[N53]

Hello!

After a oil consumption problem I replaced my PCV valve in my 330i N53B30, installed a catch can, replaced PCV hoses and I am now having an oil consumption of 1lt / 4500kms (2800 miles) that is not too bad.

The new PCV valve and cap came from vanos-bmw.com, but it needs adjustment of the OEM spring because the rubber is harder and it doesn't close as easily as the OEM valve.

The adjustment is made by installing the PCV valve and cap, observing INPA values (don't want to describe the details), remove the PCV valve, adjust the spring, reinstalling the PCV valve and cap, repeat everything... Until acceptable INPA values are reached. I did 3 adjustments and I'm not sure if it is perfect, maybe I should adjust it a little more but I am a bit tired of taking it apart and reinstalling it, and there is the risk of damaging the valve rubber because it has to be glued to seal properly.

I was wondering if someone have already tried an external and adjustable PCV valve in a N53 engine.
It would be easier to make the correct adjustment by some kind of screw and would be installed somewhere between the intake manifold and the actual PCV valve that would be removed and the ventilation hole would be sealed.

Has someone tried it? Where could I buy one? Does it work properly?

[Phil325i]

Not changed the PCV valve in mine, but like you I installed an OCC and a partial blanking plate in the EGR valve to reduce the amount of carbon getting to the inlet side. Oil consumption is 0.5l per 6000 miles (9600km). Engine has done 109,000 miles (175,000km).

[N53]

Originally Posted by Phil325i

Not changed the PCV valve in mine, but like you I installed an OCC and a partial blanking plate in the EGR valve to reduce the amount of carbon getting to the inlet side. Oil consumption is 0.5l per 6000 miles (9600km). Engine has done 109,000 miles (175,000km).

My PCV membrane did only 125000km's, I guess the climate is dryer here in Portugal than in UK, it could be the reason it failed sooner.

I've seen you post about it in this forum, and you're one of the reasons I think my consumption is still too high.

I just changed one leaking injector and I am changing another one this week, I'm aware that it thins the oil and make the consumption grow, but I'm sure it will not reach the 9600km's as yours.

I don't want to change the valve cover for now, so the alternative is to use what I'm using now, or find a way to make an external PCV work for this engine.

Anyway, I made some research and I finnaly found this:
http://mewagner.com/?p=444

Has anyone tried this product?

[Phil325i]

I know it's pricey to change all injectors, but I'm not sure changing the odd injector piecemeal is worthwhile. BMW USA put out a service instruction that when replacing injectors, at least all those in a bank (cylinders 1-3 or 4-6) must be replaced if one needs changing...

[N53]

Originally Posted by Phil325i

I know it's pricey to change all injectors, but I'm not sure changing the odd injector piecemeal is worthwhile. BMW USA put out a service instruction that when replacing injectors, at least all those in a bank (cylinders 1-3 or 4-6) must be replaced if one needs changing...

I can't see the problem of changing only one injector, after re-adaptations there is no crazy individual corrections in the injectors of bank 2 where I replaced it. I'm having a problem in the other bank now, I tested it already to confirm, and re-tested the bank 2 for peace of mind. I will recheck it soon after replacing the other injector and re-adapt the fuel trims.

Anyway, I have already 2 index 11, and 1 index 9 on bank 2.
The bank 1 is all index 9, but it will have one new index 11 in a few days.
If there is any problem, I'll put the 3 index 11 in the same bank, but I'm not convinced, let's see how it behave.

Back to the topic

About the external PCV, I think, and if I don't find any cheaper alternative, I will try the one one from M/E Wagner, the instructions seems easy, I just need a way to find the correct values of pressure for the N53.

If I understand it well, it has an adjustable maximum pressure of crankcase for idle, when the throttle flap is closed, the PCV never fully close, and the other adjustment is for middle throttle position / cruising "with load", that defines what is the value of negative pressure in the intake that makes the PCV valve open. I have to take the time to read the site and watch their instruction videos on yt.

[Phil325i]

Here's the service guide which might help explain BMW's thinking:

BMW Injector 11 rules.pdf

[N53]

Originally Posted by Phil325i

Here's the service guide which might help explain BMW's thinking:

Attachment 2233064

Yes, I already read this document, but as I said, there is no individual compensation in opening time for the new or old injectors that I can see in INPA. Maybe I'm just lucky, and there are some injectors that are less compatible with old ones, I don't know.

It's easier for me to believe that as the BMW Services cannot identify the guilty injector accurately, maybe Siemens or BMW just uses this as an excuse to tell everyone to replace all the injectors for the bank where the cylinder(s) is(are) misfiring.

I will observe the value in INPA and if there is something abnormal I'll post it.