Oil separator Removal nightmare AND NEED HELP!!!!!
 

I have an 03 X5 3.0 and had to replace the valve cover gasket because oil was pouring out. I descided to replace the valve because everyone says that is the cause. I took everything off as described in a how-to thread. Now that I putting everything back, the one hose that looks like a S is to be put one first then snaked through the intake. Well, I snaked it through but when I try to turn the O.S. into place it is hitting the intake and will not go into place. What am I missing? Now I have replace the intake gaskets on my 750il and was not this bad. I hope that I dont have to take the intake off. The only thing that I did not have to take off was the oil dipstick. Thanks for the help.

Yeah, they bury it under there... So which hose from this link are you having trouble with, and which end of it?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...94&hg=11&fg=15

Thanks for the reply. #3

#3 I usually put on from the top down. I snake it down from above, clip on the top, then the bottom (which is the fun part.......)

I tried that but the hose does not just snap on. You need to push it on then turn to lock and the turn is not possible. No room.

Anybody with this problem?

Turn to lock? It just snaps on... mind you it is a pain, but it does. I usually rub a thin smear of vasoline on the o-ring before pushing it on.

Weasel56, thanks for the reply. Yes the hose #3 on the realoem.com parts list has to slide in then turn to lock. If it would have just slide on like the other hoses it would have been on by now. I purchased the hoses from my BMW dealer. The other question I had is that the o.s. and all the hoses are exact same as the ones I pulled off. I thought that BMW had modified them so not to freeze.
Thanks again

There are several SIB's detailing the procedures for different models (3.0, 4.4, etc.) make sure you are replacing everything that is necessary. (i.e. some 4.4's require a new valve cover not just hoses)

I have a 3.0 and I have all the parts needed from the dealer.I think that they gave me a different type of hose. I need the type that just snaps in.

If I remember I either put the hose on before and then snaked the hose after I wedged the separator in or put it in from the top with the separator screwed down with one screw loosely. I think I remember needing to rotate that on actually but I got it on somehow. Sorry I don't remember exactly how I did that.

Which engine do you have? The M54 ? If so you need 3 things for the job. Make sure you got all 3.

Oil Separator Repair Kit 11 61 7 534 237
Dip Stick Guide Tube 11 43 7 563 831
Hose 11 15 7 532 628

Well I spoke to a BMW tech and he said that all of the #3 hoses turn and lock but how he gets by that is to heat the hose to soften it first, then use vaseline to lube it then just push as hard as possible and it will slide in.Well I tried it and I think it when in. Thought I can't really see and I tried pulling it apart and it seems that it went on. Now I have another problem:angryfire . I had to buy a new intake boot, it was cracked, and as I was putting everything back in and the plastic intake that goes inside the boot is too big and will not go into the new boot. I even heated it with my heat gun to make it more flexible but the new boot just will not stretch enough to go on. This is the last time I work on this vehicle. My 750il is a walk in the park compared to this. Thanks for all the help guys.

Mgruger, my x5 did not have the oil stick in the way. It is a 3.0 prod 11/02.

What do you mean that it did not have the oil stick "in the way?" Take a look at the SIB. I'll post it next.

Here you go. SIB 110803

Yes, I don't have the oil stick in the way. Now that I think about it, the only stick that I have is for the trans and its close to the firewall.

Ok I see, but you did change the oil dip stick guide tube, right?

Sorry to tell you, but BMW's don't have trans dip sticks... that IS your oil dipstick! (red top and all)

Updated SIB 110803

And the original (now outdated) SIB 110803 from December 2003 ... shows the problem has been around a while though. Although I still don't understand why some of the part numbers don't come up on realoem ? (e.g. E53 dipstick guide tube and E53 oil separator repair kit) Weird. Also adding the December 2006 update of SIB 110803.

SIB 110803 updated again. Now dated March 2009. (Last updated February 2009). No real changes to it, they are just identifying specifically that the affected cars all have the M54 engine.

A dealer here in MN advised to drill a hole below the o-ring. What the hell for. I did it, but I have no idea... The old dipstick guide has a hole as well. Has anybody drilled a hole in their guide?

Say what? So you're just drilling random holes in your engine? You realize that your engine is designed to operate with a certain crankcase pressure (10.0 mBar for the M54 & M62, and 22.0 mBar for the N62/TU) and that by drilling holes, I presume, you are now reducing that pressure. (Reminds me of the Three Stooges episodes where they get a leak in their boat and drill another hole to let the water out). Anyway, can you snap a couple of pictures of where these holes are and tell us how you made them? Most importantly did it help?

Is the hole out in the open??? That would be a vacuum leak if it is! So now if you get the lean mixture faults at least you know what it's from.