P38 Diesel engine breather

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RubyDSE

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Somerset
My 95 diesel has a broken breather valve on the cam cover. I've decided to finally do something about it but I can't find any examples anywhere in the internet. The best I have found is a walk-through on the later internal filter design. From memory the inside of my cam cover looks like it has the plates to hold a filter mesh although I've never taken a close look. But I cannot see those for sale online anywhere either.
Does anyone know whether or not new external filters/PCVs are available, and if an internal filter and PCV is compatible without a later cam cover?

I hope to end the hot oil smell following me around.
 
RubyDSE said:
My 95 diesel has a broken breather valve on the cam cover. I've decided to finally do something about it but I can't find any examples anywhere in the internet. The best I have found is a walk-through on the later internal filter design. From memory the inside of my cam cover looks like it has the plates to hold a filter mesh although I've never taken a close look. But I cannot see those for sale online anywhere either.
Does anyone know whether or not new external filters/PCVs are available, and if an internal filter and PCV is compatible without a later cam cover?

I hope to end the hot oil smell following me around.
Click to expand...

Part number for the external valve is STC2806. Part number for cam cover with internal valve is STC4399. But are very costly new. Internal valve is not available from Land rover as a separate item but BMW dealers may have it. Try Emmotts of Colne for S/H parts.
 
I've got the external STC2806 on mine. I flushed it out with petrol some time ago. It doesn't fit entirely tightly and is help up with cable ties but I don't think it does much?
 
Thanks for the quick reply and info. Having a part number helps.

I'll call Emmotts tomorrow and Colin White services near me to see what's available, and look at my cover.

I read in another thread you saying the internal design maintains a slight vacuum in the engine, that sounds sensible. If I fit an internal filter/valve what effects might that have on the engine that I might want to know about? other than help to keep the oil in.
 
RubyDSE said:
Thanks for the quick reply and info. Having a part number helps.

I'll call Emmotts tomorrow and Colin White services near me to see what's available, and look at my cover.

I read in another thread you saying the internal design maintains a slight vacuum in the engine, that sounds sensible. If I fit an internal filter/valve what effects might that have on the engine that I might want to know about? other than help to keep the oil in.
Click to expand...

The thing that keeps the oil in or at least minimises the mist coming out is the mesh oil separator inside the cam cover. Don't know about the early one, but the later versions internal cover plate is held in by nine or so torx screws and the mesh oil separator can be taken out and cleaned. Some oil mist will always be emitted that is why it is normal to have some oil in turbo pipes. They should be flushed out along with intercooler every 48,000 miles.
 
I repaired the fault with off cuts of hose and after learning that the earlier model still has the mesh inside I cleaned that. Just a couple of oil leaks and yet more diesel odour and it'll be a respectable motor again.
Thanks for the help.

Also, I took the external valve apart while I was at it. There's a spring holding up a diaphragm in the open position, so when there's notable air flow under vacuum from either direction the diaphragm will be pulled closed stopping the flow.
 
Last edited:
RubyDSE said:
I repaired the fault with off cuts of hose and after learning that the earlier model still has the mesh inside I cleaned that. Just a couple of oil leaks and yet more diesel odour and it'll be a respectable motor again.
Thanks for the help.

Also, I took the external valve apart while I was at it. There's a spring holding up a diaphragm in the open position, so when there's notable air flow under vacuum from either direction the diaphragm will be pulled closed stopping the flow.
Click to expand...

If you have smell of diesel have a look at the spill pipes, make sure they are sound and no weeps or splits.
 
I have the early one. That strange filter thing between the crankcase and black air intake looks ok but I think it has a tiny crack that opens enough under high load for a pinprick of oil mist to escape. Over a few weeks it builds up little dots on the turbo to intercooler hose and the brake modulator. I have just wrapped the hose in gaffer tape!
 
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