Your car's engine is complex, but enjoying your ride shouldn't be. Driving to Wilson park on a Sunday with the family should be an experience that is void of car troubles. The Torrance community is familiar with tune-ups and the parts that have to sometimes be replaced like the engines Air Filter. However, there are engine components that are less known and usually forgotten. One component people overlook during a vehicle maintenance inspection is the PCV valve. It helps your engine release and recirculate gasses. Click Here if you need engine components like your PCV vale checked of if it's time for a professional tune-up. A dysfunctional PCV valve can make your car run poorly and even cause your engine to leak oil! The following cooking analogy will help you understand the simplicity and importance of the PCV valve:
Some of the healthiest and most comforting meals ever created came from a crockpot. Cooking with one is pretty straight forward:
Fill it with water
Fill it with food
Close the top
Close the valve
Let the pressure rise
Release the valve
Serve your sustenance.
Your engine can cook up some “tasty performance” as well as pressure.
Just like a crockpot, your engine needs a way to release gasses and it does so with the help of a little automotive component called the PCV valve.
The Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve regulates the flow of gasses, vapors, and moisture between the crankcase and intake manifold, preventing pressure buildup. Its primary role is to release blow-by gasses and vapors into the combustion chambers for re-burning, contributing to efficient engine operation and cleaner air for the environment.
During tune-ups at your local Torrance Auto repair shop, it’s important to check your PCV valve especially if you're experiencing:
Increased oil consumption
Poor engine performance
Irregular idling
Let this Torrance community auto repair article relieve the pressure on the subject of tune-ups. Find out how PCV valves work, their importance, and how to change one when the time comes.
History Of The PCV Valve
Torrance is considered by some to be a great place to find relaxing things to do because we all need to let off a “little steam” once in a while. Your vehicle also needs to release some stress in the form of gasses and vapors that need to escape. Otherwise things “start leaking” and the air “starts stinking.” This is what it was like before the PCV valve was created. There are two types of systems that allows the crankcase gasses and vapors to escape an engine:
Open System - where gasses/fumes are released outside of the engine (into the atmosphere.)
Closed Loop System - where gasses/fumes are reintroduced into the engine to be reburned/used in order to promote efficiency both in performance as well as in emissions.
OPEN SYSTEM
Original engines of the day used either a hole on top of the engine/valve cover or a “road draft tube” to allow crankcase gasses, vapors, moisture, and pressure to escape.
The road draft tube was a simple concept where a tube connected into the valve cover and ran down the side of the engine. As the vehicle moved forward, air would pass by the opening of the draft tube, pulling the crankcase gasses and vapors out of the tube/engine. Even though this simple idea was genius, there was only one problem. When the car would stay idling (not moving) there was no “draft for the tube” so the gasses/vapors were not pulled out. Sitting in traffic and idling for long periods was less of a problem back in the day, however that changed over time and a new solution needed to be found.
An engine also needs to release pressure just like the crockpot analogy earlier. However, there is another aspect to this whole situation that needs to be dealt with and that is H2O. Any moisture that builds up as a result of the engine's operation needs to be removed. A black tarnish sludge is created when water and oil mixes and cooks. Sooner than later, trapped moisture in your oil pan becomes a recipe for premature wear and engine death.
CLOSED SYSTEM
The draft tube mentioned above, again, was part of an open ventilation system which came with problems, pollution being one of them. A solution was needed in the market to deal with the emissions being exhausted by an open system (otherwise known as “blow-by gasses”.) General Motors created the PCV valve in the early 60’s which was used in combination with a closed system.
The blow-by gasses produced by the engine were rerouted back into the intake manifold where the vacuum created within would carry the blow-by gasses back into the engine to be burned off.
How Does The PCV Valve Work?
The PCV valve remains closed when the vehicle is not in operation. However, when the engine is turned on and simply idling (example: the vehicle is at a stop sign,) the PCV valve limits the flow of gasses until the accelerator pedal is pressed.
Once the accelerator pedal is pressed:
The vehicle starts driving.
The vacuum of the engine counters the springs force.
The plunger inside the PCV valve opens to allow the gasses, vapors, and moisture to reenter the intake manifold.
Those gasses are then routed back to the engine's combustion to be used up.
How Do You Know If You Have A Faulty PCV Valve
The PCV valve can wear out over time which is why Torrance residents should get it checked during their routine tune-ups or other auto repairs. There are clues and codes that can help you find out if your PCV needs to be replaced:
Check Engine Lights - along with an OBD diagnostic scanner is what mechanics use to solve car problems both small and advanced. A bad PCV valve can set off the check engine light. If this has happened to you, it is best to seek the help of a Torrance auto repair mechanic that specializes in tune-ups. They have the experience to pinpoint your problems without making you waste time and money by replacing unnecessary parts.
Codes P053A, P0171, P052E, P0300 - are typical codes to look out for that can be tripped by a bad PCV valve.
Strange Clicks & Whistles - coming from the engine area can be a sign of PCV valve blues. A whistling sound may be caused by vacuum escaping from a tube or crack in the system while a ticking sound may be produced sometimes when the PCV valve is obstructed.
Higher Idles - can occur when the PCV valve is stuck which can be caused by age, oxidation, or dried oil sludge.
Rough Idling - can occur for the reasons mentioned above and can also be caused if the PCV valve is stuck open.
Rough Acceleration - can happen if the PVC is not opening as much as it should due to obstruction or oxidation.
Grey Or Dark Smoke - may be an indicator that your PCV is broken.
Increased Emissions - can be a sign of a bad PCV valve since it is needed to reintroduce the blow-by gasses back into the engine. Many Torrance drivers find this out the hard way when it's time to renew their California registration which is usually accompanied by a smog check. If your automobile fails to pass your smog inspection or if the service technician tells you they see an unusual amount of exhaust smoke, it’s time to take your vehicle to your local Torrance auto repair shop for a full vehicle fails an emissions test or you notice a visible increase in exhaust smoke, it could be an indication that the PCV valve is not effectively managing crankcase gasses.
Suspicious Oil Leaks - can be a sign of a blocked/closed shut PCV valve is not a good thing to have in a closed loop system. The pressure has to be released somewhere and that is usually through oil seals. If you have mysterious oil leaks that came from nowhere, then it is wise to check your PCV valve just to make sure.
How To Check For A Bad PCV Valve
While the signs mentioned above can indicate a potential issue with the PCV valve, conducting a simple check can provide further clarity. You should always seek a Torrance auto repair shop that regularly does tune ups. However, here are things one should look out for:
Find the location of your PVC valve by looking at the manufacturers manual or asking the parts person at your local dealer to show you the schematics of your vehicle. Needless to say, the PCV valve is usually found on the valve cover or near it.
Take Out the PCV valve and check it for internal damage or obstruction. Shake it and if it does not make a rattling sound, then it may be time to replace it.
If the PCV valve looks good to you, then check all the connections, hoses, and any other parts that connect with the PVC system for damage or loose parts.
Performing a vacuum test with a working vacuum gauge can check the PCV for proper function.
If it is determined that the PCV valve is the culprit for all your car problems, then changing it immediately is your next course of action. PCV valves are affordable and usually very easy to replace (unless there are other components that need to be removed in order to reach it. Changing your PVC valve according to the manufacturer's recommendation will usually keep you from ever having to diagnose PVC problems to begin with.
For Torrance drivers and residents of California's South Bay, check out George's Auto Care of Torrance for affordable and professional tune-ups and automotive repair. Whether it's a routine PCV valve check, a general tune-up, or addressing complex auto repair needs, George's Auto Care of Torrance is committed to resolving all your vehicle woe’s. We welcome all foreign and domestic makes and models. We also repair hybrid vehicles with great prices and fast turnarounds.
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