Oil Separator and Oil Filter Housing Gasket at the same time. Question!

I did them both together and it took me bout 10 hours spaced out between two days. It's so much easier with everything out the way replaced a couple vacuum lines also. Even tho I had the car raised my back was hurt for a couple days. This would also be the perfect time to clean your throttle body, icv and disa since your there.

Fan clutch nut I can't help with as I am six speed!

Lower intake boot=patience

Water pump pulley=gentle

Replace all four CVV hoses and you'll not have anything to worry about breaking.




+1 on: the perfect time to clean your throttle body, icv and disa since your there
But not much use to clean DISA. I just replaced it instead.

Trj, I just followed the oil filter housing gasket DIY till the end, then when I was there I started the Oil separator DIY. It seems like a lot is going on and can get overwhelming but if you just follow it step by step and you label the harnesses you disconnect it's not too bad. When you reassemble literally follow the DIY in reverse. And yeah the lower intake boot is a bitch to get off because the hose clamps are in a weird spot but it you just have patience you'll get it. Oh and expect to have a sore lower back as well as cuts on your fingers. The biggest thing is patience.

Originally Posted by NyC35AV

I did them both together and it took me bout 10 hours spaced out between two days. It's so much easier with everything out the way replaced a couple vacuum lines also. Even tho I had the car raised my back was hurt for a couple days. This would also be the perfect time to clean your throttle body, icv and disa since your there.

Originally Posted by Stinger9

Fan clutch nut I can't help with as I am six speed!

Lower intake boot=patience

Water pump pulley=gentle

Replace all four CVV hoses and you'll not have anything to worry about breaking.




+1 on: the perfect time to clean your throttle body, icv and disa since your there
But not much use to clean DISA. I just replaced it instead.

Yah, I am replacing all 4 hoses.
Water pump pulley I cracked once when I tried to hammer the fan clutch out. Now I have the proper fan clutch tool. So, I guess I should be good on that.

I have a new DISA gasket, throttle body gasket, new DISA bolts, OEM vacuum tubes and even extra clips for the fan shroud ready to go.
I guess I have covered all the bases for the required parts. Well I have to get some electrical parts cleaner and throttle body cleaner for the ICV and TB.

Originally Posted by Mctwist77

Trj, I just followed the oil filter housing gasket DIY till the end, then when I was there I started the Oil separator DIY. It seems like a lot is going on and can get overwhelming but if you just follow it step by step and you label the harnesses you disconnect it's not too bad. When you reassemble literally follow the DIY in reverse. And yeah the lower intake boot is a bitch to get off because the hose clamps are in a weird spot but it you just have patience you'll get it. Oh and expect to have a sore lower back as well as cuts on your fingers. The biggest thing is patience.

Patience is what I lack. I guess I have to give it a try though.

I am going to cut and remove the lower intake boots, and probably cut the stupid clamps and replace the with generic ones. I tried to remove them once and the nuts are all the way back, not even visible.


I guess its going to be a full weekend project next weekend. I'd like to complete it in a day though, dont want to extend it for two days. I dont have a garage and would not want to keep the stuff disassembled overnight.

How long did it take for you?

Took me about 4 hours but I didnt run into too much trouble so it went quick.

I would replace the VANOS oil line and washers while you have the oil filter housing out. And make sure you remember how the hoses are arranged before you take them apart..specifically the VANOS oil line hose and the hose that connects to the front of the valve cover from the oil separator.

Feel free to PM any questions if you get stuck anywhere. I'll do my best to help you out.

Good luck!

oil filter housing gasket is a weird job......the part (the gasket) is so cheap, but to install it will take around 4 hours, and the labor is expensive if your not doing it yourself.......it really is somewhat of a royal p.i.t.a. But, it will save you about 6-800 in labor. enjoy.

Originally Posted by Neasy323

oil filter housing gasket is a weird job......the part (the gasket) is so cheap, but to install it will take around 4 hours, and the labor is expensive if your not doing it yourself.......it really is somewhat of a royal p.i.t.a. But, it will save you about 6-800 in labor. enjoy.

How does 4 hours of labor for a six dollar part result in more than 4 X $100/hr = $400?

Originally Posted by Neasy323

oil filter housing gasket is a weird job......the part (the gasket) is so cheap, but to install it will take around 4 hours, and the labor is expensive if your not doing it yourself.......it really is somewhat of a royal p.i.t.a. But, it will save you about 6-800 in labor. enjoy.

Oil filter housing is an easy job and will not take four hours. Maybe two and a half for the novice

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Is 2 1/2 hours really an easy job? I'm only asking because so many people are quoting 4-5 hours. Mine starting leaking so I'm debating on doing it myself.

Time is not the only measure of easy or difficult.

Addition: I believe this job can go either way and the space being tight is not the problem. Just like so many other things on the e46, layers of things should be removed before you get to the actual parts to be replaced.
Sometimes the alternator binds in the bracket and is tough to remove. Other times it just comes out and the job is easier.
Do remember to disconnect the battery ground terminal in the trunk before working on the alternator.
Do remember to note the locator of each and every one of the six OFH bolts as they are each unique.
Careful tightening the bolts back as many have stripped the block threads.

Consider using sealant on the new gasket as it goes in.

I agree with that. Many of the threads say the job is a "PITA" or it's a really tight spot to work. That makes me think unless I have the small hands of a 15 year old, it's not going to be pretty. Maybe I'll give it a shot this weekend. Thx.

hi guys am doing OFHG,VCG and oil separater, and I want to check my disa , where can I find disa gasket in case disa valve looks ok

I'd not look for another gasket because it is a complicated one piece gasket molded to the DISA. I'd just bite the bullet and do a new DISA. (as a matter of fact I just did that myself. Expensive, but........)
That said, there is a gasket on Amazon that some have said they successfully used to seal the DISA

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...sc_sfl_title_5

Search for DIY's on this replacement to see what others say.

I know its expensive I got 185,000 miles on and I got feeling it would be broken, thanks for link

Originally Posted by curca

hi guys am doing OFHG,VCG and oil separater, and I want to check my disa , where can I find disa gasket in case disa valve looks ok

oringsandmore is where I got my DISA gasket.

look for a member jfoj, he has a thread where the correct size of the DISA gasket is mentioned.
I havent tried this job yet, so havent used the DISA gasket. I have 5 gaskets ordered though. I think there was a minimum of 5 to purchase. Spent $5, so it was not an issue.

That O-ring site rocks!
Although it does give some insight into how cheap Beisan gets their viton O-rings. Means cheap.
However don't get any ideas because you'll not source the inner support ring so easy.
Which size would fit the vanos? http://www.oringsandmore.com/servlet...ngs/Categories

Gotta go to Beisan after all!
And you get all those instructions and great hand-holding support.

I dont get why set of 4 o rings cost more then $50!!!! just does not make any sense. I am aircraft mechanic and we get military grade o rings for less than a buck each! does anybody know oring sizes?

Originally Posted by curca

I dont get why set of 4 o rings cost more then $50!!!! just does not make any sense. I am aircraft mechanic and we get military grade o rings for less than a buck each! does anybody know oring sizes?

Have to get O-ring size, but then teflon support rings too.
Now you have a project!

I can knock out a CCV and OFHG in ~4-5 hours. If I do the CCV, I always recommend the OFHG at the minimum. Saves the customer a bit on labor and also knocks out a problem area.

However, I also work on these things for a living. So I have gotten pretty good at the routine of it.

Always admire the knowledge of someone who is as familiar with e46 as you are.

Then again, not sure I'd want to be removing air box and rain tray as many times in a week as you must do.