on my 88 740GLE, B230F automatic, Im consuming/losing oil at the rate of ~1 qt every 1000-1500 miles. Everywhere I park Im leaving small amounts of oil on the ground. When I checked inside of the plastic accordian air intake tube, I found a pool of oil inside of it. I clean it out completely later found that it had pooled again. The flame trape and associated hoses were replaced but the porblem is still present. Compression of all 4 cylinders are ~170 and there doesn't seem to be very much blow by coming out of the oil filler cap. After driving the car, upon exiting, there's a burning smell. Probably due to the oil hitting the exhaust system. Do I need to replace the oil seperator unit? Any ideas?

thanks,
Chris

Oil separator may be plugged and can be removed and cleaned: see the 700/900 FAQ. Are your seals OK?

all the front seals seem ok but Im not sure about the rear main seal. Ill try cleaning out the oil seperator see if that does the trick. Im in the middle of a tranny swap on my 240 and Im not looking forward to dropping the tranny out of the 740 for the rear main. thanks a lot

The oil can go only a few places. I suspect that you've indeed got a plugged breather system. Make sure as well that all the intake nipples and hoses are free and clear.

i would bet that it is the oil seperator.....remeber as far as "blow by" as detected at the oil filler cap....remember that on your engine there should actually be vacuum there!!!!!! no positive pressure at all if there is pressure there, even slight pressure, and all the hoses to the flame trap have been cleaned and the flame trap itself is opperable....remove that oil seperator.....i recomend just tossing it and replaceing it and the o-ring that seals it to the block...For a year mine leaked at a similar rate, but only at speeds over 60mph or when 3 or more people were in the car....I replaced the seperator 2 weeks ago and have driven over 700 miles since and not a drop has been lost. total cost was about $27 from fcpgrotton for the oil seperator, the o-ring and shipping. I had some hi-temp silicone laying around so I sued that too....good luck