No problem except you need to reinforce the Alta can. Alta will supply you with a section of plastic pipe cut to size, or you could go to a hardware store and get a peice yourself.

Installing the OCC as described puts the Alta can under high vacuum and the soft can can't withstand the vacuum.

 

I think i have pipe like that around here, i will just cut it to size. Should i replace the original Alta tubing too ?

 

What is the best OCC to use?

 

it seems the m7 can is the better design...just make sure u put something in the can(wire mesh or grille mesh) in the can to baffle it so the oil vapor has something to cling to

 

So something like foam? Does one of the pipes go all the way down or can something be made to extend it all the way to the bottom on the inlet side?

 

No need to replace the tubing.

I actually got a metal OCC (just like the M7) off of Ebay for about $35 a couple of years ago. It works as well as the more expensive ones. Check my gallery for pics of both installed. Instead of foam (which is harder to clean) I used some left over gutter guard from my scoop grill mod. It has been working just fine.

 

The best one isn't Alta, because it is made of silicone, which a) collapses under vacuum, and b) reacts with the hot oil and gas, and becomes stained as it degrades. They used inappropriate material that is not designed for volatile chemical resistance.

Get any metal can, or the $15 air/oil separator described. If the latter, there is zero need to place anything inside it, as it has an excellent filter designed for the purpose.

 

Thanks for all the info.
I noticed that you use a slighter different tube routing than the described and recommended by "DrPhil", is there any advantage in doing it that way?

 

I have the M7 can and I did add plastic tubing to extend the inbound side 3/4 or 2/3 of the way down. I also added some spun aluminum to the inside. It does trap more than just an empty can.

 

His diagram is correct for the use of a single can. I had the Alta first and decided to add the metal can for the high vacuum side to eliminate my "mustard" oil problem. Has work flawlessly for the last 2 years. Both catch some material, the metal can gets the oil and the Alta can gets the watery/oily stuff.

 

All doubts resolved.
Thank you all for everything.

 

 

Is there an Alta OCC that is colllapsing here??? If so it would have to be the Alta install method ( the tubing would be the first to collaps, the tank would need way more vacume ).
The Alta design is a closed system. It recirculates without any fresh air supply. The BMW OE system is not closed to fresh air, nor is any other crancase ventilation system that I've ever seen.
The closed system is designed to collect not just oil but water vapor as well. Does it work? If there is any obstruction, in the system, you might implode your valve cover.
Bottom line, the crancase needs air & lots of it. Any OCC will work, including Alta as you use the recomended "Dr Phil install".
My car is an 03 S & have had no problem with any Alta OCC component supplied ( installed 04 using a fresh air source ala Dr Phil method )

 

I used "DR. Phill´s" install with all the original Alta package and i noticed while at idle that the can was collapsing a little bit, i remembered what read here about valve cover exploding and i didn´t wait to see what would happen if i give it a little throttle. Today i was preparing myself to find extra resistance tubing to replace the Alta tubes and put a hard pvc pipe to prevent the collapsing inside the can and reconnect everything back together. Will i risk anything with that ?

 

NO. The supplied Alta tubing should collaps long before the can, however, I've not seen either deflect in any way.

 

i just got the alta occ and it came with the re-enforced center for the can.

question is.....does it matter which line goes where being the alta can inlet and outlet arentany different on the cap. I was also going to put the supplied clear line in one of the fittings to go down into the can but would like to know if that should be on the inlet or outlet side and which line goes where on the engine.

and what line should i get from the parts store since the supplied lines while crush under vacuum

i have a spare valve cover to show the underside baffling

the bigger baffle is the PCV side

 

That would be on the inbound side.

 

ty.....what line goes to the pcv though...the inlet, right

 

Yes.


https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...7&d=1168637690
This is the prefered way. It leaves the NON PCV end of the valve cover for a fresh air source ( this side should either have a filter on it for HAI or connect it to your intake. If you have an OE air intake it's already connected. All aftermarket CAIs I'v seen have a nipple for the connection )

 

I found this to work best as well leaving the other side alone.

 

thats how im going to hook it up.....i thought someone was saying the alta hose will collapse on vacuum connected to the grey line but i see in that pic your using it

 

I'm not sure how to open my M7 OCC so i can put Stainless Steel Wool inside....

They have six bolts or something in the top and bottom, and i don't know what to use to unfasten them....anyone have any tips?

 

i cant get a good pic of the can on the site to see the bolt head. can you take a pic of it up close. i would think its a allen bolt like most of their fastners they use

 

they are Allen bolts - insert Allen wrench, turn counter clockwise.

 

Ah yes, i thought it might be an allen key, i tried it and it didn't work at first cos i was inserting it at an angle, which wasn't a good idea. Thanks guys

I put some very fine steel wool inside and scrunched it down the very bottom. I don't think it was a very good idea. I think i'll go get some thicker steel wool so none of it breaks apart and flows through the tubes.

That is, i put this in: http://www.dkimages.com/discover/pre...7/55099318.JPG

and i think i should change it for some of this: http://norwexhealthycleaning.com/images/spirinettes.jpg

What do people think?

Also, the tubing that should extend from the OCC inlet to the bottom of the can, how did people fix this to the inlet? Does anyone have any pics?