need a little guidance please
 

SES light came on and I whipped out the actron code scanner. Got a P0171 and a P0174 which translates to "System too lean - bank 1" and "System too lean - bank 2" respectively. Without delay I went to X5 world figuring that some of you good folks had already crossed that bridge. Searched on various key words in the X53 forum and sure enough some of you had "been there and done that". I'm just a little confused though. I could never find the archive that jp99 said he had posted on removing the center panel. It seemed though that others were saying that I need to remove the microfilter housing and then I can get to the crank case vent hoses which may need to be replaced. This was interesting to me from the stand point that a BMW service manager had told that he had corrected all of his oil consumption X5 customer complaints by replacing the crank case vent valve. So I figure since I also have an oil consumption issue I will replace the valve and hoses and fix both my problems. So for starters I removed the hoses that go from the air filter to the throttle intake. I found that the hose that goes from the MAS to the throttle intake was cracked and I'm guessing that this may be the reason for the P0171 and P0174 although I may still have issues with the crank case vent hoses. Basically my question is what do I need to remove to gain access to the crank case vent valve and associated hoses and are these the ones that everyone is reporting that they are collapsing and going bad at the back of the engine. The intake on the engine blocks everything from my view it seems and I'm hoping I don't have to remove the intake. Does removing the microfilter housing give me the access I need? I sure hope someone can point me in the right direction here. Thanks.

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...ight=vent+hose

Here's one access.

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...ight=vent+hose

Same I think.

Thanks. I forgot to mention a critical piece of information. I have the 3.0L motor. But I did take a look at the reference you gave me. I figured out that my crankcase oil seperator/vent as BMW calls it is actually under the intake about half way back from the front of the engine. It sits in behind the knock sensor module. Its really hard to see anything from the top side of the engine without removing a bunch of stuff. I wonder how the dealership mechanics replace this item and/or its hoses. Would they gain better access to do the work from the top or bottom of the engine compartment?

Yeah, pretty tight in there. I've never torn it down myself.
Probably tough.

Yes it is tight. Looks like to me you would almost have to remove the throttle body but I'm sure the seasoned mechanic has a trick or two to avoid going that route. I think I'll leave this alone since the hoses look okay. I was hoping to replace the crankcase oil seperator/vent just to see if it would take care of my oil consumption issue but it's not too terribly bad and so I'll just keep adding oil for the time being. Thanks for the advice and support.