bmw crankcase breather

garrytd4 · Nov 26, 2011

does anyone know the part number for the upgraded bmw m47 crankcase breather mod.

i'll be happy to settle for lr part if it makes to difference in performace/economy/price etc.

ive read in other posts (or i may be mis reading) that there are two parts to it and that if your going for the bmw one then both parts are required and if you stick with the lr part you just need the filter bit.

could anyone shed some light?

Singvogel · Nov 26, 2011

Hi Gary,

Right - there is some unnecessary confusion among some people here.

LR do not sell the modified part - only the old style cotton element.

BMW can sell you a cover along with the cyclone part for just over £60
or
BMW can sell you the new cyclone part on its own for £23.35

The cover part which is not available on its own is EXACTLY the same as the part you have in your TD4.

I know for 100% because I have held them both in front of me and compared the part Nrs of the cover. The BMW parts guy just smiled and said "Yes they are the same."

So, unless you have a damaged cover......all you need is the cyclone bit.

Part Nr BMW 11 12 7 799 367 ............ On the box it's called an 'oil separator'

Fit it and forget it.

The little plastic retainer / catch bit that holds in the old cotton filter is not required.

If you want to spend an extra £36 well that's up to you.

The LR sanitary towel effort is cheaper than £23.35 (I think) but the BMW part will last forever.
It might get dirty and need a rinse in petrol perhaps, after 100K or so but it will never clog up completely.

jedi · Nov 26, 2011

Yep you just need the new modified Vortex/Cyclone part....fit it and forget about it.

Litch · Nov 26, 2011

Replaces the filter but I believe the valve still needs checking from time to time.

Personally I have stuck with the replacable filter.
They come in the service kit so there is no cost implication and when replaced at the same time as the air-filter it takes only a few minutes. In addition it doesn't get clogged when replaced annually, it was only while the main-dealer was doing the servicing that it never got done (not on the service schedule back then) but since then it is much cleaner and no staining of the intercooer pipes has occured since.

nickcc · Nov 27, 2011

Just a couple of points, the new BMW inserts groove on later TD4's sometimes has to be modified,obvious as it doesn't fit into the original housing, also BMW recommend that the new vortex insert is renewed after three services (can't see why but there you go)

jedi · Nov 27, 2011

nickcc said:
also BMW recommend that the new vortex insert is renewed after three services (can't see why but there you go)

They`ve done themselves out of pocket again maybe? No breather related problem to charge the customer for?

nickcc · Nov 27, 2011

jedi said:
They`ve done themselves out of pocket again maybe? No breather related problem to charge the customer for?

Thought Robin Hood had died many years ago (if of course he ever lived) but pleased to see he still lives on

Singvogel · Nov 27, 2011

nickcc said:
Just a couple of points, the new BMW inserts groove on later TD4's sometimes has to be modified,obvious as it doesn't fit into the original housing, also BMW recommend that the new vortex insert is renewed after three services (can't see why but there you go)

I didn't find any problem with it fitting my Sept 2004 TD4.

BMW charge their customers £60 plus labour time every 3rd service as they fit the whole assembly - filter and cover - so they maybe haven't done themselves out of pocket after all.

I can see no reason at all for renewing the cover.

Wash it out maybe - but at ONLY £60 - why bother - it's probably cheaper than the BMW labour costs to clean it.

nickcc · Nov 28, 2011

Singvogel said:
I didn't find any problem with it fitting my Sept 2004 TD4.

BMW charge their customers £60 plus labour time every 3rd service as they fit the whole assembly - filter and cover - so they maybe haven't done themselves out of pocket after all.

I can see no reason at all for renewing the cover.

Wash it out maybe - but at ONLY £60 - why bother - it's probably cheaper than the BMW labour costs to clean it.

The groove in the new insert did not match up with the raised part of the body on my October 2005 car and a new groove had to be made as it was impossible to push the new insert into place.

Singvogel · Nov 28, 2011

nickcc said:
The groove in the new insert did not match up with the raised part of the body on my October 2005 car and a new groove had to be made as it was impossible to push the new insert into place.

You've puzzled me Nick.

The new vortex / cyclone part is just dropped onto the 'O' ring in the bottom of the recessed housing on the car. The original top cover then fits easily on top.

I didn't have to push anything into place, apart from check that the cyclone bit was well seated on the 'O' ring.

I am 100% sure that the old cover and the new cover are the same part - the numbers cast into the plastic are the same. Even the slot for the catch bit that is no longer needed is still there - carried over from the original - it has not been modified at all.

Anyway most of us have now got the new cyclone bit in place and it's one less thing to worry about.

I might take it off after another 90K miles and give it a rinse.

nickcc · Nov 28, 2011

The thin plastic horizontal part of the new insert has a groove on the right hand side (looking from front of engine) which locates in the raised part of the original housing, the groove was about 1/2" out of line with the housing. Only a minutes job to file a new groove which then allows the insert to push down onto the O ring, there are posts on other threads from other members highlighting this problem.

freelander2002 · Nov 28, 2011

I'll second that singvogel, I just replaced the filter with the new cyclone part. Easy swap and fitted perfectly.

nickcc · Nov 28, 2011

freelander2002 said:
I'll second that singvogel, I just replaced the filter with the new cyclone part. Easy swap and fitted perfectly.

Like I stated in my previous post some fit and some don't, I would hate to see other members with the same problem I had (and other members on previous threads) trying to force the new insert when all they have to do is file a new groove.

Singvogel · Nov 28, 2011

nickcc said:
Like I stated in my previous post some fit and some don't, I would hate to see other members with the same problem I had (and other members on previous threads) trying to force the new insert when all they have to do is file a new groove.

Hi Nick, - That's excellent that you have alerted us to this anomaly.

As you say - seems that some fit easily and others need a few minutes with a file.

That's why I like this forum - you find out all sorts of strange stuff from helpful people all over the country and other countries too.

Ian jones · Nov 28, 2011

nickcc said:
Just a couple of points, the new BMW inserts groove on later TD4's sometimes has to be modified,obvious as it doesn't fit into the original housing, also BMW recommend that the new vortex insert is renewed after three services (can't see why but there you go)

Hi i had to modify mine to fit, by making another groove in it !

nickcc · Nov 28, 2011

Hello Singvogel

Unfortunately some people believe that knowledge = power and are not prepared to share, they are more than happy to pick the brains of others but offer little in return. I found this to be the case with some fellow mechanics/technicians over the years even when you worked for the same company, I honestly believe that sharing your knowledge, hopefully when you know what you're talking about, is the right thing to do.

nickcc · Nov 28, 2011

Ian jones said:
Hi i had to modify mine to fit, by making another groove in it !

Thanks Ian, looks like it could be an age related thing as yours is the same age as mine.

Singvogel · Nov 28, 2011

nickcc said:
Hello Singvogel

Unfortunately some people believe that knowledge = power and are not prepared to share, they are more than happy to pick the brains of others but offer little in return. I found this to be the case with some fellow mechanics/technicians over the years even when you worked for the same company, I honestly believe that sharing your knowledge, hopefully when you know what you're talking about, is the right thing to do.

Truer words were never spoken - or posted!

garrytd4 · Nov 28, 2011

i'll guess i'll go for the vortex one from bmw, although i cant seem to find it anywhere on the net unless i get the cover with it but i dont need that.
i would like to get it from net as i may find it a bit cheaper than what bmw charge for it.
anyone know where i can just get just the element from.
ps. it will be fitted to a Dec 2000 TD4 so whatever modification i do need to make i will and will keep you posted, hopefully i wont need todo any.

nickcc · Nov 28, 2011

garrytd4 said:
i'll guess i'll go for the vortex one from bmw, although i cant seem to find it anywhere on the net unless i get the cover with it but i dont need that.
i would like to get it from net as i may find it a bit cheaper than what bmw charge for it.
anyone know where i can just get just the element from.
ps. it will be fitted to a Dec 2000 TD4 so whatever modification i do need to make i will and will keep you posted, hopefully i wont need todo any.

Occasionally on ebay but most people buy from BMW at around £24, the dealers usually know what you are looking for if you say it's for the L/R TD4 engine.

bmw crankcase breather

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