I seem to recall in my honda days that people would add a catch can that was powered by the intake, so:

VC->check valve->catch can->intake

with the catch can using gravity to separate the oil down into the can vs. the intake

I keep thinking of you guys with these CCV problems. So I had a thought, why can't you put in a Water Separator like the ones used for air compressors. Tie it in somewhere in the lines before or after the CCV, and you can even drain it every so often. They are also not very big, so fitment won't be an issue. Plus the compressor water separator does just that, separates the water from the air oil mix. I have never had one fail on my compressor setup. I even have that bastard sitting in the snow the past week.

I was wondering the same; I posed a question a couple of pages back about adding a desiccant canister somewhere in the mix. There ought to be some cost-effective method of removing the condensed moisture from the crankcase before it has a chance to form sludge and freeze.

I agree, the only reason I suggest compressor water separator is because its meant to run under extreme PSI, does exactly what you guys would need, you can drain it, and is meant for heavy duty action.

the problem would be to separate the moisture from the oil. On an air compressor, air and water can mix reasonably and then be separated. Oil and water cannot so simply. However, something tells me that there is something out there for marine applications that would effectively separate the two.

I think the moisture in the engine is unavoidable and I dont think thats the right way to address the problem unless there is a clean and clear way to get the moisture out of the oil without affecting pressure.

I think the right POV is to figure out how to avoid CCV failure, and I really like the catch can/pressure valve approach.

However, you would still have a partially clogged CCV at all times in the winter. Think of it like a heart, you may be able to bypass the blockage, but the blockage is still there.

Having said all that, I think there is a more holistic way to approach the CCV/sludge issue, having to do with driving habits, oil weights, additives, etc...

As I've said, I am the poster child for CCV issues, and I've never had a problem. The only thing I do different is that I run very short OCI's and use a season specific oil...

Here's something interesting; I was poking around on the Schmiedmann website, and they list an Oil Catch Tank; it's not built specifically for the e53, but it looks as though it might work. And only $53 (but not currently in stock.) Looks like on the M54 it would splice into the hose between the valve cover and the CCV valve. There's a sight glass to monitor the level in the tank and a drain cap in the side.

http://static.schmiedmann.dk/Product..._86922_big.jpg