I have an OM617 I am swapping into my Jeep. I am using a different air filter and there is no hookup for a breather line. Yes I could easily add one and hook up the valve cover breather to it. But instead, would it be ok to use a stand alone valve cover breather like this:

Trans-Dapt 6896 Chrome Valve Cover Breathers : Amazon.com : Automotive

I already have it installed on the engine and it fits very tight over the breather port. Any reason I shouldnt use this or that it would need to be connected to the intake?

As long as it doesn't have a huge restriction inside (some neck down to 3/8") then you should be fine. Connecting a line from the valve cover to inlet can also work.

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

You could, but you'll get something really ugly like this...



A better bet would be to use a catch can. You can build one very easily or buy one. Then vent the clean vapor into the intake. If you use the catch can as an actual catch can, you'll just empty the gunk periodically, otherwise you can dump it back to the crankcase, or possibly dump it to ground.

Here's how I did mine, to give you some potential ideas - Built a Catch Can

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Current Stable

• 380SL (diesel)
• Corvette C5
• Manx
• Baja Bug
• F350 Powerstroke
• Auburn Boattail Speedster replica

Only possible reason depending on where you are in the world (and in most places they probably wouldn't mind on an old car) => the reason why the crank case gasses are passed to the intake is to help reduce emissions.

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!