DIY Vacuum Canister Filter Fix for broken nipple

Kaz26 · 05-25-2018, 02:38 PM

It is true that some people run without these and don't seem to have any obvious issues, however, I personally believe that will result in your vacuum pump duty cycle going up which could cause it to die sooner. Whatever the case, I prefer to keep mine.

One of the nipples on mine broke and I looked for brass fittings to replace it with, but couldn't find any locally so I decided to glue it. This is what I did to ensure a longer lasting solution:

I matched a drill to the base of the broken nipple diameter and drilled into the area it broken off from. You can start with a slightly smaller drill size and then use a larger one if it's not bit enough. Don't drill too deep, it just needs to be enough to hold onto the end of the nipple, and make sure it fits snug. After you have the right size, take 100 grit sand paper and lightly rough up the end of the nipple that will fit into the canister. Then clean the contact areas with rubbing alcohol and apply the glue. Superglue will probably work fine, but I used 2-part, 5 minute epoxy to ensure it won't break again. Only apply glue to the outside of the nipple portion so that it has no way of plugging the airway. Then push it into place and let the glue cure. I added a little glue to the outside for good measure.

smass · 05-25-2018, 03:20 PM

Good write up. Home Depot and Lowes plumbing section also have brass and plastic fittings that can be used.

jwalker87 · 05-25-2018, 06:23 PM

Both are valid fixes. I just bought new ones.

Kaz26 · 05-25-2018, 10:07 PM

New canisters are a good way to go too since they are cheap, but I didn't feel like waiting for a part or driving to the dealership. It's good to know home depot has them, I went to AZ, then a specialty racing shop and when they said I needed to order online, so I did that, but didn't want to wait. It seems to be holding fine, so I'll run it until another one breaks off.

n0tm3 · 05-25-2018, 10:11 PM

Great DIY! I used JB weld to fix one of mine awhile back. Broke it clean off when the stock vacuum line wouldn't come off.

mweisdorfer · 05-26-2018, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n0tm3

Great DIY! I used JB weld to fix one of mine awhile back. Broke it clean off when the stock vacuum line wouldn't come off.

There is a DIY for this where you use brass fittings. More durable as a result.

Kaz26 · 06-11-2018, 02:49 PM

Agreed, brass fittings are a better option, but if you want to repair it and aren't able to get brass fittings in a timely manner, and you already have epoxy of JB weld, this will suffice.

05-25-2018, 02:38 PM	#1
Kaz26 Second Lieutenant 34 Rep 295 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Alpinweiß Sedan Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	DIY Vacuum Canister Filter Fix for broken nipple It is true that some people run without these and don't seem to have any obvious issues, however, I personally believe that will result in your vacuum pump duty cycle going up which could cause it to die sooner. Whatever the case, I prefer to keep mine. One of the nipples on mine broke and I looked for brass fittings to replace it with, but couldn't find any locally so I decided to glue it. This is what I did to ensure a longer lasting solution: I matched a drill to the base of the broken nipple diameter and drilled into the area it broken off from. You can start with a slightly smaller drill size and then use a larger one if it's not bit enough. Don't drill too deep, it just needs to be enough to hold onto the end of the nipple, and make sure it fits snug. After you have the right size, take 100 grit sand paper and lightly rough up the end of the nipple that will fit into the canister. Then clean the contact areas with rubbing alcohol and apply the glue. Superglue will probably work fine, but I used 2-part, 5 minute epoxy to ensure it won't break again. Only apply glue to the outside of the nipple portion so that it has no way of plugging the airway. Then push it into place and let the glue cure. I added a little glue to the outside for good measure. Attached Images
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05-25-2018, 03:20 PM	#2
smass Lieutenant Colonel 398 Rep 1,579 Posts Drives: 06 325i - 10 335i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 E90 335i [0.00] 2016 F15 35i [0.00] 2003 E53 3.0 [0.00] 2006 E90 325i [0.00]	Good write up. Home Depot and Lowes plumbing section also have brass and plastic fittings that can be used.
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05-25-2018, 06:23 PM	#3
jwalker87 Major 319 Rep 1,023 Posts Drives: '08 335i, '11 335xi, '01 Z3M Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (2)	Both are valid fixes. I just bought new ones. __________________ 2001 e36/7 M Roadster 5spd 2008 e90 335i 6spd 2011 e90 335xi 6spd 2011 e70 x5 diesel 2010 Ducati Monster 696
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05-25-2018, 10:07 PM	#4
Kaz26 Second Lieutenant 34 Rep 295 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Alpinweiß Sedan Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	New canisters are a good way to go too since they are cheap, but I didn't feel like waiting for a part or driving to the dealership. It's good to know home depot has them, I went to AZ, then a specialty racing shop and when they said I needed to order online, so I did that, but didn't want to wait. It seems to be holding fine, so I'll run it until another one breaks off.
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05-25-2018, 10:11 PM	#5
n0tm3 could-be bmw tech 17 Rep 71 Posts Drives: %E2%80%9809 335i Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: SC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 435i xdrive [10.00] 2009 BMW 335i [10.00]	Great DIY! I used JB weld to fix one of mine awhile back. Broke it clean off when the stock vacuum line wouldn't come off.
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06-11-2018, 02:49 PM	#7
Kaz26 Second Lieutenant 34 Rep 295 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Alpinweiß Sedan Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Agreed, brass fittings are a better option, but if you want to repair it and aren't able to get brass fittings in a timely manner, and you already have epoxy of JB weld, this will suffice.
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