P

A soldering iron is a cheap utensil an you can buy it at any hardware store or car accessories shop.

Are you sure you cant cut it with small cutting pliers???

Use a small, flat blade screwdriver and the "perma-clamp" will release and pop right off (no, you won't be able to reuse it).

Be sure to pry on the edge.

Cool. Ben's here too...

NO, don't break off the plastic. Go to the other end of the hose and slide it off the canister. Then just slide the new filter over the canister tube.

http://www.intriciti.com/temp/hosebreather.jpg

From the looks of the breather filter they sent you, it requires it to be oiled.

Unless, of course, the actual material is remay (vs. typical cotton gauze) which does NOT have to be oiled to trap contaminants. Better check with AFE.

do WHAT? slide it over and do what?!

and no, it's oiled....

The rubber hose shown in all the pictures... it is connected to the airbox (which you have removed) at one end and a recirculation canister on the other end. Remove the hose completely from the canister (it's underneath the AFE shielding, so you might have to uninstall the AFE system). When you do this, it will be obvious where the mini-filter will fit... on the cansister tube.

OH!!!!!!!!!!

:rofl: you mean it doesn't attach to the hose itself, but rather to that canister?!?!

hahaahahah :doh: of course!!

aside: i noticed you were very particular with your word choice of "ricirculation canister" -- do you know exactly what this thing does?

How much time do you have?

Ok, this is my educated guess so anyone can reply if you think I am off on anything. A lot is based off my knowledge from my E36 which has a carbon canister in the similar location as the X5.

Anyways... a fuel system by law must be a closed system meaning no gas or vapors can be released into the air. Gas sitting in your tank, especially a full tank will release vapors which must be collected by the vehicle, usually in a carbon canister. When your car sits for any amount of time this canister will fill with gas/gas vapors and will be vacuumed out when you start the engine. This vacuum empties the canister and pulls the vapors into the intake manifold where it is burned off by the engine. This is all done in the name of emissions control.

This is why I believe only the 4.4 from California have this tube to the airbox and there is only a vacuum in this hose at engine startup.

my 4.6is has this same tube. not-2-mention an additional
tube that no other model X5 has. check out my thread
here.

ah ok, makes sense. cuz this morning i noticed it literally is a sucking vacuum effect that suddenly shuts off once the temp needle exits the blue.

good thread. The same issue that i came across last weekend installing my AFE. Thanks guys especially OP!

That small filter came with my AFE (I purchased it from Bavarian Autosport)

So is this only on vehicles with California Emission Control device? My 300ZX also has a carbon canister, which i will eventually remove to shed some pounds.

I don't recall seeing this tube on my x, but now I will check again.

how is the performance

on mine, this is what i noticed:
quicker response, when i floor it the RPM doesnt go above 4000 and shifts right away, and of course, a lovely sound. :thumbup: driving is more fun now highwaay and city, it seems to take you up to speed in no time. But could be me, or its all in the mind, but on a 4.4L engine, i would recommend this!