'07 E63 Intake manifold: worth having an oil catch can ?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
'07 E63 Intake manifold: worth having an oil catch can ?
As I was working on my car, I also extracted the intake manifold. This thing sitting in the middle of the engine is actually quite big !
![](http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/420650P1230010.jpg)
After removing a few screws, it finally comes out
![](http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/488294P1230053.jpg)
Once removed, there a big whole in the middle
![](http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/936926P1230062.jpg)
![](http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/950409P1230065.jpg)
Once on the bench, it is big but actually quite light (aluminium and magnesium)
![](http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/115645P1230074.jpg)
What's surprising is the quantity of oil that comes out of it
![](http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/205583P1230077.jpg)
and all the pipes are dirty
![](http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/535535P1230080.jpg)
![](http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/120888P1230081.jpg)
This raises the question of the opportunity of installing an oil catch can. It seems quite some oil goes in the admission.
Next surprise is the gray paste all around the manifold. Obviously this was done by one of the previous owner, but not sure if this was preventive or if it was to fix an air leak...
![](http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/115457P1230084.jpg)
At this point I'm not quite sure if I should remove the paste to clean the inside and change the joint and the screws or if I should just leave it as it is... Guts feel for the moment is not to fix what ain't broken...
![](http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/420650P1230010.jpg)
After removing a few screws, it finally comes out
![](http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/488294P1230053.jpg)
Once removed, there a big whole in the middle
![](http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/936926P1230062.jpg)
![](http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/950409P1230065.jpg)
Once on the bench, it is big but actually quite light (aluminium and magnesium)
![](http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/115645P1230074.jpg)
What's surprising is the quantity of oil that comes out of it
![](http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/205583P1230077.jpg)
and all the pipes are dirty
![](http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/535535P1230080.jpg)
![](http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/120888P1230081.jpg)
This raises the question of the opportunity of installing an oil catch can. It seems quite some oil goes in the admission.
Next surprise is the gray paste all around the manifold. Obviously this was done by one of the previous owner, but not sure if this was preventive or if it was to fix an air leak...
![](http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/115457P1230084.jpg)
At this point I'm not quite sure if I should remove the paste to clean the inside and change the joint and the screws or if I should just leave it as it is... Guts feel for the moment is not to fix what ain't broken...
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
#3
Of course I am usually looking back there to see how far off I can leave the m3s
![Wink](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
#5
Super Member
The manifold is two piece, if it leaks the dealership recommends a new intake manifold $$$$$. It is possible to reseal the pieces and I think that is what you are seeing here. If you did not have a check engine light before, you probably should leave it alone. However, this is a cost saving repair and not guaranteed for the long run. You could replace the intake.....but those fail too. I had my intake resealed when it was causing intermittent check engine lights and it has not recurred in two years.