E39 M5 Oil Separator Install to ESS TS2 M54

After going through some oil vapor disposals from my oil catch can, I decided to follow a modification inspired by MrPaddleShift's site/posts. The objective of this mod, is to utilize a Purolator PCV (one way valve) and the E39 M5 oil separator, to drain oil back to the dipstick. The oil vapor return is blocked during ESS TS installs.

OEM E39 M5 Oil Separator, Part number: 11151406788


Purolator PCV Valve


OEM Dipstick showing the return tube that will be connected.


Does anyone see any issues proceeding with this mod?

I would be interested in the difference between catching oil or just letting it burn. Why is catching/returning better?

The original setup, just routes all oil vapors to the intake. This creates some issues in my opinion; the laminova cores getting dirty and less efficient by the time, oil burnt so need to top-up, and whatever side effects has the burnt oil in the combustion chamber, catalysts and valve seats.

The first solution (that I currently use) is the traditional in-line catch tank which does a good job catching most of the oil vapors but this does not solve the oil consumption problem and also adds the task of having to check/empty the tank every once and while.

The proposed solution, is to put the oil separator before the oil catch tank to eliminate all problems mentioned above. I will not delete the catch can until I see that the oil separator works. In theory, the catch tank should be empty after the install.

Are you installing the one way valve on the return line back to the oil pan? The pan needs to vent off crankcase pressure, which means oil has to drain back to it and gases need to come out. Not seeing where the check valve comes into place.

Yes, the valve is going to the return line back to the oil pan, to prevent oil being sucked back. Currently the return line is blocked, so I don't think there's an issue with the oil in the pan needing to vent off?

Originally Posted by paraklas

Yes, the valve is going to the return line back to the oil pan, to prevent oil being sucked back. Currently the return line is blocked, so I don't think there's an issue with the oil in the pan needing to vent off?

The crankcase builds pressure, you cannot just block it off. Oil isn't going to go back up the line.

It has been blocked for the past 6 years, with the ESS s/c installed..

Here's what's in my mind (the valve may not be mandatory in the end):


OEM M5 Configuration:

Paraklas, what is there to prevent your supercharger from pressurizing your crankcase? Is that what the "ESS intake valve" is there to do?

Personally, I would skip the Purolator valve addition. Using it simply as a check valve for the oil drain return probably won't work very well, since there won't be a sufficient pressure differential to open it, and the spring will just hold it closed.

Originally Posted by braymond141

Are you installing the one way valve on the return line back to the oil pan? The pan needs to vent off crankcase pressure, which means oil has to drain back to it and gases need to come out. Not seeing where the check valve comes into place.

Originally Posted by braymond141

The crankcase builds pressure, you cannot just block it off. Oil isn't going to go back up the line.

The head and the crankcase are connected by oil drain passageways, so no need to vent pressure from both, and paraklas's setup still vents crankcase gas from the head.

Originally Posted by mkodama

Paraklas, what is there to prevent your supercharger from pressurizing your crankcase? Is that what the "ESS intake valve" is there to do?

This:

Personally, I would skip the Purolator valve addition. Using it simply as a check valve for the oil drain return probably won't work very well, since there won't be a sufficient pressure differential to open it, and the spring will just hold it closed.

The head and the crankcase are connected by oil drain passageways, so no need to vent pressure from both, and paraklas's setup still vents crankcase gas from the head.

The valve is gravity operated, no spring inside. If not necessary, I will delete it, no chance of "sucking" up oil through the dipstick tube?

Originally Posted by mkodama

The head and the crankcase are connected by oil drain passageways, so no need to vent pressure from both, and paraklas's setup still vents crankcase gas from the head.

I run into crankcase pressurization under boost unless the dipstick drain is vented (either by Oil Separator or to atmosphere). I'm not saying it won't work, but it's better to just let it drain, and also vent, without a check valve... it's not necessary.

I run the E39 M5 separator too. Bottom drain on it is just directly connected to the dipstick tube drain, no check valves or issues.

Originally Posted by paraklas

The valve is gravity operated, no spring inside. If not necessary, I will delete it, no chance of "sucking" up oil through the dipstick tube?

If the crankcase gets pressurized you will start pushing oil out. This is exactly why I no longer cap mine and let it vent through the oil separator.

Great! Thanks! Now I just need to find some space to put the oil separator, there's literally no room left