Caption Contest ~ OM642 Intake
 

Intake side of 2007 e320 (OM642):

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...29d8cee60a.jpg

Isn't that EGR piping?

The bottom pipe is egr. It's not so bad. The top 2 pipes are intake manifolds. I've never seen anything like that. The carbon is from the pcv, which pipes into the TB, and then here. I think either the pcv valve failed or there is excessive blow by (or both).

Does anyone else other ideas?

​I am pulling the engine this weekend to evaluate heads and lower. At minimum the heads and intakes need industrial strength cleaning. I'll be lucky and happy if I can just have that done, heads rebuilt, replace pcv, and var. seals.

Also consider installing a "catch can" / oil separator. Such as a Provent 200 manufactured by Mann-Hummel.

Review;
https://oe-products.mann-hummel.com/...ProVent_en.pdf

Regards

Joseph

I am very grateful for the tip, Joseph. I will be adding a catch can and checking intakes with a boroscope regularly. I think the real problem here was blow by on piston 1 due to ring failure. I am in process of replacing that piston and the rings on piston 3. Everything else down there looks and checks like new. I just picked up the heads and intakes from the machine shop after a good cleaning, checkup, and valve seal replacement. Keeping fingers crossed that I am not missing anything else and that I can get the puzzle back together. Good fun ...

The attached PDF file is for Closed Crankcase Ventilation {CCV] system manufactured by Parker Hannifin Corporation Racor Division , I think this is a very good reference. Applicable to any system.

You should get good ideas on how to install a system.

Joseph~