Re: Where are the PCV's? Not in Bentleys (archive)

I thought they were on top of the valve covers, but they're blocked by the intake manifolds. How do you get to them and how long of a job is it?
I've read on the board many times about negative crankcase pressure. You should have a little difficulty taking off the oil cap when the engine running, or the engine should run poorly with the cap off. I experience nothing like that. The cap comes off easily with the engine running and the engine runs fine.
I'm burning a quart of oil every 1200-1300 miles. What does this sound like? Crankcase ventilation valves? Is it an easy DIYer, and do you replace or clean them? TIA.

I have replaced the whole PCV system to the updated one (yes BMW changed the system from the early models - new system will have white valve in the centre and air will be allowed through BOTH directions in the smaller check valve).
Still - my car runs fine (slightly rougher) when oil filler cap is removed, but definietly no choking or stalling.
I burn oil within spec and have absolutely NO running or idling problems whatsoever.
The moral: Checking for engine stalling upon removing oil filler cap would hardly seem to be a comprehensive engine condition diagnosis on such a complex engine management system.
My advice: if your car is burning oil within spec and is running fine "leave sleeping dogs lie" :)

You can pull them out easily enough without removing anything (provided you have hands smaller than "Lurch" (Adams Family)). But getting the new ones back in with new grommets required me removing just the front part of the intake manifold (where the throttle motors are mounted).
The 'check valves' are the ones coming out of the bellows from between the manifold and air filter box.

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