PCV valve

[Davros]

I got my 2000, Z3, 3.0i a couple of months back from a private sale in Calais with only scant details of previous maintenance. The overall appearance is pristine; it looks well cared for, and a VIN check was clean. But for peace of mind I’m starting a schedule of tasks as a baseline for a regular works programme. I’ve changed the engine oil and filter and over the next few weeks I’ll be replacing the valve cover gaskets (minor seepage) and spark plugs, gearbox and differential oils, Vanos oil feed pipe and fuel filter, and a check on liquids and supply hoses before I travel to the UK in May for a 2500 mile round trip.

I’m also pondering whether to replace the PVC valve and ancillary connection hoses which, according to the BMW maintenance chart I’ve seen, should be replaced after 100,000 miles. The engine isn’t showing any signs of a valve malfunction, but this is my first BMW so I’d be grateful for any guidance about this and a ‘how to’ description would be very helpful too. Thanks in anticipation.

 

[AntStark]

There are 2 ways of doing it, with or without taking the inlet manifold off. The former makes it easier to get to the PCV but is much more involved. If you do it with the intake manifold in place there are plenty of vids on You Tube. As you need to take a few things off it’s a good opportunity to replace other rubber parts at the same time. I am going to have a crack at mine.. also a 3.0. This is for a 5 series but exactly the same except I don’t think you need to move the dipstick. The pipes do get brittle with age.

View: https://youtu.be/vfqPbrl9-os?si=fom_fBbyeX3xK2i0

 

[Davros]

Thanks for the video link; won't this be fun; I mean could BMW have designed a more awkward set-up or what!! As they say hereabouts - Bon Chance mon ami. I see from the other thumbnail video link that some of the after market tube/hose connections are a different shape to the BMW OEM parts - which is a bit of a worry. Given that we are way beyond the typical OEM stocks threshold period (I0 years?) I wonder if BMW still stock these items, so part of the fun might be finding replacements that are fit for purpose. Have you sourced a supplier for the replacement parts yet; and if so I'd be grateful for the link.

This is certainly a job that needs doing as soon as.... But meanwhile I'm lucky to have a local garage mechanic who owns a 2004 Z4, so step 1 will be getting him to run a function test on the system.

 

[AntStark]

Febi do a good replacement kit. You can either buy individual parts or the whole kit
This is the whole kit (Febi part# 46303) I matched each of the hoses to the part numbers for my 3.0 on RealOEM so it "should" fit.

febi | 46303 | Breather Valve for crankcase, with additional parts | bilstein group partsfinder | Official Catalogue for febi, SWAG & Blue Print Spare Parts

febi 46303 Breather Valve for crankcase, with additional parts suitable for BMW

partsfinder.bilsteingroup.com

Best price I have seen is on ebay at about £90, but that was a UK supplier. You shouldn't have an issue getting it in France though.
You are right about it being a PITA to get to.. but slow and steady and you can inspect the disa and the other hoses along the way.

Given the M54 engine was used in so many cars i don't think you'd have an issue finding genuine BMW parts... just the $$$
I should/could do a smoke test on mine but actually this is more about preventative maintenance on a part that is known to give up after 100k miles

 

[Davros]

Brilliant. Many thanks for the link and observations. Yes, the BMW mark up is hefty, eh. The local dealership couldn't supply the Vanos oil pipe and their price for a fuel filter was 100€ incl. compared to a MAHLE, OEM, from bmwpartsonline (UK) @ £47 +p&p. With you on the preventative maintenance; and it's good to have an 'in-house' selection of recommended BMW spares suppliers..

 

[E-numbers]

Have had trouble with this on a couple of cars- N52 and Alpina 3.3, seems like a maintenance “when” rather than an “if”.

 

[Davros]

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE:

Update. I decided to tackle several maintenance tasks on the Z3 - completed today; and everything works!.

FUEL FILTER REPLACEMENT

The task itself was easy enough with the car on axle stands, but beware and take a close look at the fuel feed lines; on the 3.0i there are three rigid plastic lines connected to braided rubber hoses running through various support fixings. My lines had degraded and fractured when released from the filter; not cheap to replace (300€) - but what is!

VALVE COVER GASKET.

I followed the guidance in the YouTube ‘how to’ video links below and although, on the face of it, this task looks quite detailed, the job was straightforward enough. I did however use a little dab of Loctite 222 on the blind nut threads and torqued nuts down (10 Nm or 7 ft/lbs).

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-TLgNCmTlY
&

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6MwYafETIA&t=189s


PCV REPLACEMENT - Removal.

Whist I had the bonnet up I also decided to to replace the PCV valve with the complete set of connected pipes; I opted to do this with the inlet manifold in situ. Access to the PCV is space restricted and various ancillary items and electrical connectors have to be shifted out of the way; and although it’s a painstaking task, slow and steady with attention to detail and its not difficult to remove, but it’s awkward so allow plenty of time. You Tube has various how to videos for the M54 engine, the procedure is much the same for the Z3, except there is no need to remove the dip stick tube.

I found it nigh on impossible to release the existing PCV connections so once access is gained it’s simpler and quicker remove the two Pan Head Torx 25 screws holding the PCV in place to allow some wriggle room to cut the pipes.

PCV - Replacement.

I bought the Fibi Bilstein 46303 kit recommended earlier by AntStark; I also got a replacement gasket for the throttle housing assy. (one of the many items that need to be shifted out of the way). I found no easy way to install the new PCV; it’s bloody awkward lining up the connections. But if you loosely fix the PCV to hold it in place (again giving some wriggle room) access is a tad easier, and silicone aerosol spay also helped lubricate the connections. I started with the ‘crook’ vent tube from beneath the top cover by the inlet manifold rail; the ‘click’, as with all the connections, confirms it’s fixed home. Next was the vent return pipe from the ‘crook’ spigot running alongside the inlet manifold to the connection at the rear; then the connection from the ventilation hose on the valve cover box; and then the feed from the PCV to the dip stick holder. Finally tighten the two PCV retaining screws and double check connections before reinstating all the ancillary kit and electrical connectors. There are many You Tube videos available but I found these two good for attention to detail -

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMwVe0NAcZs&t=454s
and part 2

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNtxwErvhz0&t=301s


DISA - Upgrade.

It’s recommended that the DISA should be checked for any issues after 50,000 miles; the flap on mine was suspect and the pin holding it in place was loose, so I upgraded the unit with a replacement flap kit; YouTube has videos on this too. X8R Ltd is a reputable supplier of the DISA upgrade parts. Cautionary note; there are two kits available for the M54, so make sure you order the right one for your engine size – they’re not interchangeable. X8R include pdf ‘how to’ downloads and guarantee parts for the life of the engine.

https://x8r.co.uk/bmw/bmw-disa-repair-kits.html

VANOS

I also decided to replace the Vanos oil feed pipe. The Vanos operation seems okay, with no signs of issues. But @ 122,000 miles I will refurbish that when the piggy bank recovers. X8R also have a selection of Vanos refurb kits.


Doing the jobs m’self saved several hundred in labour and I have the peace of mind of a job well done with OEM or equivalent spec. parts supplied that are fit for purpose.

 

[AntStark]

Chapeau ..well done for tackling the PCV. I did a smoke test on mine recently and as it wasn’t broken I decided to leave it alone for now.