Oil Separator Valve DIY?

John Galt · #1 02-01-2008, 03:13 AM

Has anyone done a DIY on checking, cleaning, repairing or replacing the oil separator valve? Are there current parts that are less prone to failure that can be retrofitted to earlier cars (like 2001)? What about this heater option that just came out from BMW?

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mmmmm · #2 02-01-2008, 08:44 AM

I m also interested in this. Can you drive the car after the "burp" and if nothing is leaking now?

primetime · #3 02-01-2008, 08:53 AM

Yes you can drive the car after the burp. I experience the burp every cold morning when I start the car. Just after you drive it for 30 minutes or so look under the hood and make sure that nothing has popped out of place or is leaking like the valve cover gasket. But I'm actually getting the oil seperator replaced today! Its at the shop, Already had my valve cover gasket replaced, it blew...That was a direct result of a severe burp one morning..

As far as the DIY. I know one member here has done it...I believe his name is lojack...GL.

Boston X5 4.4 · #4 02-01-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by primetime

Yes you can drive the car after the burp. I experience the burp every cold morning when I start the car. Just after you drive it for 30 minutes or so look under the hood and make sure that nothing has popped out of place or is leaking like the valve cover gasket. But I'm actually getting the oil seperator replaced today! Its at the shop, Already had my valve cover gasket replaced, it blew...That was a direct result of a severe burp one morning..

As far as the DIY. I know one member here has done it...I believe his name is lojack...GL.

Why will replacing the oil separator make a difference - is the new one a different design?

.....just curious

primetime · #5 02-01-2008, 10:05 AM

Yes the new BMW part is a more updated version that will not have the same problems as the previous version. But if you're experiencing little symptoms like leaking valve cover gasket or rough burps when starting the car in cold weather. You definitely want to get the seperator at least checked out. Most likely there is condensation build up in the lines causing them to freeze..This is directly related to the oil seperator issue.

John Galt · #6 02-01-2008, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmmmm

I m also interested in this. Can you drive the car after the "burp" and if nothing is leaking now?

What is "the burp"?

primetime · #7 02-01-2008, 01:46 PM

The burp if i'm not mistaken is a sort of grinding sound right after you start the car. Sounds like belts grinding, but its not..It only happens during cold weather starts. And when the car has been sitting in sub freezing temps for longer then 6 hours or so. One morning about a month ago, it was 8 degrees and my car had been sitting for 12 hours or so and I started it and it made a huge burp, more like a sneeze...Right at that moment my valve cover gasket blew. I didn't find out until I pulled over on the freeway with my car smoking profusely...that was not a good day.

However, the oil seperator is known to fail in warm temps and climates too. It is not strictly related to cold weather only. It is just more likely to fail in cold weather..But I've never had the burp in warm temps...

John Galt · #8 02-01-2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by primetime

...However, the oil seperator is known to fail in warm temps and climates too...

Which is why I would like to know how to inspect and clean or replace the unit. Anyone?

primetime · #9 02-01-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Galt

Which is why I would like to know how to inspect and clean or replace the unit. Anyone?

As I stated above...A member here has done it. His name is lojack...PM him and maybe he will help you in further detail.

Boston X5 4.4 · #10 02-01-2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by primetime

As I stated above...A member here has done it. His name is lojack...PM him and maybe he will help you in further detail.

PM lo_jack or search the umpteen threads on oil separator, crankcase ventilation or similar

Hre a quick CnP from Lo_jack

lo_jack
Member

My friend who was a BMW tech said that the way he did it was remove the vacuum block from its mount on the intake manifold. I did that and pulled the air intake system, for the mostpart. I also moved something mounted to the front left corner (driver's side) of the manifold slightly so I could wdege a tool in to reach those screws. I forget what that thing was but it was only a couple bolts, and it went right back on.

After that, I was able to get the old sperator and all the hoses out, and a new one back in. It is not easy, and you have to screw those screws in nearly blind.

There is no reason to take the intake manifold off. I would not want to do that. Unless you are talking about the intake snorkel from the airbox to the throttlebody, in which case you probabl need the space.

I replaced my ICV at the same time, so I ended up taking off a bit more stuff than needed for just the sperator.

I put the upper hose onto the seperator before I positioned it, and threaded it up through the runner of the intake manifold to its correct location on the distribution piece (which I also replaced, btw), but the rest I clicked on after I had the sperator in place. That is a pain, but it is difficult to get the seperator in place with all the hoses on.

BTW he rightly told me, that you will probably break the old seperator in half getting it out. I did.

Anyhow, I did the whole job in about 2.5 hours and didn't screw anything up, and didn't have to take anything else off the car to do it. That is they way the techs do it (they dont take the intake maniold off) so that is the way I did it. Your hands will be mangled, but you will have saved yourself $1000.

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