N26 Valve Cover to Intake vacuum hose

JessesBimmer · 08-18-2020, 07:48 PM

Guys please help me.. fairly new to the bimmerpost community.
have everywhere for more info.
my car is a 2014 bmw 328i xdrive n26 but production date is 08/2013.
My problem is my mechanic broke the nozzle on the valve cover (only the n26 has this nozzle) that goes into another nozzle on the air intake.

What im trying to figure out is if i have to replace the whole valve cover or is there a way to only replace that piece somehow?
pics below for reference!

JessesBimmer · 08-19-2020, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JessesBimmer

Guys please help me.. fairly new to the bimmerpost community.
have everywhere for more info.
my car is a 2014 bmw 328i xdrive n26 but production date is 08/2013.
My problem is my mechanic broke the nozzle on the valve cover (only the n26 has this nozzle) that goes into another nozzle on the air intake.

What im trying to figure out is if i have to replace the whole valve cover or is there a way to only replace that piece somehow?
pics below for reference!

bump

JessesBimmer · 08-19-2020, 11:26 AM

bump

Billfitz · 08-19-2020, 11:49 AM

Look it up at http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/

JessesBimmer · 08-19-2020, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Look it up at http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/

hey man, thanks for the reference link but i've checked it out, doesn't give me much information tbh.
everything seems to lead to me having to change the entire valve cover but i posted the question to see if there was hopefully another alternative, pretty expensive job and all.

Billfitz · 08-19-2020, 12:20 PM

I'd find a way to fix it, probably gluing a brass or stainless steel tube into the hole, then using rubber tubing to complete the connection to the air intake.

JessesBimmer · 08-19-2020, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I'd find a way to fix it, probably gluing a brass or stainless steel tube into the hole, then using rubber tubing to complete the connection to the air intake.

yeah i'll have to ask and see who can do some sort of fitting for me there, hopefully i can do that instead.. not sure what effects it can have if i left it as is. been like that for 3 weeks of driving and no cel or anything else so we'll see. thank you!

viper7180 · 08-24-2020, 10:08 PM

I broke a similar fitting on the air box. I ended up getting a pack a vacuum line male to male adapters from the local auto parts store. It did require that fitting, on my air box (your valve cover) to be drilled out slightly. I then used an epoxy to set the adapter in place. I wasn't going to source a replacement air box when I could repair the fitting for $5.

Although when drilling slowly, the plastic can be removed by the action of the drill bit. I would advise against any drilling with that valve cover on. Don't want to mistakenly get plastic inside the valve cover.

RMachuca3d · 08-25-2020, 02:02 AM

Whyt hasnt the mechanic offered to replace the valve cover? He broke it.

Billfitz · 08-25-2020, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by viper7180

I would advise against any drilling with that valve cover on. Don't want to mistakenly get plastic inside the valve cover.

+1, but then the gasket would have to be replaced. That's why I'd use a metal tube that wouldn't require drilling out the hole.

ScottSmith · 09-02-2020, 11:01 AM

I believe that line provides ambient air pressure reference to the PCV system so it can provide the appropriate vacuum to the crankcrase (by either directing the crankcase to the intake runners or the pre-turbo hose). The hose normally connects post air-filter but pre-MAF. I think this is different than the N20 because that valve can leak a small amount of hydrocarbons, and with the N26 BMW wanted to capture a few remaining places where those could leak to the environment (on the N20, it's just open like yours is now).

BMW doesn't actually reference that hose, but they do mention changes to the valve cover for the N26: "The cylinder head covers are made of plastic. They accommodate the oil separation of the crankcase ventilation. The oil separators are made of plastic and are very similar to those in the N20 engine. The major change to the cylinder head cover is that the crankcase pressure regulating valve is now welded to the cover and no longer to be replaced separately."

So my read between the lines is: sealing the valve wasn't enough, they also wanted to recycle any fumes from the pressure regulating valve back into the engine.

IMO you won't damage the engine running like this. You might fail smog if they do visual checks where you are and the inspector really knows what to look for. Valve covers range from $85 for cheap knockoffs to $350+ for OEM so you can decide if it's really worth it to fix or not.

JessesBimmer · 09-02-2020, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottSmith

I believe that line provides ambient air pressure reference to the PCV system so it can provide the appropriate vacuum to the crankcrase (by either directing the crankcase to the intake runners or the pre-turbo hose). The hose normally connects post air-filter but pre-MAF. I think this is different than the N20 because that valve can leak a small amount of hydrocarbons, and with the N26 BMW wanted to capture a few remaining places where those could leak to the environment (on the N20, it's just open like yours is now).

BMW doesn't actually reference that hose, but they do mention changes to the valve cover for the N26: "The cylinder head covers are made of plastic. They accommodate the oil separation of the crankcase ventilation. The oil separators are made of plastic and are very similar to those in the N20 engine. The major change to the cylinder head cover is that the crankcase pressure regulating valve is now welded to the cover and no longer to be replaced separately."

So my read between the lines is: sealing the valve wasn't enough, they also wanted to recycle any fumes from the pressure regulating valve back into the engine.

IMO you won't damage the engine running like this. You might fail smog if they do visual checks where you are and the inspector really knows what to look for. Valve covers range from $85 for cheap knockoffs to $350+ for OEM so you can decide if it's really worth it to fix or not.

i did get a cel from this, i can't remember the code, but it was for running too lean and its because the tap on the air intake that connects to the valve cover is after the maf sensor causing it to take in unmetered air. so regardless, whether its bad or not to run it as is, it should be fixed lol but like the other guys said before on this post, its not worth a whole valve cover job. its best to find a way to plastic weld some sort of nozzle to connect the vacuum line and call it a day.
if the engine blows it blows, im considering an engine swap in the future anyway lol

ScottSmith · 09-02-2020, 11:58 AM

Did you try plugging the hole on the airbox? That will prevent it from pulling in unmetered air.

My mistake on it being before the MAF. Here's a link to the Injen air intake for N20/N26:
https://x-ph.com/injen-air-intake-bm...i-428-n20-n26/
Third and fourth picture show where they have you connect the line; of course N20 doesn't need that so they just plug it up in that install...

08-18-2020, 07:48 PM	#1
JessesBimmer New Member 10 Rep 27 Posts Drives: bmw 328i xdrive f30 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: paterson NJ iTrader: (0)	Guys please help me.. fairly new to the bimmerpost community. have everywhere for more info. my car is a 2014 bmw 328i xdrive n26 but production date is 08/2013. My problem is my mechanic broke the nozzle on the valve cover (only the n26 has this nozzle) that goes into another nozzle on the air intake. What im trying to figure out is if i have to replace the whole valve cover or is there a way to only replace that piece somehow? pics below for reference! Attached Images
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08-19-2020, 11:26 AM	#3
JessesBimmer New Member 10 Rep 27 Posts Drives: bmw 328i xdrive f30 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: paterson NJ iTrader: (0)	bump
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08-19-2020, 11:49 AM	#4
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8245 Rep 16,088 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Look it up at http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/
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08-19-2020, 12:20 PM	#6
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8245 Rep 16,088 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	I'd find a way to fix it, probably gluing a brass or stainless steel tube into the hole, then using rubber tubing to complete the connection to the air intake.
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08-24-2020, 10:08 PM	#8
viper7180 New Member 5 Rep 8 Posts Drives: '06 IB M3 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (0)	I broke a similar fitting on the air box. I ended up getting a pack a vacuum line male to male adapters from the local auto parts store. It did require that fitting, on my air box (your valve cover) to be drilled out slightly. I then used an epoxy to set the adapter in place. I wasn't going to source a replacement air box when I could repair the fitting for $5. Although when drilling slowly, the plastic can be removed by the action of the drill bit. I would advise against any drilling with that valve cover on. Don't want to mistakenly get plastic inside the valve cover.
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08-25-2020, 02:02 AM	#9
RMachuca3d Captain 724 Rep 943 Posts Drives: F30 328i Msport Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: WA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 328i Mspor ... [0.00]	Whyt hasnt the mechanic offered to replace the valve cover? He broke it.
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09-02-2020, 11:01 AM	#11
ScottSmith Private First Class 30 Rep 105 Posts Drives: BMW E46 N20 Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I believe that line provides ambient air pressure reference to the PCV system so it can provide the appropriate vacuum to the crankcrase (by either directing the crankcase to the intake runners or the pre-turbo hose). The hose normally connects post air-filter but pre-MAF. I think this is different than the N20 because that valve can leak a small amount of hydrocarbons, and with the N26 BMW wanted to capture a few remaining places where those could leak to the environment (on the N20, it's just open like yours is now). BMW doesn't actually reference that hose, but they do mention changes to the valve cover for the N26: "The cylinder head covers are made of plastic. They accommodate the oil separation of the crankcase ventilation. The oil separators are made of plastic and are very similar to those in the N20 engine. The major change to the cylinder head cover is that the crankcase pressure regulating valve is now welded to the cover and no longer to be replaced separately." So my read between the lines is: sealing the valve wasn't enough, they also wanted to recycle any fumes from the pressure regulating valve back into the engine. IMO you won't damage the engine running like this. You might fail smog if they do visual checks where you are and the inspector really knows what to look for. Valve covers range from $85 for cheap knockoffs to $350+ for OEM so you can decide if it's really worth it to fix or not.
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09-02-2020, 11:58 AM	#13
ScottSmith Private First Class 30 Rep 105 Posts Drives: BMW E46 N20 Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Did you try plugging the hole on the airbox? That will prevent it from pulling in unmetered air. My mistake on it being before the MAF. Here's a link to the Injen air intake for N20/N26: https://x-ph.com/injen-air-intake-bm...i-428-n20-n26/ Third and fourth picture show where they have you connect the line; of course N20 doesn't need that so they just plug it up in that install...
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