Help needed over Z3 2.2 air inlet hoses

[Bumpa]

In a previous thread I mentioned that the air intake hoses on my 2002 Z3 2.2 sport (M54 engine) were perished and are the likely cause of the MIL light being on.

I have been to my local BMW dealer to buy replacements and have run into a problem. According to RealOEM and to the dealer's computers, the curved piece immediately behind the big air box should be 13541705209 which looks like this.

But my car has an additional closed air box below this elbow, and the elbow has an extra opening that fits onto the box. I have circled the piece in green in my other picture. The spares guy went into the workshop and asked the mechanics who told him such a piece is only found on 5 series cars, yet I am pretty certain my car is as it was from new.

Can anyone shed any light on this peculiarity? I can't see the function of the lower box as it is completely closed apart from where it joins the elbow. The spares guy and mechanic reckoned it would run fine if I left the box out and used the ordinary elbow, and I'm tempted to go down that route, but I don't want to risk running into problems with the MIL light.

Meanwhile the dealer is going to contact BMW to ask for advice and get back to me next week. What's the opinion of the experts on here?

 

[Sp02zbr]

I had the same problem. But managed to get the right pipe even tho it doesn’t do anything I was told

 

[mrscalex]

I think it’s a resonator. One of my 2.2s definitely has it. My 3.0 doesn’t.

So unless we both have 5 Series retrofits I think it’s a standard variation.

But I agree it’s not shown on realoem.

I’m in Swansea currently with another 2.2. I’ll check that when we’re back from the beach and try and get a part number for you.

If that doesn’t have the resonator (if that’s what is) I’ll see if I can get the part number off the 2.2 back in Swindon which I know has it.

Btw I recently bought the equivalent (but different fit) 3rd Party part for my 3.0 and it seemed tidy enough. It was half the price. £12 v £25.

The lower hose is also worth taking off and checking while you’re at it. That’s cheaper at BMW than the upper hose and the same price as 3rd party. £12.

 

[mrscalex]

Might have meant silencer rather than resonator.

 

[Bumpa]

Thanks for the reply. The part number is 13541435625 - at least that's what is stamped on the damaged piece I have removed. Do you think it would be OK without the "resonator"? Or is the system going to complain?

As for the lower hose, do you mean the other bit that's shown in my photo, part number 13541435627? If so I already have a new one. £12.90 from BMW, VAT included. Cheaper than many on ebay.

I much prefer my 1960s and 1970s cars. No computers to confuse the issue! Enjoy the beach. Here in SW Scotland we have actually reached 18 celcius today. It didn't get above about 14 yesterday. Why did I buy a convertible?

 

[Sp02zbr]

I bought both parts bits aswell. But the bottom one seems a lot of hassle to change so left it alone.

 

[Bumpa]

I have to change mine as the side branch is split. You are right in that it is a right pain to get at the jubilee clips. Why wasn't I born with double jointed arms?

 

[mrscalex]

There is one very small place where both of the lower hose jubilee clips can be adequately accessed.

Which hopefully is also where the last person did them up from.

But you do have to feel whether the hose is sitting correctly as you won’t see that. And you need a decent light shining in where the jubilee clip screws are.

Well worth the agro in my view. My lower one was not far off going through.

 

[mrscalex]

Well the dogs had a lovely time on the beach.

Off home now so I’ll see if I can shed any light on the mystery by looking at mine.

 

[Sp02zbr]

Here’s the two I have.

The small one is the hard one to fit. And other is the wrong part for the 2.2

 

[mrscalex]

My 2.2 here in Swansea has the extra box.

But I can't see the part number without removing the hose. Which I will be doing at some point because guess what...

In fact I think I have a spare back in Swindon so will be using that. I'll check the part number on that. Strange yours has the 'wrong' part number on it. And it's unusual for realoem to be out of sync too. Will be nice to solve this little mystery.

 

[Sp02zbr]

The two pictures I posted are what is on the screen for a 2.2. And are what turn up when ordered from bmw.

Luckily I work for them so could get my mate in parts to track the right part and he had heard about this before

 

[Bumpa]

Do either of you think it would matter if I deleted the extra box and just used the ordinary hose? I can't see the car's computer noticing any difference. The reason I say this is because the extra box makes removing the air box that much more difficult, and as you know it has to come out to change a bulb in the headlight so easy removal is a GOOD thing.

 

[mrscalex]

I think it’s purely there as a silencer. I guess to cause some sort of breakup and deadening of the air as it moves around.

So I would guess it would be fine. I think it’s a self-contained unit that could be easily removed.

This may also help.

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2303011-Intake-Silencer-Delete