Question on Boxster Air Oil Separator

Having recently purchased a 1999 Boxster I noticed white smoke on start up and proceded to change oil separator and found that one of the spring clamps on the flexible hose was actually a regular hose clamp. I am sure that this is not recommended but would it effect the function of the oil separator in any way and would it contribute to the failure of the separator?? I also replaced the hose clamp with the correct spring clamp.

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[Nick at Pelican Parts]

A standard hose clamp should nt cause the separator to fail.

- Nick

[UNYboater]

When my AOS failed, there wasn't any slight smoke at start-up....there were BILLOWS of white smoke for as long as the engine was running!
But it wasn't a bad replacement, just a few hours of my time. I ordered the parts here & replaced the clamps at the same time.

[mikefocke]

As long as the clamp clamped, no impact on what kind of clamp used. Many use different clamps because they are easier to remove.

[bell]

I have a different opinion on screw clamps as opposed to the spring oem clamp.
I have had numerous times where I've had to replace the bellow when a screw clamp is used as some of the screw clamps cut into the bellow if overtightened.... which happens more than I like to see. ....
But even if the bellow is cut/open it would throw fuel trim codes and not smoke.

[jbirkett]

In regards to the clamp on the OA separator. I replaced mine a short while ago. During a discussion with the parts guy at local P-Car dealer he mentioned a 'new' clamp they sold and told me that the techs ALWAYS use it when replacing AO separator. This clamp has a blue plastic clip on it that when pulled off will allow the clamp to tighten. You just stick your finger through the round opening and pull, no pliers or screwdriver needed. Just buy chance I said to myself 'keep this' you might need it again. The other day I needed to remove the AO separator and managed to pull the bellow off without ripping it. I put the blue plastic clip back on to re-install the separator. That little blue clip that probably cost $.02 saved me a ton of time. The clamp was only a couple of bucks to start with, certainly not more than a screw clamp.

[bell]

There are specialty cable pliers for these clamps. .... pelican sells them iirc, they are extremely useful on these cars. ...

[lkchris]

Good idea to replace the clamp with the correct one anyway.

By their design, Oetiker and CLIC clamps will tighten to a given figure. Screw-type clamps, who knows? The engineers that designed the system know the figure. Many think these clamps are simply for easy of factory assembly, but that's not the real story. Lots of times official factory service manuals will caution against using any other than factory type clamps.

Most of us grew up in the baling wire/Model T/PepBoys automotive culture of the USA, and it is for sure a change in approach to abandon screw-type clamps.