Routing excess oil separator out of engine bay - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

haromaster87 · #1 11-21-2012, 12:44 AM

Hey guys,

I bought this intake kit:

Mercedes Diesel Performance Air Intake Kit 300D | eBay

Probably way overpriced, probably could've made a DIY one for way less, but I really like it and it looks great in the engine bay, also gives the turbo a sweet sound.

The shorter, upper separator gets the actual oil to the oil return line and the blow by to the longer tube. The longer collector vents the blow by out and collects any oil that makes it out. The collector just vents out into a long hose which you just kind of tuck under the battery tray into the back of the engine bay.

Great design IMO, but I have one of those engines that despite having terrific signs of life, just has a bit more blow by than it should. I've learned not to worry, but the tube just vents it out into the engine bay and makes my engine bay kinda smoky when the car is running.

Not a huge deal, but something I'd like to maybe resolve. I had an idea of going down the exhaust, and drilling a hole in the mid-pipe region, and getting a little threaded tube fitting, then just mounting a longer hose to the collector and running the hose to the fitting on the exhaust. This would just vent the blow by into the exhaust and out the back of the car.

Is this a good idea? As in, would I have to worry about the exhaust trying to push its way up the tube and into the collector, thus creating pressure in the whole system? Or do you think the exhaust would flow by it and let the blow by just flow in with it?

pgringo · #2 11-21-2012, 09:19 AM

that blowbye really needs to go back into the intake. you could drill and tap that metal elbow and install a hose barb, or use one of these on your silicone reducer: http://www.siliconeintakes.com/product_info.php?cPath=12&products_id=500&osCsid=70b92d508f5fa389a2206159c3f5c625

did you see my version? time to pimp my thread...

catch can & cold / hot air intake how to

kerry · #3 11-21-2012, 09:22 AM

Drill a hole in the tube right after the air filter and route the blowby back into the turbo. That's what MB did on the early 617's in the 116 chassis.

By the way, I don't get the point of that kit. I see no advantage over the OE setup.

JamesDean · #4 11-21-2012, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

By the way, I don't get the point of that kit. I see no advantage over the OE setup.

The advantage is purely on the seller side of the equation.

pgringo · #5 11-21-2012, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

I see no advantage over the OE setup.

one advantage is "what you don't see."

s p a c e

via removal of the stock monstrosity.

haromaster87 · #6 11-21-2012, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

Drill a hole in the tube right after the air filter and route the blowby back into the turbo. That's what MB did on the early 617's in the 116 chassis.

By the way, I don't get the point of that kit. I see no advantage over the OE setup.

You're probably right. The only thing I liked about it was that the oil separator seems a lot more effective than the original. Maybe mine wasn't functioning properly. I don't know. But I enjoy it well enough.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

Ugh. another member lowering the performance of his vehicle to gain turbo whine and poorly filtered air to the engine.

lets see some pics of it installed on your car.

you understand the stock air filter flows MORE air than the car can possibly use right? I understand that the rattling broken mount is SUPREMELY annoying, and hearing that turbo whine is appealing to say the least, but it will get annoying after time, and the foam/oil filters really cannot filter the volume of air a diesel ingests!
I would route the smokey air back into the intake as pgirngo suggests. I'd also change that filter to at least a paper element, and install a heat shield to surround it, and get a fresh air intake routed into the box.

I will trust the technical aspect of your post and look ino those parts. That makes enough sense. Albeit, I haven't noticed any decrease in performance, if anything, the engine seems to breath better at higher revs. But I trust that you're one of the members on here who knows what they're talking about.

As for your opinionated prediction on how you think I will feel about something on my own car, thank you, but no thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgringo

one advantage is "what you don't see."

s p a c e

via removal of the stock monstrosity.

This is it. Among other things, it frees up a lot of space. I was just looking for an idea of what to do with the excess air. I suspected filtering back into the intake, but wasn't sure. I have my answer now. Thanks guys!

JamesDean · #7 11-21-2012, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haromaster87

I will trust the technical aspect of your post and look ino those parts. That makes enough sense. Albeit, I haven't noticed any decrease in performance, if anything, the engine seems to breath better at higher revs. But I trust that you're one of the members on here who knows what they're talking about.

vstech knows his stuff for sure. The bracket isnt really a huge problem. The best solution is to just weld in additional metal. Did that on both 300SD's, not a problem since.

Quote:

This is it. Among other things, it frees up a lot of space.

Frees up a lot of space to do what though?

charmalu · #8 11-21-2012, 11:08 AM

You`re young, go for it, but in the end when you get through spinning your wheels trying to modify everything. you will just drive them and enjoy them. other things will take up your time.

wife, kids, working, paying bills/taxes, rent. house payment, trying to survive, paying off the ex/alamony, (all the money) child support.

Yeah VSTECH knows what he is talking about for sure.

Charlie

pgringo · #9 11-21-2012, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

Frees up a lot of space to do what though?

clean grime. access wiring/sensors. adjust mbc. visual inspection.

vstech · #10 11-21-2012, 09:27 AM

Ugh. another member lowering the performance of his vehicle to gain turbo whine and poorly filtered air to the engine.

lets see some pics of it installed on your car.

you understand the stock air filter flows MORE air than the car can possibly use right? I understand that the rattling broken mount is SUPREMELY annoying, and hearing that turbo whine is appealing to say the least, but it will get annoying after time, and the foam/oil filters really cannot filter the volume of air a diesel ingests!
I would route the smokey air back into the intake as pgirngo suggests. I'd also change that filter to at least a paper element, and install a heat shield to surround it, and get a fresh air intake routed into the box.

pgringo · #11 11-21-2012, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

hearing that turbo whine is appealing to say the least, but it will get annoying after time,

does not compute. turbo_whine=pure_sex

kerry · #12 11-21-2012, 11:48 AM

I do like the looks of the engine bay with the non-OE filter. Seeing the turbo is pleasing.

haromaster87 · #13 11-21-2012, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

I think its just the question in particular that you asked. Its been asked before and lots of folks who've been down this path multiple times.

Its generally understood around here that stock air box = better than those attach on cone ones as they just end up sucking under-the-hood air which is normally warmer than the outside air.

Its your car and you are free to modify it to your hearts content and I support modifications. Most of my cars are modified to a degree or another.

Charlie's right though life does eventually get in the way of playing with cars. So do things while you have the time!

My only advice is that you change/clean that filter often and that you avoid K&N filters for the diesel's sake. I understand that they allow more air in but they sacrifice filtration to do so.

I get that. And I definitely know one day the car will be low on my priorities. Well, lower. I already do quite a lot. And there will only be more to do as time goes on. haha

Yeah, I avoid K&N Filters like the plauge. Although, this one may not be too far off. I will probably look into a paper cone filter like vstech recommended.

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

Good decissions are the one`s you make later after you have learned from all your bad decissions that looked like good one`s at the time.

we have all made them and done them, and if we had listened to our parents or other people that have gone before us, in a lot of ways it could have save us some frustrations in life.

Do I listen, heck no, I have to try things also that some one told me would do such and such a would do so and so. some day I`ll wise up too, better hurry up pretty quick, 69 is getting close.

Enjoy your car, and have fun with it iam not criticizing you, don`t take it that way.

One thing you can do with the K&N style filters is buy some batting. they sell it at the yardage stores by the yard. make a cover over the filter and then spray it with the K&N oil. it would be a prefilter, then change it and wash or make a new one. hot glue the edges together and it would be like a sock.

Charlie

I gotcha now. Sorry for how I reacted. I do hope you get to have your fun with your car as much as possible, other circumstances allowing. haha

Interesting idea on the K&N filter sock, I definitely might look into that. Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

I do like the looks of the engine bay with the non-OE filter. Seeing the turbo is pleasing.

Same here. I just think it looks nice. Cleans up the engine bay, makes a lot of things much more accesible, and just looks cool over all. I do suppose it's not for everyone, but then again, neither is the stock assembly.

destroy · #14 11-21-2012, 06:34 PM

I feel like the "warm" air difference is so negligible that as long as you use a good filter, a DIY intake is better in every way.

I'm still deciding how I'm gonna collect that nasty, oily blowby. I don't like the idea of it going right back into my intake elbow and making a mess of the elbow and the turbo impellor like the stock setup.

Also, what did everyone do with the drain tube back down to the pan?

JamesDean · #15 11-21-2012, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by destroy

I feel like the "warm" air difference is so negligible that as long as you use a good filter, a DIY intake is better in every way.

I'm still deciding how I'm gonna collect that nasty, oily blowby. I don't like the idea of it going right back into my intake elbow and making a mess of the elbow and the turbo impellor like the stock setup.

Also, what did everyone do with the drain tube back down to the pan?

I suppose you could always take advantage of the tube since its there. Just route your blow by down it.