The breather hose on my '82 240D connects to what can best be described as a big, black, filthy "Hockey Puck" that's below and in front of the air cleaner.

What is it's real name? I did a search for the term "Puck", but I didn't come up with much. What's it's purpose?

The area underneath the puck is filthy. I recently replaced the elbow piece in the breather line that connects to the valve cover in order to help keep things clean (the old piece was cracked).

What can I do?

Thanks,

- Patrick

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1982 240D. 198k, Marine Blue/Blue, 4 Speed, Crank Windows, No Sunroof, No Rust, No Oil Leaks
2001 TDI. 197k, Lagoon Blue/Black, 5 speed, Chip, G60/VR6

mercedes calls it an oil seperator. it is mercedes part number 616-010-00-62
Ray
mercedessd@cox.net

So I could remove it and take it apart (and maybe fix it) without any problems...?

How complicated can an Oil Separator be?

Where does the separated oil go (other than on my engine)?

Thanks,

- Patrick

__________________
1982 240D. 198k, Marine Blue/Blue, 4 Speed, Crank Windows, No Sunroof, No Rust, No Oil Leaks
2001 TDI. 197k, Lagoon Blue/Black, 5 speed, Chip, G60/VR6

This think is a cyclone separator. The blow-by gasses come into the device and are forced to "spin" around inside. The heavier oil droplets in the gas mixture are forced to the inside surfaces of the outside container where they drain by gravity to a tube that goes out the bottom and drains to the sump, while the gasses are collected at the center and fed into the intake. The device helps reduce the amount of oil dragged into the intake. And that is why it is so filthy. Depending on the condition of the engine, the blow by can begin to wet the entire inside of this item, and eventually leak out the connections. Changing the connections helps this dramatically, but as the blow by gets worse, the engine can actually blow the draining oil back up the drain tube and begin to pressurize the whole system. Which means more oil leaks out. Making that mess. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

my air cleaner holder had oil in it?

so the seperator can be cleaned?