S55 PCV 'SQUEAL' - Easy Fix (so you don't have to replace the entire valve cover)

[slaughter.mode]

Just an update. I had a friend with the same issue, he replied to one of my IG stories and asked if I could check his out. He does not have an account here or I'd tag him but I did the same fix and voila, issue fixed. He has been driving for months with the squeal (LOL). I told him he might want to check his RMS but he isn't worried about it. Funny guy, he said he thought it was a belt and whatever it's just a belt. LOL.

+2 for validating this repair method works.

[Global-F10]

Originally Posted by nv_f82

Just an update. I had a friend with the same issue, he replied to one of my IG stories and asked if I could check his out. He does not have an account here or I'd tag him but I did the same fix and voila, issue fixed. He has been driving for months with the squeal (LOL). I told him he might want to check his RMS but he isn't worried about it. Funny guy, he said he thought it was a belt and whatever it's just a belt. LOL.

+2 for validating this repair method works.

Nice work. Great thought process/ trial and error.
This could possibly work on the n55 also, right?

[slaughter.mode]

Originally Posted by Global-F10

This could possibly work on the n55 also, right?

Definitely would work for that engine as well. The PCV repair kit I'm using is marked as for the N55 so no reason it wouldn't. They all have the same mechanical design (more or less).

[Durrkey]

Just did this today and still squealing like crazy. Stumped!

[slaughter.mode]

Originally Posted by Durrkey

Just did this today and still squealing like crazy. Stumped!

Did which part?

[Durrkey]

Originally Posted by f82.959

Did which part?

Gutted PCV replacement with the four 1/16 holes drilled. Stops when I take off the oil cap but has a lot of suction.

[slaughter.mode]

Originally Posted by Durrkey

Gutted PCV replacement with the four 1/16 holes drilled. Stops when I take off the oil cap but has a lot of suction.

Hmm. What happens if you take it off entirely? The PCV cap.

[Durrkey]

Originally Posted by f82.959

Hmm. What happens if you take it off entirely? The PCV cap.

I’ll have to try that next and let you know. That thing is on pretty good now.

[slaughter.mode]

Originally Posted by Durrkey

I’ll have to try that next and let you know. That thing is on pretty good now.

During my trial and error I didn't seal the cap on out of curiosity. Let me know what happens. It's a PITA to hook up everything and test it out but it's worth the savings $.

[Durrkey]

I didn’t seal it either. Cap on, howls, pull it off and get a lot of vacuum, then it stops.

[Durrkey]

Ok, increased the size of the four drilled holes to the next bit size up and the problem has stopped. This should hold me over until I can get a new valve cover installed and not drive me insane from the squeal!

[slaughter.mode]

Interesting, so your issue is that vacuum was creating a howl? Mine was the opposite, the lack of being able to vent properly caused the howl. It was LOUD.

[Durrkey]

Originally Posted by f82.959

Interesting, so your issue is that vacuum was creating a howl? Mine was the opposite, the lack of being able to vent properly caused the howl. It was LOUD.

Yes, a lot of vacuum in the valve cover.

[slaughter.mode]

Originally Posted by Durrkey

Yes, a lot of vacuum in the valve cover.

Did you inspect the PCV 'flap' or 'membrane' whatever it's called? My issue is was it was ripped and thus wouldn't 'open' to properly vent.

[Ropes]

You all need to stop posting about engine issues. In the past two weeks I had to replace the top mount intercooler and today my PCV started screeching. I have found one perk to living in Cali and that is that the emission warranty is helpful. The top mount went at 69500 on the 70k warranty and at 69700 the PCV is going. Turns out that item has an 80k warranty.

[slaughter.mode]

Originally Posted by Ropes

You all need to stop posting about engine issues. In the past two weeks I had to replace the top mount intercooler and today my PCV started screeching. I have found one perk to living in Cali and that is that the emission warranty is helpful. The top mount went at 69500 on the 70k warranty and at 69700 the PCV is going. Turns out that item has an 80k warranty.

LOL. Yeah I'm in the 95K mileage realm, nothing is free anymore.

[Ropes]

Other than the top mount and now PCV the car has been quite reliable.

[slaughter.mode]

Originally Posted by Ropes

Other than the top mount and now PCV the car has been quite reliable.

Couldn't agree more. Probably the most reliable M I've owned. I really didn't want to change my top mount either but I had this aesthetic itch and got it for a great price.

[Durrkey]

Originally Posted by f82.959

Did you inspect the PCV 'flap' or 'membrane' whatever it's called? My issue is was it was ripped and thus wouldn't 'open' to properly vent.

I did, it was torn and brittle. At 88k on the odometer. Going to end up ordering a new valve cover and hose and just replace it all.

Speaking of maintaining BMWs, doing this (and likely the valve cover) should be a breeze compared to the VANOS maintenance I had to perform on my old E46 M3. Got a whole new appreciation for the engineering that went into that.

[Ropes]

Well got my car back from BMW the other day and it was the PCV so I got a new valve cover. I was covered under the 7/70 emissions warranty with 150 miles left 😂.

[slaughter.mode]

Originally Posted by Ropes

Well got my car back from BMW the other day and it was the PCV so I got a new valve cover. I was covered under the 7/70 emissions warranty with 150 miles left 😂.

Nice

[Bobdubich]

Thank you F82 for all your hard work and sharing! I'm about to try it this weekend, I've watched several videos to replace the whole Valve cover. Is there anything I can leave on or any shortcuts to get to the PCV Valve? Basically what do I need to remove (minimum) to get access to it?