New PCV leaks, so I'm thinking about...

[kenamond]

I'm trying to eliminate boost leaks, and I also happened to pick up a new Fram PCV valve just because I've never replaced this part.

So I do my boost test, and air is coming out of my valve cover breather. So I pull the PCV and repeat the test. Lots of air coming through the PCV. So I change it. New one leaks exactly as bad.

I've read several posts mentioning that OEM valves are better, and I inferred from this that non-OEM valves are unreliable (I have one data point confirming this! Fram is batting 000). I also read several posts suggesting that I remove the PCV while other posts (often responses to PCV removal posts) claimed that removing the PCV isn't the best solution.

What should I do?

1) I can just cut the PCV valve hose and plug both ends. The crankcase pressure can vent out the valve cover breather, so I'm not going to pop my dipstick tube out. My breather is currently VTA to keep oil out of my new IC system, but I don't yet have a filter/catch can - I know, I know, I'll get a catch can/filter.

2) I can order an OEM PCV, but many have had them fail very rapidly, and the fact that the brand spanking new valve I got today leaked horribly out of the box gives me less confidence in these valves in general.

3) I can hook my valve cover breather back up to my intake pipe so that I'll atleast recirc the metered air from the leaking PCV back into the system. Then I'll atleast run less rich but at the cost of overworking my compressor.

4) If I can find a PCV valve for a different vehicle which doesn't leak and has hose connections, I could gut my PCV and put the new PCV in-line between the valve cover and IM. This would be the best solution IMO, because it maintains the proper function/purpose of the PCV. Anyone ever do this and if so, is there some bulletproof PCV out there I should get?

I've also read about catch can/filter products that handle both the PCV and breather lines. Anyone have any recommendations on one of these? Cheaper is better as long as it serves its intended function.

I don't have anything on hand to plug the hoses for option #1 above, but I like that solution the best for the short term (fix the boost leak, give my compressor a break and my car some more oomph). Then I can order a catch can w/ filter that can recirc to my intake pipe. I guess at that point, there's no reason why I couldn't just thread a plug into my valve cover, cap the nipple on the IM, and throw away the PCV+hose.

Long term, I like #4 best, though. I could run the catch can still, but I'd just have to put the catch can between the VC and PCV so I don't boost my catch can.

Are there other options?

Thanks!

 

[kenamond]

So I go to Autozone this morning to grab another PCV valve. This time, I ask the guy if I can open it and see if it leaks. He says, "Okay," and I open it, and sure enough it leaks, too.

So I got a small worm clamp, bolt, fuel filter and some small pieces of hose, put the hose+filter off the PCV nipple and plugged the hose to the IM with the bolt+worm clamp. I'll add some RTV to the bolt/plug when I get home from work to get a better seal, and then I'll repeat my leak test. I got on it between Autozone and work, and checked that the bolt was still there when I parked it, and it held, so that's good.

Anyone have a good fix for this? I'd rather have a functioning PCV pulling vaccuum out of the IM at idle but not leaking like a sieve under boost.

I was looking at the Jaz catch cans for the valve cover breather and PCV (I'd just get 2 cans). Anyone use these? They seem like a good deal at ~$45. I also found a site describing how to make your own out of PVC.

 

[travislaw]

Buy your PCV from the dealer. The ones at autozone and other auto parts store weren't designed for holding boost pressure so they leak. The ones from the dealership are made better for the boosted cars. Plus they cost about the same.

 

[kenamond]

Buy your PCV from the dealer. The ones at autozone and other auto parts store weren't designed for holding boost pressure so they leak. The ones from the dealership are made better for the boosted cars. Plus they cost about the same.

There's no dealer in town. Do you know if I can order one online somewhere?

Thanks!

 

[t0ny007]

I'm trying to eliminate boost leaks, and I also happened to pick up a new Fram PCV valve just because I've never replaced this part.

So I do my boost test, and air is coming out of my valve cover breather. So I pull the PCV and repeat the test. Lots of air coming through the PCV. So I change it. New one leaks exactly as bad.

I've read several posts mentioning that OEM valves are better, and I inferred from this that non-OEM valves are unreliable (I have one data point confirming this! Fram is batting 000). I also read several posts suggesting that I remove the PCV while other posts (often responses to PCV removal posts) claimed that removing the PCV isn't the best solution.

What should I do?

1) I can just cut the PCV valve hose and plug both ends. The crankcase pressure can vent out the valve cover breather, so I'm not going to pop my dipstick tube out. My breather is currently VTA to keep oil out of my new IC system, but I don't yet have a filter/catch can - I know, I know, I'll get a catch can/filter.

2) I can order an OEM PCV, but many have had them fail very rapidly, and the fact that the brand spanking new valve I got today leaked horribly out of the box gives me less confidence in these valves in general.

3) I can hook my valve cover breather back up to my intake pipe so that I'll atleast recirc the metered air from the leaking PCV back into the system. Then I'll atleast run less rich but at the cost of overworking my compressor.

4) If I can find a PCV valve for a different vehicle which doesn't leak and has hose connections, I could gut my PCV and put the new PCV in-line between the valve cover and IM. This would be the best solution IMO, because it maintains the proper function/purpose of the PCV. Anyone ever do this and if so, is there some bulletproof PCV out there I should get?

I've also read about catch can/filter products that handle both the PCV and breather lines. Anyone have any recommendations on one of these? Cheaper is better as long as it serves its intended function.

I don't have anything on hand to plug the hoses for option #1 above, but I like that solution the best for the short term (fix the boost leak, give my compressor a break and my car some more oomph). Then I can order a catch can w/ filter that can recirc to my intake pipe. I guess at that point, there's no reason why I couldn't just thread a plug into my valve cover, cap the nipple on the IM, and throw away the PCV+hose.

Long term, I like #4 best, though. I could run the catch can still, but I'd just have to put the catch can between the VC and PCV so I don't boost my catch can.

Are there other options?

Thanks!

The PCV effectively and simplistically takes out unwanted, harmful blow-by in your crank case and removes it via vacuum in the intake manifold. This feature is not in function under WOT. In fact once the intake manifold reaches 1psi, it is theoretically closed and not in use. Taking out the PCV system seems pretty dumb to me.
http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224901

 

[kenamond]

The PCV effectively and simplistically takes out unwanted, harmful blow-by in your crank case and removes it via vacuum in the intake manifold. This feature is not in function under WOT. In fact once the intake manifold reaches 1psi, it is theoretically closed and not in use. Taking out the PCV system seems pretty dumb to me.
http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224901

Thanks, but in the 1.5 months since I posted that, I know all about PCV and have since installed a new OEM valve which doesn't leak and have fixed all boost leaks. Perhaps you didn't notice the date of the post.

 

[sobutter]

http://machv.com/1gdsmpcvvalve.html

oh haha i just read the post above me. o well

 

[Quasimondo]

There's no dealer in town. Do you know if I can order one online somewhere?

Thanks!

Try JNZ tuning

www.jnztuning.com