[The Nightman]

Originally Posted by Reiver

Is that an N53?


I have a 330 with the N53 and I want to put a catch can on. All the information I can find is about the N54.

I know the PCV is built into the cam cover on the N53.

You can still use a catch can on the N53. It'll be easier too since there is no PS reservoir. Here are some examples:

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...81&postcount=3
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...50&postcount=3

[Reiver]

It was the PCV connections I was wondering about as I've read the PCV is 'built-in' to the cam cover. If there are external pipes then that's ok.

Guess I'll have to remove the plastic cover for a look-see.

[The Nightman]

Originally Posted by Reiver

It was the PCV connections I was wondering about as I've read the PCV is 'built-in' to the cam cover. If there are external pipes then that's ok.

Guess I'll have to remove the plastic cover for a look-see.

It shouldn't be any different from an N52 with the plastic valve cover. The PCV valve is in the valve cover but the hosing to the intake manifold is the same.

[Reiver]

Originally Posted by freedomfries

It shouldn't be any different from an N52 with the plastic valve cover. The PCV valve is in the valve cover but the hosing to the intake manifold is the same.

Thanks for the info.

I had the walnur decoke about 12k miles ago so I think keeping the intake oil free would be a good thing.

I see you can get intake cleaners from the likes of Euro Car Parts these days.

Dunno how effective they are thought

[bluewater328]

Originally Posted by Reiver

Thanks for the info.

I had the walnur decoke about 12k miles ago so I think keeping the intake oil free would be a good thing.

I see you can get intake cleaners from the likes of Euro Car Parts these days.

Dunno how effective they are thought

It's really not necessary for the N52 because its not direct injection. So using something like a fuel system cleaner (where you dump it in the fuel tank - ie techron, et al) is gonna be more than enough. Even when the N52 valves get "dirty" they're not even a 1/4 as bad as a typical N54 that actually needs the walnut blasting. While oil does pass into the intake manifold, its usually not significant enough to cause a problem unless you leave the car without ever starting for months.

[Reiver]

You used to be able to get water injection kits to help cool the intake charge on turbos. I wonder if something like that, maybe with some sort of additive would help keep the inlet ports clean?

[The Nightman]

Originally Posted by freedomfries

I checked the catch can after 200km and it was empty. The inlet and outlet hoses were also dry. The baffles had a little bit of oil residue on them. I noticed the hoses were no longer snug on the catch can barbs so I used hose clamps - not sure if this potential vacuum leak affected anything.

Accessing and removing the catch can requires removal of the cabin filter cowl. Not a big deal as it only takes a few minutes to do. Opening the can is more difficult as it gets very tight and the can offers little to no grip.

I'll update again next time I check the catch can.

I've driven 500km of short city trips since installing the catch can and there was approximately a tablespoon of water in it.

[jaysone90]

Originally Posted by The Nightman

I've driven 500km of short city trips since installing the catch can and there was approximately a tablespoon of water in it.

Thank you for your post. Can you tell me what you did to the connection to the oil return?

[jaysone90]

Originally Posted by The Nightman

I connected the 3/4" hose to the factory plastic T barb:

Hey Nightman, post is old I was hoping you would respond I appreciate you brother. I was actually thinking of removing the whole crankcake and connecting straight to the valve cover and then connecting straight to the intake manifold connection. Then "capping" the oil return pipe so that nothing gets in the oil pan.

Or, finding a way to split the hose using some kind of copper adapter with two fittings so that there are two hoses split, one going to intake manifold and another one to the oil return pipe.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

[The Nightman]

Sorry, didn't realize you had a 330i with the different PCV set up. I can't comment on the oil return as it's not applicable on my N52

[jadams161]

Old thread but very relevant. I just bought the same can to install on my 2011 328i N51. Doing the same routing, good pics! I can't stand the oil in the intake and the constant slight odor of oil burning after turning it off. Keeping the oil off the DISA valves will help with life...

[The Nightman]

Any opinions on which side the baffles should be on? Inlet vs outlet

[jadams161]

I got this one off eBay. Shows the directions of flow in one of the pictures.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Billet-Alum...-127632-2357-0

[jaysone90]

Originally Posted by The Nightman

Sorry, didn't realize you had a 330i with the different PCV set up. I can't comment on the oil return as it's not applicable on my N52

Is ok brother ty anyways. I have a 3 state intake manifold so it appears to be the same if not similar. The crankcase has an in from valve cover an oil return hose to the pan and a connection to the intake.

[s5s]

I was about to install a catch can on 330i but I came across this video which seems to suggest you shouldn't:

[The Nightman]

Originally Posted by jadams161

I got this one off eBay. Shows the directions of flow in one of the pictures.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Billet-Alum...-127632-2357-0

Interesting. If their photos are accurate, it looks like the baffles are on the inlet side?

I doublechecked BMS' photos and instructions and they have the baffles on the outlet:

"This hose then goes into the “IN” fitting on the catch can. (the side without the baffles)"

https://www.jb4tuned.com/instruction...l-Guide-V2.pdf

Bottom port labeled "out":


Baffle on the "out" port:

[WheelNut2]

Originally Posted by s5s

I was about to install a catch can on 330i but I came across this video which seems to suggest you shouldn't...

This video is about the M54, which is a completely different engine than the N51/2/3. The CCV systems are different (as are pretty much all other parts).

Question for the OP: Why add a catch can to the N52? Is this to circumvent having to replace the valve cover? Does the OEM setup (when functioning correctly) not do the same thing, but without the need to constantly empty and drain the can? If I'm not mistaken the stock CCV system is basically a (heated) catch can with a drain pipe to the oil pan?

[The Nightman]

Originally Posted by WheelNut2

Question for the OP: Why add a catch can to the N52? Is this to circumvent having to replace the valve cover? Does the OEM setup (when functioning correctly) not do the same thing, but without the need to constantly empty and drain the can? If I'm not mistaken the stock CCV system is basically a (heated) catch can with a drain pipe to the oil pan?

That's my assumption. It's possible my CCV system wasn't working properly before I bought the car at 100k km. The valve cover was replaced just prior to my ownership and when I removed my stock intake manifold at 120k km, there was a lot of oil in it:

Originally Posted by The Nightman

I wanted to reduce the amount of oil in the intake manifold and hopefully extend the life of the DISA valves. My stock manifold had a lot of oil in it when I removed it at 120k km and the motors in the used DISA valves I purchased had failed due to excess oil ingress.

The oil catch can is collecting moisture and some oil but I haven't driven the car enough to come to any conclusions.

[gT-BMW]

Got the same catch can. Did not help with the smokey issue. Caught stuff tho

[jadams161]

That can is working, that little bit of oil collected helps save the DISA valves on an N51...and saves the N52 ingesting oil.

[jaysone90]

https://www.amazon.com/EVIL-ENERGY-R...2&sr=8-10&th=1

I would recommend you guys install this in the intake hose

[jaysone90]

if you guys are taking the whole intake which i recommend make sure you check your disa valves and test them with inpa. Your intake should have no oil or little oil at all. Let your intake drain the oil there is no neeed to clean it there should be no build up in there. The crankcase system is trash. the source of most idling issues.