Oiling System for BMW 3 Series E46 (1999-2005)

If your M50, M52, or M54 engine takes a few seconds to build oil pressure after sitting, there's a good chance that your factory oil filter housing drain back valve has failed. Over time, the factory plastic check valve degrades, allowing oil to drain completely out of the housing and back into the oil pan while sitting. Every cold start essentially becomes a dry start, resulting in a loud ticking noise and causing unnecessary wear on your engine's internals.

Unfortunately, BMW does not offer this check valve as a standalone part, forcing you to purchase a costly, complete oil filter housing assembly just to fix one failed plastic component. Thankfully, our team of BMW enthusiasts took note of this common failure mode and designed a permanent, cost-effective fix.

Our Billet Oil Filter Housing Drain-Back Valve is designed as a direct-fit upgrade for your factory oil filter housing. CNC-machined from high-strength billet aluminum, this upgraded valve restores positive sealing to keep the oil filter housing fully primed. Maintaining this hydraulic prime ensures rapid oil pressure stabilization upon startup, directly mitigating dry-start bearing wear and top-end lifter starvation without requiring the purchase of a complete OEM housing assembly.

When we designed this catch we wanted to have the most function options available, the best separation method, and the easiest to service. The Turner engineered catch cans offer a pre-setup design based ion desired flow direction, however this does not limit you to this flow. The inner baffle orientation can be easily adjusted to flow in both directions in case you decide to move this catch can to a different vehicle. A 4 chamber system  baffle system inside the catch can was engineered to create multiple changes in the direction of airflow within the separator to cause oil droplets to fall out of suspension before exiting the catch can. Having a closed / recirculated design reduces oil ingestion and promotes cleaner emissions and odor-less operation.

Our catch can was also designed with the idea that the cans fill level can easily be checked with a top mounted dipstick and an optional use bottom drain hole. The drain system comes complete with a valve and hose to be mounted at a lower area of the vehicle so when you're doing an oil change you can drain the catch can.

Features:

• 6061-T6 billet machined body, anodized black for lasting protection and appearance
• Strategically positioned 4 chamber baffle system maximizes oil / air separation 
• Knurled and black anodized oil dipstick makes inspecting oil volume of reservoir clean and simple
• Sealed with a pre-installed viton O-Ring
• Includes 2.5mm allen key to remove baffle plates for cleaning
• Engineered to create multiple changes in the direction of airflow within the separator to cause oil droplets to fall out of suspension before exiting the catch can
• Closed / recirculated design reduces oil ingestion and promotes cleaner emissions and odor-less operation
• Optional use drain hole - drain kit included!
• Universal mounting kit

Through experimentation and data acquired from our E36 World Challenge Touring Cars, it was discovered that in long corners and under heavy braking that there was an oil starvation problem in the M50 and M52 engines. This system was developed to keep oil in the sump and eliminate the starvation problem. After several iterations, further testing and data acquisition in the Touring Cars showed that this system eliminates the problem of oil starvation. This is a less expensive alternative to replacing the stock oil pan with the factory BMW M3 Lightweight oil pan, while still achieving the similar results.

*Requires Professional Welding

Installation instructions (E36/Z3 Oil Pan Baffle for M50, M52, S50, S52 engines)

This item fits the following BMWs:
1992-1999 E36 BMW 323is 323ic 325i 325is 325ic 328i 328is 328ic M3
1992-1995 E34 BMW 525i
1997-1998 E39 BMW 528i
1997-1998 Z3 BMW Z3 2.8
1998-2000 Z3 BMW Z3 M Coupe M Roadster S52

Modern day emissions regulations require the use of a closed crankcase ventilation (PCV) system to recirculate combustion blow-by gases from the crankcase back in to the intake to be burned.  Unfortunately, these blow by gases contain water vapor (which is a byproduct of combustion) and pick up oil mist from and the windage cloud and cam lubrication system as they travel through the crank case.  Due to less than 100% effective air/oil separation in the stock PCV system, some oil mist and water vapor gets carried back to the intake tract and over time cause oil deposits in the intake manifold, intake ports, and on the back of intake valves.  All will eventually lead to poor performance and reduced fuel economy, and the presence of this oil mist in the intake charge may even increase the risk of engine-damaging detonation. 

With forced induction, track use, and/or extended high RPM usage, these symptoms increase as the factory PCV system is overwhelmed, and a catch can becomes a must for your E46 M3. This kit is a direct fit making this an easy reversal if desired as well as maintaining a clean appearance by utilizing the open "smuggler's compartment" on the passenger side of the engine bay.

*Click here for catch can instructions*

Features:

• 6061-T6 billet machined body, anodized black for lasting protection and appearance
• Strategically positioned 4 chamber baffle system maximizes oil / air separation 
• Knurled and black anodized oil dipstick makes inspecting oil volume of reservoir clean and simple
• Sealed with a pre-installed viton o-Ring
• Includes 2.5mm allen key to remove baffle plates for cleaning
• Engineered to create multiple changes in the direction of airflow within the separator to cause oil droplets to fall out of suspension before exiting the catch can
• Closed / recirculated design reduces oil ingestion and promotes cleaner emissions and odor-less operation
• Valved drainage system - no removal of can necessary to empty

This oil filter housing cap is constructed from high-quality billet aluminum, complete with a black anodized finish for added corrosion resistance. Designed specifically for the S54, this lid replaces the OE part and accepts the OE o-ring.

This part features two 1/8-27 NPT holes that can be used to incorporate oil temperature and oil pressure sensors. Port plugs are included to block off the ports if they are not being used.

Machined with care in-house at VAC Motorsports for perfect fitment, these lids are a perfect replacement for enthusiasts looking to seamlessly integrate oil temperature and pressure sensors without tapping into their oil pan.