I need to check these as apparently they split often. How easy are they to get to? Does the Inlet manifold need to come off completely? And how easy is it to determine which pipes are which?

The lower breather, which connects to the upper breather (y pipe) was a real sod to get to the connectors. I took it to a VAG specialist in the end, who decided that to do it properly they needed to take the manifold off. Not sure about the other pipes, but imagine it would be the same kind of hassle.

Take the engine cover off and the plastic cover round the dipstick, there's 2 breathers by the dipstick, the y pipe is on the end of the rocker cover and has a plastic pipe that runs from it. You can get to all the pipe work without removing the inlet but it's fiddly (unless you've removed the SAI,n249,n112) then it's easy

Thanks for the answers. will attempt to have a look tomorrow.

Thanks for the answers. will attempt to have a look tomorrow.

If you're just checking them it's not too bad you'll be able too feel and see if they're split.

I had to change mine and it was a bit tricky. One note of caution, if you remove the metal plate which supports the top of dipstick tube, be really careful you don't snap it. They're made of plastic and are prone to getting brittle and snapping.

that's what happened to my mk3 golf ! I'll try to be careful.

Take the engine cover off and the plastic cover round the dipstick, there's 2 breathers by the dipstick, the y pipe is on the end of the rocker cover and has a plastic pipe that runs from it. You can get to all the pipe work without removing the inlet but it's fiddly (unless you've removed the SAI,n249,n112) then it's easy

+1

The lower plastic pipe that comes off the Y piece if that is split is a tricky part to get to at.

Best bet is whan covers are off you have then undo the black metal bracket attached to the inlet manifold shown here.

With that bracket pulled to one side you can see pipework under the manifold(need good light) Replace mine with blue silicon hose.

Here is the old y piece with a new silicon one i purchased some time back before i lated fitted a Oil Catch Can to give you a idea where it is

Edited 16 January, 201115 yr by Bowders1

Also, click on this link. It's from when I had to replace mine. Together with the fun and games that go with it!!

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/182095-oil-breather-pipe-part-numbers/page__gopid__2191147entry2191147

repacing mine next weekend cause its split

good tutorial here

http://forums.vwvort...e-install-pics!

replacing mine for the silicone version in the above tutorial

Thanks for replies. Had a go at this last week but couldnt move the bracket! Just it just swing round?

Does anybody know the part number for the 90 degree bend of plastic that comes out of crank case breather by any chance as mine snapped at weekend when i was removing air pump and egr valve,

Or does anybody know if you can get a metal replacement for it as Ive ordered silicon replacements for rest of pipes

I think it's 06A103 213 F but you might want to check this. I am looking at replacing mine as it's looking a bit fragile. Does it just lift out or is there a clip?

Dont know didnt dare take it out after one end snapped off, am going to get a new one before i remove it from breather box incase it drops to bits, but i think there is a clip holding it in,

Would still like a metal replacement if i can find anybody that makes one

Another benefit of removing the SAI hoses, N249, N112 and that metal plate. Job would have been pretty easy by then. Would have saved me 2 hours of labour at a garage.

TBH though i was under the impression that the lower breather rarely splits as it's tucked out of the way. What went with mine was the metal inner link between the lower and upper breather which just turned to mush and snapped.

It prob does but i was trying to get the metal vac pipes off from side of engine and tried to ease breather out of way and snapped it and when i tried cleaning t piece up to bodge it back together other side snapped off aswell,

Ended up spending an hour fabricating some pipe to fit so the car would be driveable

...

Or does anybody know if you can get a metal replacement for it as Ive ordered silicon replacements for rest of pipes

Yes!

I have this:

Not cheap tho compared to the stock plastic bit

http://www.intengineering.com/Billet-Aluminum-Breather-p8914999-1-2.html

Why am i telling myself that i need to have one of these too :S

It's bad enough trying to make the outside of the car look nice, now i'm impressed by a bit of engine pipework. :|

Why am i telling myself that i need to have one of these too :S

It's bad enough trying to make the outside of the car look nice, now i'm impressed by a bit of engine pipework. :|

It's terrible isn't it? You can hardly even see it too. My engine bay is well tarty. Still a work in progress:

Looking good..........Actually looking great.

repacing mine next weekend cause its split

good tutorial here

http://forums.vwvort...e-install-pics!

replacing mine for the silicone version in the above tutorial

The link doesn't seem to work. Could someone post another one please?