Cold weather Crankcase vent valve issues

[jmudalige]

Hi folks
My 2001 X5 4.4 (M62 engine) started giving some disturbing symptoms. On a frigid day in MN (-20F) after being parked overnight, it started up fine and within 5 - 10 minutes of driving very thick blueish smoke bellowed out of my exhaust and the engine died!! also accompanied by a burning odor and oil on my exhaust pipes

I towed it to the nearest repair shop and they replaced the Mass airflow sensor. And things went back to normal. (the weather had warmed up a bit as well)

2 weeks later the exact same issue on a below freezing day. I had the car towed home and removed the plugs they were covered in oil. Cleaned out plugs, and started the car. It emitted very thick smoke for about 3 minutes and then the smoke reduced quite a bit.

I can now run it and it still smokes more than it should, and gives out a strange odor (believe its oil burning). I use mobil 5W30 full synthetic.

Also have my SES light on giving out code P0343 (Camshaft position sensor circuit high input) my gut instinct is that code doesnt seem related to the symptoms.. smoke, burning oil etc.. but correct me if i am wrong

from research, I found out the part that needs replacing is the CCV (Crankcase vent valve) that gets damaged when the moisture buildup in crankcase freezes instantly, and releases oil from the crankcase into the intake manifold. The part number is 11 61 7 501 566.

My problem is, I cannot seem to locate the CCV in my engine. If anyone has been through this and can give me some advise on where to find this part and if replacing the CCV fixed this issue? Thanks much!

[amacman]

lookee here .

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...look-like.html

[Boston X5 4.4]

Originally Posted by jmudalige

My problem is, I cannot seem to locate the CCV in my engine.

This is for a 7 but similar to X
YouTube - How to change a dead OSV on a BMW E38 7 Series with an M62 V8 4.4L engine.

Alos, put 'oil separator' in the search tab and there is a ton of info. on the CCV.

GL

[jmudalige]

Thanks to both of you amacman and Boston X5 - The videos helped. although it seems easier to get to the rear of the M62 in the E38..

I am going to attempt to replace these parts this weekend with the help of a mirror.. As you can tell from the picture, its not easy to get to the rear of the intake. Maybe try to remove the cabin air filter housing area?


I found the list of parts that needs to be changed at

RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 4.4i Crankcase-Ventilation/oil separator

the part list is:
No. Description Supplement Qty From Up To Part Number Price Notes
01 OIL SEPARATOR 1 11151705237 $33.39
02 Bracket 1 11151705238 $3.37
03 Hex bolt M6X12 2 07119913013 $1.22
04 Vent hose 1 11157556837 $30.16 +core
05 Vent hose 1 11157556838 $30.16 +core
06 Hose clamp 23,9-27,1 2 11631716970 $0.79
07 Hose clamp L16-30 1 64218367179 $1.07
08 Hose clamp L18-24 1 07129952109 $1.07
09 Oil return hose 1 11151438302 $5.12
10 Hose clamp 15.5-18MM 1 16131179065 $0.67
11 Hose clamp L15-19 1 07129952107 $0.93
12 Oil return hose 1 11157560068 $10.13
13 Hose clamp 8-9.5MM 2 16131379229 $0.72
14 OILRETURNPIPE 1 11157520742 $156.13
15 HOLLOW BOLT M12X1,5X33 1 11151438305 $5.80
16 Gasket ring 12X15,5 2 13821432344 $0.53

Not sure if I also need part 11 61 7 508 541 which is the Intake Manifold Cover Rear with Non-Return Valve. Any ideas?


I also noticed both of your responses on the following post. Helpful information...

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-failsafe.html


Thanks again!

[amacman]

I have not taken the time to check on your parts list . the actual oil separator on the X5 is the bottle which is connected by a hose to the camshaft cover . the oil drains through a hose on the bottom of the bottle . the gasses go through another hose into the cover you mentioned at the rear of the manifold , same thing shown on the video in the link for the 7 series . this cover holds a diaphragm . the diaphragm will fail at some point in time due to the soft rubber from which it is made .
there is a shortcut repair possible on the 7 series whereby you can remove the round section which houses the diaphragm instead of removing the entire cover . the round cover requires replacement because it gets damaged during this removal process .. so you still need to buy the complete part but carefully remove the round cover and diaphragm from the new part . best to just fit the complete part on an X5 as access is easier .


EDIT ...... found a link showing the shortcut .
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/816587

[jmudalige]

Hi All,
I tried to remove the oil separator, removed the two 10mm hex bolts, but finding it difficult to get to the hose at the bottom of the oil separator. I can see the clamp that is probably a one time use clamp?

Question is: where is the CCV located in relation to the oil separator bottle? and what is the easiest way to get to the CCV? i:e what parts needs to be removed to make it easier to get to the CCV? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

(I am waiting on the parts at the moment for the oil separator and 2 vent hoses)

[mysweetx5]

Congratulation (jmudalige)!!! you came in the forum in the way like you don't know too much about mechanic, and now, look at some great job and pictures you sharing for other folks outhere.
Great job!!! keep that baby clean! hope your issue solved!

[jmudalige]

thanks .. yea this was my first hands on job on my X5 and I was actually able to remove and replace both the OSV and CCV. When I removed the CCV (rear intake cover) and felt inside the intake, there was a pool of oil sitting inside the intake! (see pic). I cleaned out as much oil using rags and put everything back together. It still smokes more than it should, I think driving it around will fix it, but I dont want to take a chance driving around when its below 20 F since it was the cold that caused this in the first place...

Overall not very happy about this design flaw in the E53.. But a big thank you to all of you who helped and provided input - I appreciate it a lot! will post an update when the issue is completely resolved!

[mysweetx5]

Once again! your inputs are truly appreciated!!! :I totally :agree: with the great jobs you're sharing in the forum. I've been doing my thing too just like you and never visited any stealer outhere cause of some great folks like you who have sharing pictures, posted comments on parts they have been replaced.
Even your issue has not been resolved yet, but you're getting there based on what you've been doing so far. If you sure that the rear intake cover has been cleaned or replaced, clean Oil separator specially check the little short hose that connect to the bottom part including the two upper. Because I remember that my bottom parts were melted like a showing gum and taring apart while pulling it slowly.

I think you should let the engine running for sometime so it can burn all the leaking oil that were sitting around the intake area. However I do have some heavy white smoke that comes out my intake muffler specially in the cold start morning, but after a few acceleration on take-off, the heavy white smoke disappeared and I do not suspected any leaking oil around. The only issue I've been having on my (01 X5 4.4i) is some ignoring vacuum leak with following codes: P0171/P0174/P1158/P1160. And I might be headed to the same rear intake area where you have been working through. Otherwise congratulation on your good performance because I know how it's a pain in the (S) to be working behind this rear intake cover to remove it and even taking pictures from behind inside through the front intake cover.

(01 X5 4.4i)

[HPIA4v2]

Originally Posted by mysweetx5

Once again! your inputs are truly appreciated!!! :I totally :agree: with the great jobs you're sharing in the forum. I've been doing my thing too just like you and never visited any stealer outhere cause of some great folks like you who have sharing pictures, posted comments on parts they have been replaced.
Even your issue has not been resolved yet, but you're getting there based on what you've been doing so far. If you sure that the rear intake cover has been cleaned or replaced, clean Oil separator specially check the little short hose that connect to the bottom part including the two upper. Because I remember that my bottom parts were melted like a showing gum.

I think you should let the engine running for sometime so it can burn all the leaking oil that were sitting around the intake area. However I do have some heavy white smoke that comes out my intake muffler specially in the cold start morning, but after a few acceleration on take-off, the heavy white smoke disappeared and I do not suspected any leaking oil around. The only issue I've been having on my (01 X5 4.4i) is some ignoring vacuum leak with following codes: P0171/P0174/P1158/P1160. And I might be headed to the same rear intake area where you have been working through.

(01 X5 4.4i)

As far as vacuum leak, check all of those 3/8" rubber hose, mine crack due to age (the one that is black with blue stripe on the above picture on top of intake manifold). Good luck.