Oil Seperator AGAIN!!!!
 

Hello Everyone, its been a while since I've posted any questions or concerns, since my 2001 X5 4.4i has given me no issues to post. But, it was too good to be true...

Last month my Oil seperator broke. The last time it did that was over 4 years ago... No joke... Luckaly it was at home at the time of the break down and had it towed to my indy for repair. All fixed and car was fine for about a month or so. Well, the CCV broke again! This time on the highway. The best part is that it was the day after our huge strom in Chicago. To get a tow, was like looking for water in a dessert. Crazy, crazy day.

Now my question is, how could this break again? :dunno:My indy knows what to do, he did it fine since it was working for over a month. He stands behind his work always. So I'm asking for any information as to something else that needs to be changed? Does anyone know what major parts need to be changed in order for this not to happen again? Please, any help would be very helpful. I'm between a rock and a hard place. I want to know if I should even keep this SAV anymore. If this is going to keep happening, its just not worth it. The truck has 138k and it runs like a champ. I've changed everything on it. Like I said, never a problem for over 4 years now. Besides regular stuff. Thanks in advance.

I read this on an article:

In 2004, with the facelift of the X5, and technological advances; such as xDrive: a renewed part emerged. This part, appropriately named the "Cold Country Kit" consisted of a renewed Oil Separator assembly complete with insulated valves. We were horrified to find out that 4 out of 5 dealerships we contacted were not using this part to treat the oil separator problem with the earlier model X5's. They were simply replacing it with the original part, again and again.

I've noticed too on the forum that alot of people with the earlier model x5's have more so the oil separator problems.

The things that seem to help the separator valve from giving you trouble are; upgrading to the insulated unit, annually cleaning it out, limiting the amount of short trips and changing oil more frequently.

It is a part that requires maintenance if you take short trips and live in cold areas. It is not a part you can expect to fix just once in some cases.

I'm from the Chicago area too and I had the same issue right after the storm as well. I had mine fixed and it was replaced with the insulated tubing. What indy shop did you bring it too? Also do you know what parts they replaced as well? Did they change out the throttle boot as well? How much did you pay for the repair? You can pm me if you want. I am mainly on e90post.com with the same screen name. I rarely post here, but once I had this issue, i looked here for advice as to what the issue may be. I found out what it was and everything is now resolved.

I took to my guy at united imports. His the best around. He charged me 900 bucks for parts and labor. I don't remember the throttle boot being changed. What exactly is that? Is that the throttle body? And why would that have anything to do with my ccv issue? I had oil spilling all under my car. My mechanic is on vaca, he won't be back till end of feb. Luckily I have my 7 to drive but hate driving it in the nasty weather. So this insulated tubing? What exactly is insulated? I have the warmers put on 4 years ago and seemed to work, but the breakdown happened a month later and that's why I'm raising concern to figure out a permanent solution.

I am pretty sure BMW has a heating blanket that goes around the CCV lines. However, I don't think this is an absolute fix.

The reason the oil separator lines get clogged is from condensation in the engine. This condensation is typically burnt off as the engine reaches normal operating temperature. If you take many short trips, this condensation will not be burnt off and it will emulsify with the oil. As time goes by, this can collect and become clogged in the CCV and if temps are low enough, this can freeze in the lines and cause your issues. So, if you live in an area that sees temps below freezing, your best bet is to either clean out the lines annually, limit those short trips and/or change your oil more often.

As JCL has said in the past, the CCV is not the cause, only where the symptoms occur.

I thank you and everyone for replying, I just don't agree with this at all. There is a design flaw here and why don't I have to clean the ccv on other cars that I have? I have a 98 ford truck with 180K and NEVER have had a problem. My other friends and family members that have other bmw's, audi, or benz, never have these issues either. I just can't understand. I have my 06 750Li and it seems that they fixed the issue when they mad the updated 4.4 engine. So obviously there was and is a flaw. My two cents. Thanks again for all your help this forum rocks I will always post on here as long as I can. But the X5 is going to go bye bye. I can't take this BS anymore from this auto, I love it, its great, but I can't be worried if it will break down when its cold outside. And fyi, I change oils every 5k, I drive 25 miles one way to work everyday, so there is no way this should be happening.

I completely understand your frustration. If you change your oil that frequently and drive 25 miles to work, you wouldn't think this would be so likely to happen. Your only other bet if you keep the X is to physically clean it out as part of your routine maintenance schedule.