Oil on intake - What is this?

[blefevre]

I need help fixing a new leak I found tonight. This picture is on the intake of course. It looks like it is leaking from that "cap" but I have no idea what it is or why oil is there. Sorry for being a newb but this is my wifes car, all my knowledge is in our E30. I just maintain this thing.

Edit: It's a 96 M44

[spidertri]

The black plastic cylinder is the crank case vent valve. Oil vapor from the valve cover flows through that into the intake. There is an o ring on the bottom of the CCVV that will leak after a while. A new CCVV is around $50 at the dealer, I replaced mine a few weeks ago because it was leaking and letting moisture into the system. It's kind of a pain because the two cap screws are on the bottom, I think they were 5mm hex.

[blefevre]

Awesome! Were you able to do this with the intake still on or did you have to remove the upper/lower half?

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

You can do it without removing the manifold but it is a pain since the bolts are on the bottom. spidertri already gave you the size to use for the two bolts and you will need a small 1/4 drive ratchet

[blefevre]

Thanks guys! I will get on it!

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

Well one thing I would like to say. I see oil on the CCV hose top. This tells me that the CCV hose from the valve cover is leaking bad. My thoughts would be clean up all the oil with brake cleaner and replace the CCV hose from the valve cover to the CCV valve. I bet your oil leak will go away. If you look at the picture close you will see a oil leak that has traveled on the top of the hose for the CCV it is a bad one at the bottom and creeped up and the o-ring on the CCV is most likely good. All that oil is leaking from the higher spot, the CCV hose.

Just my opinion.

Best, John Smith