Changing tube of death?

[TOM1911]

I've tried the search function and still haven't found the information to remove and replace the oil tube that a PO had installed upside down. Just what is involved in removing this tube? Will I have to remove the intake manifold and the coolant lines that run outside the block? Also I have heard that zip tying the spring helps on install, but will it help with the removal? The Bentley doesn't cover this.

[Atreus]

sounds like youre talking about the oil return tube that runs from block to intake manifold...

the zip tie method might work, it didn't for me. what did seem to work was:

lots of cursing
lots of wiggling
a couple of bloody knuckles
some beer
and your friend trying to help you jam that piece of shit tubing in place, without the spring shooting back out.
oh, and like 10-20 minutes.

if you dont mind replacing your IM gasket, then you can try it, but it didn't work that way for me..

[Streichholzschächtelchen]

I spit out an intake gasket, had to change them but this time installed Victor Reinz gaskets that are way better than the crappy brand used before.
I only removed the intake 90 boot, air mass flapper connector with air mass unit , water temp and the cold start sensor wires that was all no coolant lines or other things.
On the oil return tube compress the spring with two stainless safety wire tied 180 apart, easy to snip and remove later. Cleaned the tube ends, intake and block seating area with lacquar thinner then applied a little Hylomar to the "O" rings for a bone dry engine. Remember to install the tube before the intake. The front nut was the hardest one with the coolant line in the way but it can be be installed and torqued without removing it and dumping coolant.
Remember the nut torque seems rather for the size at 22 to 24 ft/lbs.

[Dominic49]

i dont understand whats so hard about this tube. i've never had any issues with it.

[Jordan325iC]

I believe you will have to remove the intake manifold, or at least loosen it heavily. I don't think you have the remove the block coolant lines, but it's been a long time.

Here's a little section of my e30tech turbo writeup.

From top to bottom:

1 o ring on top
Vent tube
Spring
1 washer
1 o ring on bottom

Use two tiny zip ties to compress the spring:

Then slide on the intake manifold with ease and cut the ties.

[Sagaris]

So you say that tube goes from the intake manifold to the block? Intake manifold + oil = confused. Sounds like a design from what18yahoo.

Does anyone care to explain where the oil is coming from/going to in the tube?

[b*saint]

So you say that tube goes from the intake manifold to the block? Intake manifold + oil = confused. Sounds like a design from what18yahoo.

Does anyone care to explain where the oil is coming from/going to in the tube?

I imagine a crankcase breather? Samething on my bike.

[Jordan325iC]

It goes to the intake manifold, but the tube doesn't actually see the intake air. It leads into the head.

[TOM1911]

OK, sounds like removal of the intake manifold will make life somewhat easier. I guess I need to order up an intake manifold gasket set and some hylomar sealant and get familiar with the 1/4" flex sockets then set aside an hour or two. Thanks guys, and I wonder why BMW designed this tube into the system? it just seems that there is adequate block ventilation in the inherent design. Unless the oil drainage in the head is lacking and this tube covers for it.

[jlevie]

That tube connects to a passage in the intake tha goes to a passage in the head for oil return from the head.

[McGyver]

remove the intake manifold (12 nuts IIRC) 6 or 7 are easy to get to with normal sockets, but the rest are so close to the walls of the manifold that i had to use a wrench and then my fingers (which took an hour). so EXTREMELY thin walled sockets would help. you could take the throttle body off to make it easier to work with, 4 nuts. then pull the intake off.

i was able to put it together quickly and easily by compressing the spring then holding it with the washer and gasket till it was in the hole. i think that i knocked it with a hammer to get sort of stuck in the hole and held it with one hand while i slid the intake back on with the other. then just wiggle the tube up till it is in the manifold correctly and tighten everything down.

[StereoInstaller1]

Snap-On sockets work far better for this than normal crap. Mine fit just fine, no clearance issues at all.

[TOM1911]

Yep, got a TB gasket already and I have suspicions about the IM gasket so, I'll be removing the manifold anyway. Gotta get a IM gasket and it probably wouldn't hurt to get new nuts for the IM studs.

[McGyver]

i was using crapsman tools. they work great 99% of the time, but that 1% is a real PITA! on a side note, is their an IM gasket? i didnt change one and dont remember seeing one...

[TOM1911]

Got the tube changed out Sat. (what a bitch!) they didn't tell me if the tube is installed inverted that it basicly is trapped in place and the only way to get it out is to remove the intake manifold. The manifold would have come out without removing the two heater hoses that run down the side of the block if it weren't for the three inch long stud on the #3 intake port which had to be removed before the intake could be slid up enough to clear the hoses. Once all that was accomplished it was time to see what the drunken monkeys at the dealers service dept. had done, luckily the tube was not crunched or collapsed on the ends and was salvageable but, the o-ring at the top was cut by the tube edge on installation thereby explaining why the damn thing was puking oil at the rate it was. All in all a job I don't care to repeat.