SES light (ccv valve) intermittent....?

[Honolulu]

"Service Engine Soon" light is on and a code points to the CCV, no surprise on a 2002 325xi with 100kmiles. But the light isn't always on... now I wonder before I go in fairly deep (not worrying about that, can handle), whether replacing the hoses and ccv is really the ticket.

Can these things be intermittent? I though once they were internally gunked up, the SES light would be on full time until the device is cleaned out or replaced.

Anyone care to comment?

[MarcoZandrini]

You need to scan the engine computer (DME) for codes. The codes will remain in the DME even if the SES light goes out. The CCV typically needs replacing every 50k miles or so. Its hoses tend to get brittle and the CCV itself gets clogged.

[Honolulu]

Thanks Marco. I have access to a generic code reader so I don't use it frequently. I understand the a code "goes away" if the fault does not recur within a certain number of drive cycles, but not sure that it is erased from memory, or only that the indicator no longer lights up.

At any rate ccv replacement seems in my future. Car starts and runs smoothly but mileage is cr*P. Could be other issues on a fifteen year old car that I'm catching up to, maintenance-wise, but the valve is the prime suspect according to the code I got, and forgot.

[shoman24v]

There is no code for CCV failure, but it could cause other codes. When it fails, there will be a vacuum leak in the engine. You need to replace all of the CCV and it's parts as soon as possible if any of the lines are cracked. I don't recommend buying an aftermarket CCV. You can with the hoses though.

Be prepared to spend a day on the replacement.

See my thread: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1124584