2007 530XI CrankCase Breather Hose

[XeQshunR]

Hello all, I just recently got the balls to fix my Valve Cover Gasket and while I was there I figured I would change my Coils and Sparks while I am at it. Everything was going well until it was time to put everything back together. The CrankCase Breather Hose cracked about 2 inches from the connection point at the valve cover. Good news is it broke inside the foam insulation so it 'sort of' is still connected. Here is my question. I have the new CrankCase Breather Hose in hand, but looking at this thing and how to connect it up I see people taking the intake out. Do I actually need to pull the intake off to install the new CrankCase Breather Hose or can it be simply swapped? Also has anyone actually accomplished this themselves? And since I am here anyone located in Virginia that is willing to be a sounding board/mechanic buddy? I like doing my own work but I fear killing my baby! Any and all advice you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

[jclausen]

Or you may need to loosen the intake but not really remove it

[XeQshunR]

Or you may need to loosen the intake but not really remove it

Have you ever done this? (loosen the intake) I imagine there to be some form of gasket between the two which would naturally need to be replaced in this event no?

[White94RX]

I would recommend replacing the intake gaskets, but it's not usually necessary if they stay in place properly and don't get damaged in anyway. You could also try removing the alternator and going in from the front, but removing the intake is probably easier than that.