[index1489]

Anyone with a 325i or 330i replace their oil separator?

Where you able to do it without removing the intake manifold?


This only applies to the 2006 N52 with the Magnesium valve cover, the 2007+ N52KP with the plastic cover has the separator built into the valve cover and is not serviceable as a separate part. (This also applies to the N54/N55).

Makes sense because I can't even find someone mention the word OIL Separator on this boards.

[Johnny D]

I have moved mine over to a different manifold when I did the three stage conversion. I dont see how you could remove/replace without first removing the intake manifold.

[index1489]

How hard is it to remove the manifold, say after you remove the microfilter and all that plastic shit out of the way, did you have to replace the gasket, is it a single gasket or bunch of small ones.
Thanks!

[RupertPupkin]

OP what is this? Can you show a pic or something? Didnt even knwo this was a part on our n52...

[index1489]

Its mounted on the side of the motor all the way to the back under the intake manifold.

This is not a good pic,

You should also change all the hoses, hose number 3 connects to the back of the valve cover, they are brittle plastic hoses and always break, when the dealer did my valve ticking recall and removed the valve cover they didn't replace the hose, Im certain they messed it up.

The oil separator is 60-70ish, hoses are 40-50 ish a piece for the 3 you need.


It's not difficult to do once the manifold is off, my bentley manual suggests its possible to replace it without removing the manifold by removing the air filter housing and attacking it at that angle.

[Phil325i]

Why not just tap into one of the pipes and plumb in an Oil Catch Tank?

[Johnny D]

Originally Posted by index1489

How hard is it to remove the manifold, say after you remove the microfilter and all that plastic shit out of the way, did you have to replace the gasket, is it a single gasket or bunch of small ones.
Thanks!

It's not extremely difficult, but it's not easy either. You could probably get the manifold unbolted and after removing the vent hoses (if they dont break ) move the manifold a few inches to get your hands in there. I couldnt...

Its 6 separate gaskets. They are cheap, just get new ones.

I've changed computers since I did the install so I don't have all of them, but here are a couple I do have. Unfortunately, all the good ones are on the other PC with a corrupt drive.
http://imgur.com/SSOdajI,NIAr2lm,Ynj...hgXZZK,eWlJsSu


Why are you replacing it? It doesn't seem like a part that needs replacing unless broken.

[index1489]

I'm having a weird noise/roughness at idle, I've gone around the world with it, and come back to oil seperator/hoses.

This all started shortly 5k miles after the dealer did my valve ticking recall.

Since then I've change just about everything.

Spark plugs
Ignition Coils
Intake/Exhaust Vanos Solenoids
Intake/Exhaust Camshaft Position Sensors
A Billion Bottles of Fuel Injector Cleaner from Redline, Chevron, Seafoam

Recently did the carbon cut out and cleaned the MAF.

Only thing left is my Oil Separator for the idle issue.

[aw3964]

I'm in the same boat but with a 06 530i N52.

Same issues as well. Does your RPM play get worse when you turn on the AC? Do you have to add a quart of oil every 800 miles with no sign of leak?


Those are pretty much my symptoms. The PCV was cracked and I changed that, but I shouldve done everything at one time.

Any on this job and has it fix your problem?