Has been a week since I replaced the PCV diaphragm (top of the VC) to cure a stumbling idle at start up - stumble almost completely gone, MPG steadily climbing - was a paltry 28, now up to 30MPG.

Replacing the PCV pipe and cleaning throttle body/installing new seal today. Has anyone tried the PCV pipe hack below? My only concern is the seal between hose and connectors if using 3/4 heater hose (he uses 5/8 in the video and it looks like hell to get the connectors on) - I might try it with the old pipe when I remove it and use a little Permatex gasket maker + clamps where the connectors fit the hose; keep it as a spare.

Also, after thinking about this, will attach only one connector to heater hose and then install at the manifold inlet after the Permatex cures - will wait to install the VC connector to the hose until I have threaded the hose up to it's final position - as the replacement hose comes pre-bent, I can imagine having the connectors Permatexed at the wrong angle if they are done at the same time.

 

I did basically the same thing but found using zip ties on the end provided more room. I am concerned the tubing may collapse and in retrospect wish a placed a long spring inside.

 

Thanks. I think the heater hose will do OK - if conditions haven't collapsed that original POS OEM thin wall plastic pipe, the heater hose should stand up fine. I'm going to do the hack on the old one I remove to see how it goes together.

Someone could make a tidy sum fabbing up a couple hundred of those and selling at a reasonable price. F%$king half a$$ed ghetto OEM crap.

Or, even better, bend up some metal tubing to spec.

Apologies for the grumpy rant - as a hobby I used to putter around with older BMWs, had a couple of '84 533i's and a 633i with the M30 motor (what a great engine) - just an adjustment getting used to so much plastic everywhere.

*Edit - just read where someone did the above and the heater hose collapsed as you feared - appears the bends necessary caused kinks, so IDK - I guess go with OEM or have someone fabricate a metal one.

 

Mine has been running well for a few hundred miles so far. It’s my sons car and he only runs basically back and forth to high school each day and around a small town with friends. We will see. At least I know how to do the job.

 

You should use fuel hose, heater hose doesn't stand up to crankcase vapors well.

 

Allllllrighty then - this will be my last (promise) PCV pipe question.

Before I start removing things from the Mini:

The PCV hose I ordered has a 90 degree elbow connection that connects at the valve cover. The intake manifold connector is straight. Part # correct; cross referenced with realoem, etc.

HOWEVER - the pipe listed at ECS Tuning (I did not get this one) has a 90 degree elbow at both ends of the pipe and a female electrical connector at one end. My new pipe has no electrical connector.

The realoem schematic seems to indicate a 90 degree elbow is necessary for both ends of the pipe. Derp.

If anyone could shed some light on the discrepancies above I would very much appreciate it before I dig in there only to find I have the incorrect hose. 2007 Base R56 N12, build date 01/2007. Thank you for all the help so far and your patience as I attempt to get this (seemingly) simple R and R done without wasting time and effort.

 

Leaving it alone - new PCV diaphragm has improved the situation markedly. As the Mini has to be on the road tomorrow, I do not have the luxury of tearing into the car without knowing if the correct PCV pipe was delivered or exactly where the intake manifold PCV connection is located.

Scoured the internet for an hour - not one photograph of the R56 N12 PCV pipe connection at the intake manifold. Realoem presents a basic overview. If you have a pic, I would really like to see it - thanks.

 

It is the copper colored one on your right. The one BMW / Mini and everyone on line is convinced is the correct one is the silver one. Maybe the insert will fit, however, there is no way for the electrical connection to work.

 

Thanks, appreciate it. What I need is a pic of the inlet on the intake manifold of an R56 N12, build date 01/2007 so I can determine if the hose I have is correct and what I will need to remove to install it. I have the hose in the pic .

 

Found a few good stand alone pics of N12 intake manifolds on Ebay - unfortunately, both the current PCV hose and VC part #s supersede past #s and the pics, while helpful, can't tell me exactly what hose configuration I need. I will have to remove the throttle body and visually inspect the intake manifold inlet to know if I have the correct hose.

On the up side, it seems the PCV diaphragm replacement has greatly reduced oil consumption. The last time I added oil 2 weeks ago I filled to the halfway point between the two dipstick nibs; had previously always filled to the top nib - oil level holding steady at that halfway point. So - the new diaphragm may be helping, or my Mini was over full at the top dipstick nib. Whichever, the oil consumption is way down.

No longer stalls at low idle (700RPM) - really purrs at 900 - 1000RPM, kind of chugs at 700RPM, IDK if that is normal Mini idle. Will see how she does when I finally get the new PCV hose in.

Thanks for all the advice and feedback; much appreciated.

 

I actually saw your post on youtube after mine cracked while driving home and the idle went rough, this was in October. In december the hose (heater hose) collapsed and it stalled out at idle.. I'm in the process of figuring out threaded AN fittings for the intake manifold & passenger side valve cover to fix this issue once and for all.

 

this looks like the same hose I took off of my n14. I blocked it at the valve cover and at intake, removed tube and it’s collecting dust in basement. Bought 2 of these https://www.ecstuning.com/Cart/?add1...srep=jcrabtree

 

Jason Cornelius, you blocked the intake and valve cover where this hose connected and the car is running fine? I don’t understand as I thought this produced the needed vacuum inside the intake for exhaust gases to exit. Did you create another way for gases to escape? I am happy to do the same, not a fan of these systems in general, just do not want to do damage to the engine.

Input appreciated from others as well.

 

I will try to take some pics of what I can, at lunch today. On the n14 it has 2 of them. One runs from the back passenger side, this is the one I blocked at valve cover and down on intake manifold, the other one is over one drivers side that runs into air intake tube pre turbo, this is where I have DIY oil catch can.



and yes this OCC 100% works. I will drain into glass container next time, gas eats solo cups and I wasn’t even think till it turned red.



It was an oil, gas, water mix that didn’t end up on my intake valves. I have had zero issues with it plugged. Just make sure you have an OCC on other side and check it. I’m a bit **** but I check the oil every fill up and I will be checking my OCC from now on since I’m there, I have a dip stick and it in screws open and closed so isn’t a big deal to do. Have scanguage so I can see vitals, trip from Cincinnati to pigeon forge to see the parents, 4.5 hours driving no issues and I hit 100 a few times threw the mountains. 140,000 on odometer.

 

I got a couple of pics of what I can, don’t feel like taking airbox off again, but will try to get a pic once I install CAI.


here is the video I watched before doing.