Non scientific test
Lay a thin piece of plastic like a plastic grocery bag over the oil filler while idling. it should tend to suck the plastic toward the engine. My M50 has a vacuum leak from the large crankcase venilation hose. Replaced the hose and the suction seems better. Car ran fine before and after the "fix". BTW, I sensed a very quick idle adjstment when the cap was removed. So quick i am not sure it happened.
No real answer to your question- Just a shared observation

Originally Posted by
Jon K
I am wondering what a "normal" vacuum pressure is on a M50 non-vanos. My vacuum gauge reads ~18" hg when warmed up and idling. I am trying to trace a potential vacuum leak because when i take my oil fill cap off, the idle doesn't change.
Thanks,
1995 525i Auto, M50TU 2.5L, EAT chip, 1/95 build, USA, 205/65/15 tires, ASC+T, HID, lumbar, EC Mirror, BMW Alpine 5 radio with BMW-Pioneer CD Changer, abt 236k miles, Oxford Green/Parchment