TD4 Crankcase Filter

Hi all.

Don't know if you have heard or are aware that BMW have made a modification of the crankcase filter for the engines. The old filter had a mesh type cylinder in it which needed replacing to prevent the crankcase from pressurising up and blowing oil through the turbo and dipstick tube.

The mod is the same filter housing but the cylinder has been replaced with a plastic affair which looks like 2 cones inverted. Fitted mine last night and it works a treat - no more worries about blocked filters!

I'll post some pics of the existing and modified filter housings etc.

ok as promised piccys!

note this is a BMW part not landy - same engine same part number no more changing every year!!!!

about £36 complete with all new rubber seals - and its a gen part.

and....it works....i fitted it before posting this as didn't want a slagging off!!

rustymark said:

Hi all.

Don't know if you have heard or are aware that BMW have made a modification of the crankcase filter for the engines. The old filter had a mesh type cylinder in it which needed replacing to prevent the crankcase from pressurising up and blowing oil through the turbo and dipstick tube.

The mod is the same filter housing but the cylinder has been replaced with a plastic affair which looks like 2 cones inverted. Fitted mine last night and it works a treat - no more worries about blocked filters!

I'll post some pics of the existing and modified filter housings etc.

Click to expand...

Hey Rusty... Are you saying that this "new" filter from BMW dont
need replacing every year, like the old type!

Cos ive been finkin, a "filter" is a "filter" ie collect any crap that whatever passes through it! so, you dont have a filter to "change" but
you will still need to clean it out, as often as replacing the old one! in
this case.. every year!!
I would not fit it un forget it! its doing what its suposed to.. collect un
crap!!

Hey Rusty... Are you saying that this "new" filter from BMW dont
need replacing every year, like the old type!

Cos ive been finkin, a "filter" is a "filter" ie collect any crap that whatever passes through it! so, you dont have a filter to "change" but
you will still need to clean it out, as often as replacing the old one! in
this case.. every year!!
I would not fit it un forget it! its doing what its suposed to.. collect un
crap!!

Click to expand...

I wonder if this is some sort of centrifugal system which swirls the crap outwards onto the walls of the new unit (no moving parts obviously) with enough allowance for longer times between servicing. Just a guess, not really sure.

chromiumuk said:

I wonder if this is some sort of centrifugal system which swirls the crap outwards onto the walls of the new unit (no moving parts obviously) with enough allowance for longer times between servicing. Just a guess, not really sure.

Click to expand...

Nah,its not that clever - remember it is made by BMW ! Wot you doin with a Rustin Gypsy on your thingy ?

No I won't be fitting and forgetting BUT the original was probably badly named as 'filter'. The original was that coarse it would not filter any particles from your oil - it is a breather only which reduces the build up of pressure in the crank case forcing oil out where ever it can - through the sump to dipstick and out, through your turbo, through any worn o rings, gaskets etc etc.

The original was designed to catch the oil that would enevitably be carried by escaping crankcase gas and retrieve it back into the engine - bunging a big sponge covered string honeycomb is one way - this will eventually block as oil soaks into it - or replace it with the modified plastic part - the oil is caught in much the same way but there is no cartridge to block.

I know since fitting mine i have had no problems and no oil use - and strangely when i fitted it i cleaned out the entire intercooler system just to check if it passed oil as the old one did - and after a drive at 80 up the A1 yesterday, back across country to Sutton bank via the 1:4 climb and home the pipes are clear.... so it works!

Oh and PS! I got 300 miles on half a tank of fuel - well according to the fuel gauge!

was more of an oil separator than a filter, just unfortunate it was made out of filter material, as it becomes blocked.

and the bmw new part works!

cheers optimus

rustymark said:

and the bmw new part works!

Click to expand...

and I assume that it could be cleaned and re-used ?

Nah,its not that clever - remember it is made by BMW ! Wot you doin with a Rustin Gypsy on your thingy ?

Click to expand...

Ah you noticed. Always had a soft spot for these old & as you say often rusty austins. As usual, couldn't afford to get a good one, not that I've seen any advertised for a long time.

rustymark said:

ok as promised piccys!

note this is a BMW part not landy - same engine same part number no more changing every year!!!!

about £36 complete with all new rubber seals - and its a gen part.

and....it works....i fitted it before posting this as didn't want a slagging off!!

Click to expand...

Good info Rusty. . . .bout time they sorted thet stupid filter out

i would imagine so with a suitable solvent (like petrol!)

Hi, Bought the BMW part as described and removed old filter. Had only done 18k but was spongy and thick oily residue - don't think too much air was gettin' thro'.
Assembled the two parts of new filter unit and offered up to engine - won't go in - seems to go part way then rocks about middle? On comparing the original and the new unit there is a small cut-out in the web of the new oil catcher nearest the air valve end. The old (sponge) unit had a large clearance around the inside of the casing so did not have the problem. The cut out in the new unit does not align with the guide on the filter casing? I cut a new slot in the catcher's web to allow the unit to seat properly and all went in ok. Thanks for your info.

Hi - that is very strange mine went in perfectly. You don't use any parts of the original filter or its housing - the new unit has a small plastic cone type affair in one side and a valve in the other. It should screw down without adjustment unless somewhere along the line the engine has been modified by LR/BMW since mine was made - its a 2000 model?

Hi Mark - Could be some change - mine is a late 2005 vintage TD4. There is a single vertical rib (only about 1x1mm) up the side of the filter chamber that fouled the seperator web. The new BMW unit came in the box in two pieces - the valve + top and the seperator unit with an 'O' ring seal. The seal went onto the top part and the seperator pushed on over the seal. There is a cut out in the seperator web but it is in the wrong place - I cut a new one slightly further round the web and it all went in ok. Picy's if it helps?

Congratulations to you! excellent mod! Seems there is an ever so slight difference then! As long as its oil tight you've got it sorted.

now you can rest not wondering if it will block without you knowing!

yes good info TDJohn

Rusty, where did you get this part from?
thanks

Herald said:

Rusty, where did you get this part from?
thanks

Click to expand...

Oh come on, he stated it was available from BMW & even provided the BMW part number, what more can tell you................

Here is an update to get the BMW crankcase oil seperator slightly cheaper. Now the part number that has been quoted at the beginning of the post is for the whole assembly and when i checked with my local BMW garage, they wanted about £50 for it. I have found that you can get hold of just the oil seperator part (which replaces the mesh filter in the TD4 engine) seperatly at £20.59 inc VAT.

The part number if you are interested is B11.12.7.799.367

I purchased one this week and it went in like a dream on my 2001 TD4. absolutely no modifications required.

Hope this helps to keep money in your pockets and out of the garages.