Testing ccv

I'm attempting to stay ahead of possible maintenance issues. Just checked crankcase pressure from both the dip stick and the oil fill. Both readings about -6"wc with a warm engine. Look good or what should they be? Should this be done with a cold engine?

Originally Posted by THEHULK

I'm attempting to stay ahead of possible maintenance issues. Just checked crankcase pressure from both the dip stick and the oil fill. Both readings about -6"wc with a warm engine. Look good or what should they be? Should this be done with a cold engine?

I'd start here:
- How to test the crankcase ventilation (aka CCV, CVV, PCV, CPV, & OSV) pressure regulating valve system (1)

Should be between -3 to -5" WC, IIRC.

So he's good @ -6. Nice gadget.

Originally Posted by FLE39

So he's good @ -6. Nice gadget.

Looks like he's got a little too much to me.

See this thread and this post (#23) for CCV operation & testing on a warm engine.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=445403
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...7&postcount=23

While your pressure is high, you do not have a problem (YET!).

My CCV system was original, at least I'm 99.99% sure it was. 106k, FL car. No gunk, no mayo. Nothing was cracked or plugged. It was actually still working. But I can really tell the new CCV system sucks alot harder when you put your hand on the oil filler cap opening. Wish I had a tool to measure the befor and after. I guess a old fashion Vac gauge would of worked.... Doh!

Thanks your all very helpful.

Hey guys. Look like my CCV was bad. I just replaced and had a big rip in the diaphragm.
Tested the new one with a manometer and has reading moving around from 3 to 6" WC. Easy job took less than 2hours. I highly recommend the use of a manometer to test.

Thank you very much for being a good netizen, by stating the original values, how and where you tested the inches of vacuum water column, and for the update as to the problem, all with an excellent close-up picture of the results.

Kudos to you - you're obviously intelligent, and caring of others.

So that the NEXT person easily finds this information, I usually post to the one 'canonical' thread on the topic, but I think we actually have two good threads for testing the CCV:
> E39 (1997 - 2003) > Cute little trick to diagnose blocked CCV system...
> E39 (1997 - 2003) > How to test the BMW E39 pressure-controlled crankcase ventilation system (CCV)?

So I posted your results to both. That way, others are sure to find it in the future, long after we're gone.

EDIT: BTW, if someone could EXPLAIN why the tear in the CCV of this thread resulted in greater vacuum, I'd be glad to annotate a separate diagram with the information.

Here's what we currently have for annotations - but if you can give me a paragraph which explains how a tear caused more vacuum, I will create a new one.