Need a DIY article for crankcase vent/oil separator replacement on a 2000 e39 528i

[Kibokojoe]

Good news. Talked to my mechanic friend today and he is going to come over and help me out. Started on the valve cover gasket today. Will need to pick up rubber washers tomorrow.

[Kibokojoe]

Had to pull the oil filter canister mount to replace the o-ring behind the mount. Once this mount is out you can easily see the ccv.

[Kibokojoe]

You guys know me by now I like to complete things and close them out. Hopefully this will help someone on down the line

These sites were full of helpful information.

My CVV (Oil Separator) DIY Journey in Pictures
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=417819

Detailed DIY for Crankcase Ventilation Valve Overhaul for the M52TU Motor
by Graham E39 528i
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1528460

***If you read anything read the next paragraph****
Graham’s site had information that saved my bacon showed me that the "connecting line" turned and locked into the "pressure regulating valve" instead of pushing on with a snap. I would have broken it for sure. In the end this little operation of lock and turn took me about 5 minutes but you are doing it blind.



Rambling….The whole procedure took me three days. The first day was 2 hours of frustration, followed by a day of more research and trying to convince myself that I could do this. Two days later I went back at it this time labeling everything as I went in. Made plastic coated tags with matching letters or numbers. Could not believe the number of wires, connectors and hoses to get to this little beast. Found out that not only were the CCV hoses cracked but that the CCV was broken. Oil and grim everywhere. Used simple green and rags to remove as much of the crud as possible. Any where I could keep a nut or bolt with a component I would do so, as long as they were not in the way. Also used a lot of zip lock bags and label them with there respective components. Finally got it all back together last night and the wife got in and started it up first try. All the extra work of labeling and keeping things sorted paid off. In the end I ended up replacing not only the CCV but the valve cover gasket, vanos hose, oil filter canister gasket and two of the hoses on the power steering fluid canister. This car had leaks everywhere. Total hours 19.5 wrenching and research.

The leaks in the CCV threw a check engine soon light and the following OBD2 codes
P1250 Fuel pressure regulator
P0300 cylinder 1 miss fire
P0302 cylinder 2 miss fire
P0170 Fuel trim malfunction Bank 1
P0173 Fuel trim malfunction Bank 2
P1188 Fuel and air metering
P1189 Fuel and air metering

So if you see these together chances are you have a CCV problem.