PSA: East coast cars, check your fuel evap y-pipe

[ChapterM3]

Found this lovely little Fuel evap Y-pipe in the passenger rear wheel well completely rusted out by absolute chance as I had my mechanic take a look at my subframe. This is located behind the passenger rear wheel arch cover. Considering it's fuel evap, I replaced it immediately and just wanted to let you guys know to check yours as well.

My car was originally owned and garaged in Long Island, NY, then lived in Boston, MA for 4 years before it came to California with me in 2022. Even though it saw minimal salt/snow for the most part, this thing still was standing out like a sore thumb as total east coast rust.

Edit - also to add: I didn't have a CEL or any symptom, just spotted this by chance.

Part number(s) -
- Y-pipe (Called a Distribution Piece) - 16-13-7-177-237
- (2) Hose Clamp - 10.8-13.3 mm Range / 7 mm Width (Crimp Type) - 41-1-156-956-BOE
- (1) Hose Clamp - 12.8-15.3 mm Range (Crimp Type) - 16-12-1-180-240-BOE

Price I paid as of this post for above - $187.48 (plus tax)

Here's what it looked like when we found it -

[Obioban]

While I agree that looks crunchy, I don't think I've ever heard of a single example of it becoming a problem? Pipe might just be thick enough that the surface is rusting and that's just fine.

If it was a $10 part I could see it, but looks to be a $180 part.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-distribution-piece-16137177237

[Nate047]

Yea man TBH mine looks like that and I definitely just left it. There's enough places to spend money with these cars.

[ChapterM3]

I hear you guys but of course still replaced it already. Not messing around with East Coast Rust and fuel evap, even for the next 10 years I didn’t wanna have it on my mind. But all good to each their own. Felt it was still worth to post to let the community know in case others feel the same as I do

[CrookedCommie]

If you don't want to pay $180 for the bmw y pipe, you can split it using a standard brass T fuel splitter. All of those lines can be replaced by good quality fuel lines available in standard sizes and oetiker clamps.