325i crankcase vent tube

[essi1553]

So my car exhibits some symptoms of this failing, specifically the O-rings on this "spring loaded tube of death", that runs from the throttle body to the crankcase.

I heard theres a super secret trick to installing this without taking the intake manifold off, also something related to zip ties to keep the spring in place. Unfortunately for the last week ive searched I cant find a picture explanation nor and detailed secret method description to this method.

I'm hoping to tackle this tomorrow since i'd like to eliminate any problems this car has.

On a different note, any ideas on why the car sometimes stumbles during acceleration or is it always a bad cps, ive checked hoses and replaced what ive seen has been cracked, is the cps the next most obvious solution?

Sorry for the long post, thanks for reading.

[jlevie]

The secret to replacing the seals on the oil return tube is to remove the intake manifold. The tube cannot be removed with the intake on the engine as the upper end is in the intake and the lower end is in the block. You can slide the tube down against the spring to get it out of the intake, but the part in the block prevents removal. The reference to a zip tie is to use use that to keep the spring compressed when re-installing the manifold.

[BMW_325i]

Try googling "site:r3vlimited.com zip ties tube" in case it turns up something you haven't already uncovered.


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My bad :-)

[dnguyen1963]

A great number of people do not know the "site:R3vLimted.com..." syntax when searching for something.

[essi1553]

The secret to replacing the seals on the oil return tube is to remove the intake manifold. The tube cannot be removed with the intake on the engine as the upper end is in the intake and the lower end is in the block. You can slide the tube down against the spring to get it out of the intake, but the part in the block prevents removal. The reference to a zip tie is to use use that to keep the spring compressed when re-installing the manifold.

I know for a fact that is untrue, because there is a very knowledgeable mechanic that I personally know, that does it often. Problem is I cant afford it at this time after buying the frigging $1000 shocks and struts i just spent on.

BMW_325i, I mean you no disrespect but if you read my post, especially the parts in bold, you'd see that ive already heard of the zip tie trick. The problem im having is finding a DIY on the subject. I have found at least 20 posts all over the internet about the procedure, really dumbed down, but I have yet to see one picture of how the zip ties are placed and/or specific on how to do it the entire job, not just placing the tie, as there is alot going on in that area of the engine bay. I hope you reply non-sarcastically because im being as polite as possible.

[jeffnhiscars]

Here's the pic I took last weekend.

Note the the zip ties loop only on the top and bottom rings of the spring to minimize how much bulk you have to squeeze between the tube and the spring. Also note, as Jim said, you cannot get the tube\spring combo in to this position with the intake manifold in place. Thats due to the much longer section that goes in to the block which requires more room than you can see above the tube in this pic.

The point of the ties is to hold the tube down while you fit the manifold after the tube is in place. If you know someone who can replace the orings with the manifold in place, please have him explain it to you so you can share it with the rest of us.

[SpecM]

You CAN replace the top seal with the manifold in place, I've done it before. However you CANNOT remove the tube.

Sent from my Vortex