[lpcapital]

Improved dipstick tube design...

This avoids any kinks in the rubber line

 

[ninja_zx11]

Improved dipstick tube design...

This avoids any kinks in the rubber line

:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Diesel Don]

This is incredible information! I almost get panicked inside if I need to leave the car idling for any length of time due to the intake issue(wife sits in the car on a hot day and sends me in the store to pick up a couple of things...).

If only I could pay someone to put this beautiful thing together for me the way LP has done.....


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2011 X5 35D

 

[quasimodem]

This is incredible information! I almost get panicked inside if I need to leave the car idling for any length of time due to the intake issue(wife sits in the car on a hot day and sends me in the store to pick up a couple of things...).

If only I could pay someone to put this beautiful thing together for me the way LP has done.....

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2011 X5 35D

Untrained wife = CBU
Let that be a lesson to us all.
Wives are there to run into the store while we sweat it out in the car with the engine off and no A/C.

 

[Diesel Don]

Untrained wife = CBU

Let that be a lesson to us all.

Wives are there to run into the store while we sweat it out in the car with the engine off and no A/C.

Ha ha! True brother!

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2011 X5 35D

 

[Diesel Don]

So this is really interesting and it makes a lot of sense. I'm going to see what I can do to make this happen on my x5. I'm surprised but not surprised at the same time to know that the marketing and sales guys would probably be the ones to shut this filter idea down. In the not so long run you have a major "maintenance" issue with the carbon build up and not to mention the bad PR with so many people doing the research and scrambling to find out how to fix this.

Tragically this puts such an unnecessary bad name on diesels in this country at a time when we can least afford it. It's not just bmw either.... Most of the manufactures are doing the same thing and there is a really simple fix out for this problem.


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2011 X5 35D

 

[lpcapital]

So this is really interesting and it makes a lot of sense. I'm going to see what I can do to make this happen on my x5. I'm surprised but not surprised at the same time to know that the marketing and sales guys would probably be the ones to shut this filter idea down. In the not so long run you have a major "maintenance" issue with the carbon build up and not to mention the bad PR with so many people doing the research and scrambling to find out how to fix this.

Tragically this puts such an unnecessary bad name on diesels in this country at a time when we can least afford it. It's not just bmw either.... Most of the manufactures are doing the same thing and there is a really simple fix out for this problem.

Sent from BimmerApp mobile app
2011 X5 35D

It isn't my problem since I live in sunny San Diego, but BMW had issues in the past with the M54 whereby the cyclonic separator would freeze resulting in either cracked valve cover, blown rear mains or oil getting sucked up through the drain line resulting in bent rods.

To avoid these issues Parker Rakor has a heated sleeve that warms up the separator. A check valve on the oil return line would address syphoning issues.

The ProVent has a valve that vents the fumes in the atmosphere if the filter freezes... I think that is a non compliance with the EPA regs... But the solution would be an internal bypass valve whereby unfiltered fumes would go straight to the intake.

All and all there are issues to be solved, but I don't think they are insurmountable; I think is just sloppiness in the design of an important emission control system.

 

[quasimodem]

Looks good. But JB Weld?

Dont get all NASA high-tech on us now. :typing:

 

[Diesel Don]

LP, any updates on this? Is everything still staying dry inside the intake?

 

[Diesel Don]

It isn't my problem since I live in sunny San Diego, but BMW had issues in the past with the M54 whereby the cyclonic separator would freeze resulting in either cracked valve cover, blown rear mains or oil getting sucked up through the drain line resulting in bent rods.

To avoid these issues Parker Rakor has a heated sleeve that warms up the separator. A check valve on the oil return line would address syphoning issues.

The ProVent has a valve that vents the fumes in the atmosphere if the filter freezes... I think that is a non compliance with the EPA regs... But the solution would be an internal bypass valve whereby unfiltered fumes would go straight to the intake.

All and all there are issues to be solved, but I don't think they are insurmountable; I think is just sloppiness in the design of an important emission control system.

LP, any update to the effectiveness of your solution? Is the intake still dry?

 

[lpcapital]

Yes, sorry for not replying earlier: I was planning to do a comprehensive update, but here in a nutshell, with more to come...

The ProVent is performing exceptionally: the intake is absolutely dry. I've check both the line going from the ProVent back to the intake and also removed the charge pipe in front of the throttle/EGR valve and there is absolutely no trace of oil. I'm extremely pleased with the results.

I have however an issue with the hoses I'm using which turned out to be too porous and oil perspires; this also cause a lingering smell whenever I parked the car in the garage. I'm in the process of replacing the hose and changing out the take-off plate with a better looking one.

Someone has been able to machine a plate and I bought an aluminum elbow to weld. Now I'm waiting for a friend to get back from vacation to TIG weld it for me. It should turn out a much better looking and stronger. My current plate has a copper elbow soldered to a plate I cut using a jig saw: it works well as a proof of concept, but doesn't look too pretty...

 

[Diesel Don]

Incredible news to hear! This is a project I've got to tackle myself soon! Thanks for all the work you have put into this! Now if we could only get the manufacturers to pay attention to this and design this on their diesels from the start! We are already paying thousands more with all the emissions junk on the cars. All we need them to do is perform reliably from the factory.

 

[smuggymba]

Another great thread full of awesome info!!

On a side-note, how do y'all guys became so good at this. Did you just start this as hobby and did small jobs on your car and learned along the way or do you have a mechanical degree background or experience with cars? Just curious.

I would love to learn more about BMW diagnostics and did download some good reads. The first thing to start would be all the things needed for diagnostics like cable/sfotware etc. Any recommendation on which "package" to buy. I saw this one Enthusiast Kit at BavarianTechnic for $347.00.

http://www.bavariantechnic.com/buy.aspx

Let me know your thoughts. Thx.

 

[lpcapital]

Today I completed the plate. My proof-of-concept model was really not holding up: soldering copper with aluminum using a propane torch didn't really work and the seam was leaking.

But that's history.

Here's some WIP pix:

Here's the final product:

I used a rattle can of flat black Rustoleum High Heat to finish it. That's after cleaning it with some acetone and warming it up in the oven at 170F. Since my wife loves me no matter what she let me use the oven in between coats...

And the final product:

I'm letting it dry overnight then tomorrow morning I'll put it all back together.

While I was there getting the thing welded a friend showed up who just got back from a little fishing. He had 2 25lbs yellowfins so we had a little sashimi:

 

[ninja_zx11]

Looks really good LP and it turned out really nice.Good job as usual!!:thumbup::thumbup:

Did you open up the .750" hole that i machined or elbow just fit right into the hole?Also please make sure that plate didn't get warp after welding.Otherwise it might not sit flush with the mating plate. I need to get that aluminium elbow too as its looks really nice.You are quite good in finding parts!!!!

I haven't touched my plate yet and its gonna be a summer project.In the mean time i will get the elbow and hoses from the same source you got.

 

[lpcapital]

Did you open up the .750" hole that i machined or elbow just fit right into the hole?Also please make sure that plate didn't get warp after welding.Otherwise it might not sit flush with the mating plate.

I did: I ended up offsetting it just a little bit towards the side with the arc (hopefully or males sense). The hole is 1 inch.

It did warp just so slightly but he resurfaced it so it's flat again.

I asked him about the cost of the mandrel bent aluminum elbow: he said unless you buy them in bulk $20 is a what they go for...

 

[ninja_zx11]

Awesome!! and please let us know about the hoses too. I will order hoses and elbow.

 

[lpcapital]

For the hoses I ended up using a length of heater hose I got from Napa. At $3 per foot is what I call cheap... I'm unsure if it is rated for oil or not or if it will deteriorate but if it does we'll cross that bridge when needed.

Given the mounting position I've chosen the two pieces are 23" and 29.5" long respectively

Here's also a couple of picture of the plate installed showing how long the tangent needs to be.

 

[ninja_zx11]

Great!! Did you have to put any gasket between the aluminum plate and base of pcv?Thanks for sharing with pics.

 

[lpcapital]

Great!! Did you have to put any gasket between the aluminum plate and base of pcv?Thanks for sharing with pics.

Yes, you will reuse the original gasket.