Pre-heated crankcase ventilation system architecture

A method of maintaining blow-by gas from a crankcase of an engine within a desired temperature range when passing through an oil separating apparatus, the method comprising:

• passing the blow-by gas from the crankcase to the oil separating apparatus;
• supplying a liquid from a liquid source through the oil separating apparatus, wherein within the oil separating apparatus the liquid is in a heat transfer relationship with the blow-by gas passing through the oil separating apparatus and maintains the blow-by gas at a desired temperature range;
• separating oil from the blow-by gas with the oil separating apparatus;
• passing the oil separated by the oil separating apparatus to the crankcase;
• and
• returning the liquid to the liquid source.

An engine comprising:

• a crankcase having a blow-by gas passing therethrough;
• an on engine liquid source containing one of engine coolant or engine lube oil heated prior to startup of the engine to a first desired temperature range;
• and
• an oil separating apparatus in fluid communication with the blow-by gas and having a coalescing filter to separate oil from the blow-by gas, wherein separate from the blow-by gas and the coalescing filter, the oil separating apparatus is in fluid communication with the liquid source to receive the one of engine coolant or engine lube oil, wherein the one of engine coolant or engine lube oil is passed through the oil separating apparatus in a heat exchange relationship with the blow-by gas to maintain a second desired temperature range for the blow-by gas.