69gaugeman

For anyone who likes redneck repairs I have one for you.

The PCV valve is the large black cylindrical thing on the left side valve cover. There is a diaphragm under the cover that breaks and allows a vacuum leak and also oil to be sucked into the intake on start up occasionally.

The top cover can be removed by carefully lifting the tabs over the nubs on the cover.

There is a replacement available for around 50$ from some guy in Russia. I haven't ordered one yet, but will likely at some point.

What I did was to take plastic food wrap and place 4 layers over the existing rubber diaphragm then slide the cover back onto the valve cover. This has been working for over 2 weeks with no more check engine codes for lean fuel trim max faults. Also no more puffs of smoke at random start ups.

No pictures cause IB doesn't like free content.

hahnmgh63

I bought one of those replacements and it looks like a good quality copy but mine looked fine when I removed it so I just put it in the toolbox for the future. Even at $50 it is still overpriced for a piece of Silicone rubber but better than Porsche's stupid idea of selling you a whole valve cover to get it. I guess the piece is identical to one that BMW uses. Don't think Bimmer sells it separately either from what I heard on here a few months back.

69gaugeman

The one for the 2001 Audi 4.2 is exactly the same diameter on the cover. They can be had for 25$. I am going to get one and pull it apart and see if it will fit.

timwu12

can you post the part number when you get a chance?

and are you referring to the 955 or 957 cayennes?

69gaugeman

04 turbo.

This is the valve I am going to order:

PVC VALVE

The diameter of the head matches to the Cayenne. We will see.

Villian

How about using a can gripper silicone thing...

Just an idea

69gaugeman

The only problem with that is there is a moulded valve seal in the diaphragm. Not sure if it could be made to work.

69gaugeman

Update:

last weekend I had to replace the saran wrap as it hardened and broke from temp and oil. I now am running a rubber glove piece I cut from a glove I had lying around.

Take the top off the valve where you will see the orange diaphragm. cut the glove so that it is larger than the cover buy a couple of cm's (about an inch) . Lay the sheet of rubber over the valve and snap the cover back on. Use a razor to trim off the excess. Done!

Will report back on how long version 2 lasts. Sourcing some thin silicone sheet for version 3.

69gaugeman

Knowing what I know now, this might actually work. Just leave the existing diaphragm in place and put this over top. If it is too thick you will need to find a way to accurately cut it to fit into the lid. It must seal around the edge so that it sucks the valve down when actuated.

J'sWorld

http://vanos-bmw.com/membrane-948105...enne-45l-450ps

69gaugeman

Yup. some have used that too. I enjoy finding less expensive solutions and sharing. It takes all of 10 minutes to replace now that I've done it a couple of times. When I get a solution that lasts more than a couple of years at almost no cost, I'm ok with that. Certainly the russian one looks just fine too.

Villian

If cheap fixes are in order, then why not just ditch the OEM plastic cover, run a thicker silicone piece (Like the jar gripper) and hold it in place with a worm clamp instead of the OEM plastic cover? Just a thought. .25c for a stainless steel worm clamp, $5 for a heavy duty can gripper

69gaugeman

Because it will see boost as well. I'm not sure that the silicone would survive pressurisation.

wrinkledpants

I would use a jimmy fix on something expensive where I'm saving hundreds. But, you can buy that factory part for cheap from that link. No idea why one wouldn't go that route.

Dilberto

Jimi used Shoe Goo to fix a BMW AOS. Done...