PCV valve failure on Macht Schnell Stage 2

[El_Duderino]

Hey folks,

So, I have a Macht Schnell Stage 2 kit on my E92 M3. This evening, on a whim, I popped the hood and noticed that the intake charge pipe had partially disconnected from the engine. I loosened the clamps and reconnected the charge pipe.

However, I then noticed that the OEM PCV system which connects into the Macht Schnell charge pipe had also become disconnected. It appears that the adapter piece on the charge pipe, basically, fell off -- you can see where the adhesive that Macht Schnell uses to hold the adapter in place failed. So, essentially, the PCV tube is flapping in the breeze.

Do I need to get this thing towed or is it ok to drive to the shop where I had it all installed?

Thanks in advance.

El Duderino

[THE TECH]

PCV should be a non-issue. Feel free to drive it. Let us know how it goes.

[erm324]

Ive had the same issue with the chargepipe, it always fell off until i readjusted it...seems like its a common issue

[phrogbubbaE92]

i just used some epoxy and it hasnt fell off since.

[El_Duderino]

Thanks for the responses, folks. Will likely use high-temp resistant epoxy to secure the adapter back onto the intake charge pipe. Not a huge amount of faith in Macht Schnell build quality...

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by El_Duderino

Thanks for the responses, folks. Will likely use high-temp resistant epoxy to secure the adapter back onto the intake charge pipe. Not a huge amount of faith in Macht Schnell build quality...

This is a very old design, the MS intakes have moved into a threaded unit since. I do not recommend repair as they have been replacing them for the newer version.

Where was your intake originally purchased from? Feel free to PM me if needed.

[El_Duderino]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

This is a very old design, the MS intakes have moved into a threaded unit since. I do not recommend repair as they have been replacing them for the newer version.

Where was your intake originally purchased from? Feel free to PM me if needed.

PM sent.

[El_Duderino]

So, as an update:

1) Multiple attempts at securing intake charge pipe (adjusting worm clamps, adjusting rubber seals, etc.) but, with mildly aggressive driving, the charge pipe would pop off the engine intake.

2) Took the car over to my local tuner who have extensive mod experience. They dismantled and reinstalled the MS system. Took it for a test drive and, sure enough, the charge pipe popped off again.

3) Contacted MS x2 with no response over several days. Phenomenal customer service

4) Ended up using the OEM charge pipe while retaining the MS filter. The OEM charge pipe fits significantly better and, unsurprisingly, isn't prone to popping off under engine load. I highly doubt that, per the MS marketing materials, the glossy interior of their charge pipe and the 17% volume increase makes a huge difference -- particularly when the thing pops off leaving a nice gaping hole for unfiltered air to enter the engine. Although, come to think of it, that would increase throttle responsiveness -- perhaps, the gaping leak every time the charge pipe comes off is responsible for their marginal dyno improvements

So, in conclusion, this is my first and last experience with Macht Schnell. Crappy customer service, and even crappier manufacturing. I can't imagine it's that difficult to conceptualize a charge pipe with accordioned rubber end pieces (as on the OEM component) to allow for some engine movement without the whole thing coming apart. And the glued on PCV adapter is, quite simply, an absolute joke. What did they think was going to happen over time to that adhesive when it's positioned a few inches away from a hot engine block? Geniuses.

To those of you who managed to get the Stage 2 to work...hats off to you...but you may want to check under your hood every so often

[erm324]

I had the same experience and it kept popping off non-stop.....I decided once and for all to COMPLETELY disassemble the kit and reinstall and it hasnt popped off since....it has to be seated correctly with the clamps not TOO tight....its a great mod

[El_Duderino]

Originally Posted by erm324

I had the same experience and it kept popping off non-stop.....I decided once and for all to COMPLETELY disassemble the kit and reinstall and it hasnt popped off since....it has to be seated correctly with the clamps not TOO tight....its a great mod

Believe me, I gave it a shot...several times over. The kit was disassembled and reassembled. I checked to make sure the clamps were not over-tightened. I just don't think there is enough overlap between the ends of the charge pipe and the rubber seals. All it takes is a half inch of movement in any direction and the charge pipe comes off again.

I am, however, glad to hear that you managed to get it to work. You must agree though that it should not be this fidgety. Incredibly low tolerances for a product that is designed for end-user installation.

[erm324]

you are right 100%....i was getting so impatient always popping the hood and seeing it pop off....i said to myself if it didnt stick the last time Id swap it out for the stock one lol...heres what happened to me, tom@eas put some input on there maybe the thread can help:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=596008

[El_Duderino]

Originally Posted by erm324

you are right 100%....i was getting so impatient always popping the hood and seeing it pop off....i said to myself if it didnt stick the last time Id swap it out for the stock one lol...heres what happened to me, tom@eas put some input on there maybe the thread can help:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=596008

Thanks for the link. Frankly, I'm in agreement with some of "A-team's" comments in the thread you linked -- a reputable company should be able to engineer such a simple component so that it does not slip off.

If the assembly is so tenuous, how can one ensure that the components are maintaining an airtight seal during aggressive driving when there are dynamic stresses and movement across the system?

I think I will stick to the OEM charge pipe for now -- too many unknowns with the MS system to risk damage to a $25K engine.

[SEI]

my intake keeps popping off aswell.. i disassembled it reassembled it no problems for abt a few weeks then today the engine sounded super loud popped open the hood and the pipe fell off along with the pcv valve also broke off and can see the glue... screw this intake...

so just to confirm i can just replace the pipe with the oem one and the MS filter still fits in there?

[El_Duderino]

Yes, SEI, that is correct. The MS charge pipe can be replaced with the OEM one.

[///M_Monster]

Would you guys recommend the MS Stage I kit at all? I'm curious if the "scoops" are worth anything...

[BMWJ]

Originally Posted by ///M_Monster

Would you guys recommend the MS Stage I kit at all? I'm curious if the "scoops" are worth anything...

no, the car already has a giant scoop from the factory.

[SEI]

Originally Posted by BMWJ

no, the car already has a giant scoop from the factory.

huh really where? (do not say the hole from the bottom of the bumper)

[BMRLVR]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

This is a very old design, the MS intakes have moved into a threaded unit since. I do not recommend repair as they have been replacing them for the newer version.

Where was your intake originally purchased from? Feel free to PM me if needed.

Why do you say they??? It is well known that EAS and MS is owned by the same people....... Why wouldn't you say we???

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by BMRLVR

Why do you say they??? It is well known that EAS and MS is owned by the same people....... Why wouldn't you say we???

Interesting. I didn't know that.

[BMWJ]

Originally Posted by SEI

huh really where? (do not say the hole from the bottom of the bumper)

hole from bottom of bumper, or do you have a different name for that???

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by BMWJ

hole from bottom of bumper, or do you have a different name for that???

He said that that was not considered a scoop.

[BMWJ]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

He said that that was not considered a scoop.

ohhh.... well since he said so it must be true