If you've got a 10 yr+ X5, Oil Separator pipes / Hoses may need replacing.

[LooneyLeon]

I recently had my X5 converted to LPG, the guy that did the conversion informed me that the top CCV Vent Hose from the Oil Separator had perished and split so needed replacing.

I've had no engine lights on and car seem to have been running fine, not putting smoke out the exhaust or using excessive oil; so I never would have known this pipe has basically totally failed.

So I thought sod it I would replace both TOP and BOTTOM Vent Hoses, 2 x oil Return Hoses, the Oil Separator itself, along with all the clips etc.

Well I must say as you're changing all this it all looks pretty scary and you think why the hell did I start this I must be mad.

So far i've removed the TOP and BOTTOM vent hoses and the oil separator, and ive managed to RIP the oil return hose that goes from the Oil Separator into the metal Oil Return Pipe, so you could say im commited now and have no option other than to drain all the oil out the car and remove the Metal Oil Return Pipe, so I can attach the new Oil Separator Return Pipe.

I can't continue until Tuesday now as needed to ordered some special gasket rings from BMW.

My car is a 2003 4.6i.s and has 89,000 miles on the clock, its worth noting that all the rubber pipes have perished, the other haven't split yet but they are very weak and break very easily. They just pull apart as if they are made out of bubble gum.

So my advice would be to check these pipes,and replace if necessary, the difference in feel between the brand new ones and the ones ive taken off is night and day. The ones on the car feel really soft and extremely flexible, the new ones are more like water pipes and hold their shape.

Hopefully Tuesday will go well. 

[Bigchris1c]

Find this really interesting Leon. I have the same car as your and although I have no visible oil leaks, my oil does need topped up occasionally. This may or may not be the reason but will give me food for thought.  Feel free to post a pic if that's ok!!

Thanks, Chris.

[kjb1]

quite common to do this on older BMW's when changing out ccv etc [emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone

[Rob5]

I had to do this just a few months ago. All the hoses and the seperator exactly as you said. Makes me wonder why they make them of this perishable rubber when its obviously going to fail. Good luck finishing the job off.

[Horizon]

Manufacturers don't want cars to last that long, they want you to scrap them and buy a new one at that age

[PaulZ32]

While changing my valley pan gasket, I had to change the hoses as well as they were perished.

[X5Sport]

I'll have a close look at our E46 which is now 10yrs old - and though it is a 3.0 diesel it's still worth checking by the sound of things.