[vespa]

It's possible that lip could be intended to prevent the chain from jumping a tooth in the event of a major tensioner malfunction but I doubt it. It looks to me like an oil splatter deflector which is probably why it's not stronger. The chain will be carrying lots of oil up and flinging it off as it rounds the exhaust cam, this thing might bounce the oil back onto the chain or prevent it from building a frothy mess in the head.

[HeyTeeee]

Originally Posted by weehe126

I'm willing to bet the part broke by itself and the OP just found it sitting in the bead while taking the Vac off. I know when I took my VC off for the first time the corner of this top piece was already broken off.

Found it sitting on the ground after bolting everything together

[HeyTeeee]

Kinda scary such a large piece is so weak. I wouldn’t want that bouncing around in the head

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Originally Posted by vespa

It's possible that lip could be intended to prevent the chain from jumping a tooth in the event of a major tensioner malfunction but I doubt it. It looks to me like an oil splatter deflector which is probably why it's not stronger. The chain will be carrying lots of oil up and flinging it off as it rounds the exhaust cam, this thing might bounce the oil back onto the chain or prevent it from building a frothy mess in the head.

Bingo. I think you nailed it. Sounds reasonable to me.

[cahme]

Update ...
Well, my knock-off timing tool didn't fit my car. I had used it for an N52 before, so this was the first time I tried the N55 piece for VANOS gear. The nubs didn't quite line up to the holes. I ended up changing the chain tensioner and leaving the broken slide rail in since it was just the top lip that's missing. I did pull on it a bit and see if it was fragile and it passed my test.

[HeyTeeee]

The shop is done with the car I go pick it up today. I foresee taking the VC off again as they stated: "tHE ONLY NOTES HE MADE WAS THE VALVE COVER HAS A ONE WAY VALVE ON THE INSIDE AND THERE IS NO CAP ON IT, MAY CAUSE YOU TO BURN A LITTLE OIL. THEY SHOULD BE GLUED ON AND IT LOOKS LIKE ONE NEVER GLUED ON" I have no idea what they are referring to.

[cahme]

Well, once again I believe I've experienced the same thing:
See this post (full thread here).

[HeyTeeee]

Originally Posted by cahme

Well, once again I believe I've experienced the same thing:
See this post (full thread here).

I specifically asked if it was that piece they said no haha I would hope they wouldn’t bolt it back together without that. I’ve been staring at VC photos all day at work scratching my head. The guy said it’s something glued on??!!?!?!?! Maybe it was missed during assembly.

[weehe126]

I know that piece was laying in my head the first time ai took the VC off. Not even sure what it does as it's not a valve.

[vespa]

There's a metal one-way valve inside it that opens to drain oil from the separator when the engine is off and closes to force air to go thru the separator when the engine is running. Without it some of the PCV airflow will be drawn up thru that passage bypassing the oil separator and causing increased carbon buildup and oil consumption rates.

[bensk987]

Originally Posted by HeyTeeee

I specifically asked if it was that piece they said no haha I would hope they wouldn’t bolt it back together without that. I’ve been staring at VC photos all day at work scratching my head. The guy said it’s something glued on??!!?!?!?! Maybe it was missed during assembly.

Hey I hope you are following this post. I had same thing happen yesterday and was wondering if you had any long term problems with your engine?

Thanks

Ben