Hello there. I have BMWs ('82 733, '85&'86 535is, '89 325conv, '92 m3. '95 325conv, '95&'97 740il, and I can probably help with most questions (I've been working on them myself for the past 15 years). Ron came up here to Vegas on his way to California a few weeks ago (OK, maybe more than a month ago. I'm in the process of moving up to Detroit and way the hell busy.) We did the groove on my 97 740il. I actually have been fixing all the problems on it to make the 2000+ mile drive which is why I haven't got the time to post. It's a little 4:30am and I'm forcing myself to post before I dismantle the instrument cluster to fix the pixel problem.
OK, now. Yes, JB quik needed to be used. AND.. I found out.. Do the light test in a dark room. There was 2 holes around the spring housing that weren't caught the first time. And might as well as get the $13 gasket, the way the edges of the gasket fit in their grooves doesn't make such a tight fit after it's taken apart.
As for the PVC valve. It's on the rear of the intake, approximately 5"X7" black case. There's a vacuum line coming from the fuel pressure regulator (pass. side). On my 97, a vacuum line goes to a check valve before the brake booster, because at the check valve,it also goes to the front of the intake to a "oil separator ??". On my 95, the PVC valve has a cap where this hose is.
There is also a ~1" aluminum pipe connected to the 'under-inside-that you cant see, opposite of the orange grommet, driver's side' of the PVC valve, going under the intake to the front vacuum line that is under the throttle body.
I am having idling problems after it warms up (2min) though. By dis-connecting one of the brake booster vacuum lines it goes away and smooths out. I've been trying all sorts of things (choking off the 1" bypass hoses on either side of the 'T' before the Idle control valve, covering the MAF sensor, loosening the oil dipstick)
You need to know that BMWs have a different internal vacuum system then most other engines. The engine is meant to be sealed. I'm still researching it and getting ready to call Ron for ideas.
I suggest E38.org, bimmerfest.com, and also the Bimmerforums. My '95 has the M60 4.0l, which should be the same that's in yours, My '97 has the M62 4.4l. almost totally interchangeable
Also, check this link. towards the bottom there pictures and diagrams of the components that will tell what is what. It also explains the vacuum pressure difference that I mentioned above.
How to test the BMW E39 pressure-controlled crankcase ventilation system (CCV)? | BimmerFest BMW Forum
Alright, now I'm just going to sleep, brain is fuzzy. If you have any questions or whatever, email me at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I'll give you my phone number, otherwise it's good to have more discussion on this board.
Hope this helps..
HP
