330d Oil Breather

F31-340i · 09-20-2009, 06:41 AM

Quick question

Anyone changed the oil breather on their E9x 330d? Do they clog like they used to on the E46 (possibly leading to turbo failure), or is the design resistant? My car is approaching 60k miles and I'm wondering whether to do it when I get the air filter sorted as a service item. They are only around £30 I think and if you've got at the air filter, you may as well do it.

Cheers

James

willhollin · 09-20-2009, 07:27 AM

Where is it located James?

F31-340i · 09-20-2009, 08:02 AM

As on realOEM (link below) it looks in the same place in a 231bhp 330d as on the previous gen E46 engine - i.e. near the back of the air filter on the right (i.e. on the top of the cylinder head).

Its part 11 here on a 231bhp 330d - it is also similar on a 335d, but slightly different with a vent pipe. The newer 330d engine seems quite different.

I recall they changed the design on the E46 from a spongey filter (which got blocked) to a venturi type solution (which may have been block proof). I assume the E9x is the later design, but perhaps they still get clogged eventually? Maybe not, I just don't know.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...34&hg=11&fg=15

(PS how do I make the link above appear embedded?)

F31-340i · 09-20-2009, 08:10 AM

...plus when I bought one for the E46, the part came with all the new little seals/gaskets etc. and it is really easy to change (noting the risk of dropping something right into the engine - be careful!).

willhollin · 09-20-2009, 08:13 AM

Think our best bet is to get Dr Dave to have a look and see if his is dirty first.

F31-340i · 09-20-2009, 08:16 AM

You can see it here - its the round object next to the filter at the back.

Dr Daves looks quite blocked to me from here - probably robbing 20-30bhp - I think he needs to take another look.

Dr Dave · 09-20-2009, 09:59 AM

I'm right onto it guys, best get this done before I get me remap!

Has anyone told Carlos about this potential power-sapping problem? The DXB could be performing below its true capacity!

tmarshall57 · 09-20-2009, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///ajd

Quick question

Anyone changed the oil breather on their E9x 330d? Do they clog like they used to on the E46 (possibly leading to turbo failure), or is the design resistant? My car is approaching 60k miles and I'm wondering whether to do it when I get the air filter sorted as a service item. They are only around £30 I think and if you've got at the air filter, you may as well do it.

Cheers

James

Was this a specific service item on the E46? I don't think it is on the e90.

Dr Dave · 09-21-2009, 01:11 AM

No I don't think it was a service item but it is well known for clogging up and causing problems, usually excess crankcase pressure and oil smoke from the tailpipe.

F31-340i · 09-21-2009, 03:27 PM

It wasn't originally a service item on the E46, but then became an Inspection II change item later on, probably due to the clogging experiences with the original sponge design. After the design was changed, I've no idea whether it stopped being a service item or not. It would be useful to find out.

F31-340i · 09-28-2009, 04:17 PM

Cotswold are selling them on ebay - sounds like they've hiked the price from the £30 they used to cost!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GENUINE-BMW-BR...d=p3286.c0.m14

I assume this is the new design - it looks identical to the one on the 231ps 330d, but note this part fit seems to stop at 2005, so perhaps not.

Dr Dave · 09-28-2009, 04:27 PM

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-BMW-Oi...d=p3911.c0.m14

This looks like the later item.

F31-340i · 09-28-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-BMW-Oi...d=p3911.c0.m14

This looks like the later item.

Part no. is 11.12.7.799.366, which matches E46, X5, E6x and X3, but not E9x, according to realoem.

F31-340i · 09-28-2009, 05:13 PM

I'm going to ask my dealer to change this part when theyr do the air filter (of which more perhaps later), so I'll see if the old part was showing any signs of getting clogged or not at 60k miles.

willhollin · 03-26-2010, 04:08 PM

Did you ever get this changed James?

F31-340i · 03-26-2010, 06:48 PM

No, I didn't. I did specifically ask about it - the dealer knew all about the history of breather problems on the E46, but said it was not an issue on the E9x engine due to the changed design.

I wasn't 100% convinced but left it at that.

I now wish I'd insisted on doing it anyway in retrospect, its such a cheap part and most of the labour is covered if they're already at the air filter.

I'm not convinced the new design is unblockable - after big mileages I suspect anything is blockable with the gunk you can get in a smokey old diesel, even with gucci fully synthetic oil.

09-20-2009, 06:41 AM	#1
F31-340i Colonel 161 Rep 2,475 Posts Drives: BMW 340i Touring Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ... iTrader: (1)	330d Oil Breather - service item? Quick question Anyone changed the oil breather on their E9x 330d? Do they clog like they used to on the E46 (possibly leading to turbo failure), or is the design resistant? My car is approaching 60k miles and I'm wondering whether to do it when I get the air filter sorted as a service item. They are only around £30 I think and if you've got at the air filter, you may as well do it. Cheers James
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09-20-2009, 07:27 AM	#2
willhollin Major General 272 Rep 9,914 Posts Drives: VW T5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcestershire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 330d SE [10.00] 2010 Transporter T5 ... [0.00]	Where is it located James?
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09-20-2009, 08:02 AM	#3
F31-340i Colonel 161 Rep 2,475 Posts Drives: BMW 340i Touring Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ... iTrader: (1)	As on realOEM (link below) it looks in the same place in a 231bhp 330d as on the previous gen E46 engine - i.e. near the back of the air filter on the right (i.e. on the top of the cylinder head). Its part 11 here on a 231bhp 330d - it is also similar on a 335d, but slightly different with a vent pipe. The newer 330d engine seems quite different. I recall they changed the design on the E46 from a spongey filter (which got blocked) to a venturi type solution (which may have been block proof). I assume the E9x is the later design, but perhaps they still get clogged eventually? Maybe not, I just don't know. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...34&hg=11&fg=15 (PS how do I make the link above appear embedded?)
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09-20-2009, 08:10 AM	#4
F31-340i Colonel 161 Rep 2,475 Posts Drives: BMW 340i Touring Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ... iTrader: (1)	...plus when I bought one for the E46, the part came with all the new little seals/gaskets etc. and it is really easy to change (noting the risk of dropping something right into the engine - be careful!).
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09-20-2009, 08:13 AM	#5
willhollin Major General 272 Rep 9,914 Posts Drives: VW T5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcestershire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 330d SE [10.00] 2010 Transporter T5 ... [0.00]	Think our best bet is to get Dr Dave to have a look and see if his is dirty first.
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09-20-2009, 08:16 AM	#6
F31-340i Colonel 161 Rep 2,475 Posts Drives: BMW 340i Touring Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ... iTrader: (1)	You can see it here - its the round object next to the filter at the back. Dr Daves looks quite blocked to me from here - probably robbing 20-30bhp - I think he needs to take another look.
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09-20-2009, 09:59 AM	#7
Dr Dave Zummerzet Zyder Drinker! 116 Rep 5,541 Posts Drives: '06 330D Le Mans Blue Join Date: May 2009 Location: Somerset iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 330d M Sport [0.00]	I'm right onto it guys, best get this done before I get me remap! Has anyone told Carlos about this potential power-sapping problem? The DXB could be performing below its true capacity! __________________
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09-21-2009, 01:11 AM	#9
Dr Dave Zummerzet Zyder Drinker! 116 Rep 5,541 Posts Drives: '06 330D Le Mans Blue Join Date: May 2009 Location: Somerset iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 330d M Sport [0.00]	No I don't think it was a service item but it is well known for clogging up and causing problems, usually excess crankcase pressure and oil smoke from the tailpipe. __________________
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09-21-2009, 03:27 PM	#10
F31-340i Colonel 161 Rep 2,475 Posts Drives: BMW 340i Touring Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ... iTrader: (1)	It wasn't originally a service item on the E46, but then became an Inspection II change item later on, probably due to the clogging experiences with the original sponge design. After the design was changed, I've no idea whether it stopped being a service item or not. It would be useful to find out.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-28-2009, 04:17 PM	#11
F31-340i Colonel 161 Rep 2,475 Posts Drives: BMW 340i Touring Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ... iTrader: (1)	Cotswold are selling them on ebay - sounds like they've hiked the price from the £30 they used to cost! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GENUINE-BMW-BR...d=p3286.c0.m14 I assume this is the new design - it looks identical to the one on the 231ps 330d, but note this part fit seems to stop at 2005, so perhaps not.
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09-28-2009, 04:27 PM	#12
Dr Dave Zummerzet Zyder Drinker! 116 Rep 5,541 Posts Drives: '06 330D Le Mans Blue Join Date: May 2009 Location: Somerset iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 330d M Sport [0.00]	http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-BMW-Oi...d=p3911.c0.m14 This looks like the later item. __________________
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09-28-2009, 05:13 PM	#14
F31-340i Colonel 161 Rep 2,475 Posts Drives: BMW 340i Touring Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ... iTrader: (1)	I'm going to ask my dealer to change this part when theyr do the air filter (of which more perhaps later), so I'll see if the old part was showing any signs of getting clogged or not at 60k miles.
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03-26-2010, 04:08 PM	#15
willhollin Major General 272 Rep 9,914 Posts Drives: VW T5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcestershire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 330d SE [10.00] 2010 Transporter T5 ... [0.00]	Did you ever get this changed James? __________________
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03-26-2010, 06:48 PM	#16
F31-340i Colonel 161 Rep 2,475 Posts Drives: BMW 340i Touring Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ... iTrader: (1)	No, I didn't. I did specifically ask about it - the dealer knew all about the history of breather problems on the E46, but said it was not an issue on the E9x engine due to the changed design. I wasn't 100% convinced but left it at that. I now wish I'd insisted on doing it anyway in retrospect, its such a cheap part and most of the labour is covered if they're already at the air filter. I'm not convinced the new design is unblockable - after big mileages I suspect anything is blockable with the gunk you can get in a smokey old diesel, even with gucci fully synthetic oil.
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