CCV delete vs Cold Weather CCV upgrade

[Fenrir]

Hey guys, I've been slowly upgrading or replacing the old/needed parts for my car and I've been debating. With the winters in NM being fairly unforgiving in recent years, I've been looking at upgrading my car's CCV to the Cold Weather version or just deleting it altogether.

I'm familiar with the upsides to doing the delete and I've looked at quite a few diy's (Smolk's for example) and a few kits. I'm just trying to decide whether I should pull the trigger on doing this or not. I'm not worried about smog as I don't have to deal with it here and I've no cats anyways so moot issue there. My biggest issue is that I'd hate for the temps to drop here again ,as we're at over 4500ft here, and have my car hydro lock.

Any input as far as long term experience with the ccv delete? Positives and negatives, if any, are appreciated. I'm just trying to get some info before I decide what to do.

[ryankokesh]

I don't have experience myself, but have only heard folks say positive things about the delete.


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[CarbonZHP]

I don't have experience myself, but have only heard folks say positive things about the delete.


Sent from my iPhone

:thumbup Effin love mine. Wish Id done it sooner

[mbeckel]

I think with the combo of when it gets cold mixed with the altitude, it could be a recipe for disaster. I'd go with the cold weather ccv

[Fenrir]

Thanks for the replies guys :).



I think with the combo of when it gets cold mixed with the altitude, it could be a recipe for disaster. I'd go with the cold weather ccv

Do you think the delete will suffer the same cold weather issues as the standard ccv? While it doesn't stay cold for long here, it will drop below freezing for a bit and this is my dd right now.

[mbeckel]

Thanks for the replies guys :).




Do you think the delete will suffer the same cold weather issues as the standard ccv? While it doesn't stay cold for long here, it will drop below freezing for a bit and this is my dd right now.
That is what would worry me. And with the extra vacuum the delete provides, hydro-lock could very well happen in cold temps.

[mbeckel]

The upgrade to cold weather ccv is easy. Just put the cold weather ccv kit in place of the current and you're rolling

[Fenrir]

The upgrade to cold weather ccv is easy. Just put the cold weather ccv kit in place of the current and you're rolling

Sweet. Thanks again :). Time to start pricing the cold weather ccv's and throw one on in the next few months.

[mbeckel]

Sweet. Thanks again. Time to start pricing the cold weather ccv's and throw one on in the next few months.
NP. You have some time before winter, the weather is crazy hot here! I have a DIY from when I did my ccv if you need any help. Also, Bavauto.com has videos on it as well.

[Fenrir]

NP. You have some time before winter, the weather is crazy hot here! I have a DIY from when I did my ccv if you need any help. Also, Bavauto.com has videos on it as well.

Yeah I don't envy your weather right now lol. We're hoping for more rain before the end of the season. I will certainly check out your diy :)

[HokieZHP]

I went with the cold weather on my old ZHP just so that if the car went north when I sold it the owner would be in good shape. Install wasn't bad at all

[Fenrir]

^^^ Awesome. I've been pricing parts and saving diy's to get ready do it in a few months. If I get totally lost with the install somehow there's a reputable Indie Euro/Import shop nearby I'll take it to. Overall the most difficult part seems to be fitting the new ccv with the extra foam. This should be a good learning experience.

[ryankokesh]

^^^ Awesome. I've been pricing parts and saving diy's to get ready do it in a few months. If I get totally lost with the install somehow there's a reputable Indie Euro/Import shop nearby I'll take it to. Overall the most difficult part see,s to be fitting the new ccv with the extra foam. This should be a good learning experience.

I honestly didn't find the foam to be that big of an issues. Just make sure you watch the bav auto 3 part series like twenty times. Or, if unlike me you're competent, maybe thee times.


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[Fenrir]

^^ Rofl ok :)

[Silber92]

I just installed the cold weather CCV on my vert, and while it isn't too horrible, it's not something I'd want to do again any time real soon.

Here's a couple of things from my experience, apologies if they're covered elsewhere or what's already on your agenda:

I found it much easier to get at everything by removing the OFH. Now is the best time to replace a $5 gasket that can make a hell of a mess if it leaks. Granted it does involve a couple of additional steps and parts to remove, but it frees up a ton of space, plus you can clean that side of the engine while you're in there.

Make sure the hoses are seated in place completely. I was surprised at the number of times I thought I had a hose on fully, only to manipulate it a little more and hear a telltale 'click' of it seating home.

I initially had a bear of a time getting the dip stick and o-ring reinstalled. After nicking one o-ring, I took a closer look at the orifice on the block and realized that was my problem. Even though I had wiped it out with a rag, there was enough oxidation on the metal to be a problem. I stuffed a piece of rag in the hole to keep debris out, and cleaned it with 220, 320 and finally 400 grit emery paper. After that, I was able to fit the dip stick tube with no problem. 500 miles later no leaks or issues either.

Good luck!

[Fenrir]

I just installed the cold weather CCV on my vert, and while it isn't too horrible, it's not something I'd want to do again any time real soon.

Here's a couple of things from my experience, apologies if they're covered elsewhere or what's already on your agenda:

I found it much easier to get at everything by removing the OFH. Now is the best time to replace a $5 gasket that can make a hell of a mess if it leaks. Granted it does involve a couple of additional steps and parts to remove, but it frees up a ton of space, plus you can clean that side of the engine while you're in there.

Make sure the hoses are seated in place completely. I was surprised at the number of times I thought I had a hose on fully, only to manipulate it a little more and hear a telltale 'click' of it seating home.

I initially had a bear of a time getting the dip stick and o-ring reinstalled. After nicking one o-ring, I took a closer look at the orifice on the block and realized that was my problem. Even though I had wiped it out with a rag, there was enough oxidation on the metal to be a problem. I stuffed a piece of rag in the hole to keep debris out, and cleaned it with 220, 320 and finally 400 grit emery paper. After that, I was able to fit the dip stick tube with no problem. 500 miles later no leaks or issues either.

Good luck!

Thank you very much :)! The advice is much appreciated.


I know I've said it before but this forum rocks. On other car forums ,even ones which I've been a member for years, I've been flamed for asking a "dumb" question and had the usual troll responses. I'd rather ask a dumb question than lose my car. This forum..correction.. family, continues to blow me away. Every time I run into a wall with my car you guys have been more than willing to offer experience and advice. It makes a seemingly daunting task turn into a weekend afternoon project with a dash of patience. Thanks again and you guys are awesome :thumbup.

[WOLFN8TR]

Never worry about asking questions here thats how we learn. I didnt know shit about BMW's when I joined just a few years ago. The members on here helped me immensely!

[CarbonZHP]

Do the catch can :shifty

[Fenrir]

Do the catch can :shifty

I want to.. Riiiight up until it gets 28 degrees again here lol. When I get another DD I'll do the catch can lol.

[Dave1027]

The catch can setup, by it's nature, completely eliminates cold weather issues. The problem with the CCV (regular or cold version) is that it routes stuff (including water condensation) back to the oil via the dip stick tube. This is why cars in cold humid climates have a hard time with mayo build up. With a catch can it's completely separated. The oil stays much cleaner. For me it's a no brainer.

[alexandre]

The problem with the catch can is that it catches humidity. Any build-up in the can is going to freeze. Too much stuff in the can = hydrolock on a cold start. With our -15F winters up here that's why I strayed away from the mod. Would 100% do it if I lived a few hundred miles south though.

[mbeckel]

The catch can setup, by it's nature, completely eliminates cold weather issues. The problem with the CCV (regular or cold version) is that it routes stuff (including water condensation) back to the oil via the dip stick tube. This is why cars in cold humid climates have a hard time with mayo build up. With a catch can it's completely separated. The oil stays much cleaner. For me it's a no brainer.
He's not dealing with the humidity nearly as much in New Mexico at altitude tho. Where I am in Houston would make for sense to use the catch can

[Fenrir]

The issue for me is that we almost always have wet winters because our rainy season is at the end of summer and lasts through fall and we're getting poured on already. When winter hits the humidity will have kicked up a few notches and things get very cold very fast as soon as night falls. Being that the Cold Weather CCV is just that, I'll be going that route for now. The catch can is still a future mod, but not until I have another daily car and can afford to take this one off the road if the need should ever arise. If I move back to VA or FLA you can bet I'll do the catch can faster than I can blink. But for now even though the rest of the year is more than great weather for one, it's the few months that this area gets bitterly cold that worries me. Heated garage, no problem. I don't have a garage right now so CW CCV it is.... for now.... :shift