Blocked PCV

[limey]

I changed the oil when I purchased the vehicle but found I needed to top up the oil after only 3K KM, the stick showed halfway yet there appeared to be no leaks.
After a search online, I found an article that describes how a PCV can cause oil loss if it is not operating correctly.
On inspection, the PCV was clogged shut and there was evidence of oil vapours being passed around the grommet leaving an oily film around the area.
I washed the valve with carb cleaner and replaced it, this until I get a new one. I guess I need to check the throttle body for gunk?
After a couple of weeks of owning the car I was not very impressed with it's performance, there was a noticeable flat spot on the accelerator pedal but since cleaning, something so simple as the pcv, the flat spot has gone and the performance is most satisfactory. I just need to keep my eye on oil consumption.
Here is an interesting link.
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/pcv-replace/index.html
I have searched this forum and have found little in the way of discussion on the subject of the pcv?
Regards

[sleepyalero]

Usually, a good working PCV (referring to fromt valve cover) if you pull it out, and shake it. You hear a rattle noise that means the PCV is good. If no rattle it needs replacing.

[zzyzzx]

I just replaced a PCV Valve on my 1995 Escort. The PCV valve had around 160K miles on it and did not rattle nearly as good as the new one. The new Motorcraft one I bought off Amazon does seem to make it idle better and I could only blow air through it in one direction. Supposedly the cheap aftermaket PCV valves you see in the stores leak air backwards. It will be interesting to see if this changes my oil consumption.

[zzyzzx]

I just got around to testing my old aftermarket PCV valve and yes I can blow through it in both directions. It just works better in one direction. This is different from the Motorcraft one, which only lets air by in one direction.

[falloutboy]

Than it is broken.
It only should go in one direction, enabling to suck oil fumes and blow-by gases out of the crankcase

[AleroB888]

I wouldn't worry about oil consumption, there would be other obvious symptoms long before that happened. PCV systems are an oily, sticky mess even when functioning properly. Check the inlet tube post-MAF for oil residue, or after the air cleaner for some models. You can also put a separate air filter on the rear inlet tube to the PCV if you want to get creative. Not technically correct, but most PCMs can compensate for the small difference in airflow metering. Consider a catch-can in line from valve to intake as well. PCV systems over time will still gum up parts of the upper intake, and in some cases allow uneven air and vapor distribution to each cylinder.

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted by falloutboy

Than it is broken.
It only should go in one direction, enabling to suck oil fumes and blow-by gases out of the crankcase

I found numerous people posting about air going in both directions on numerous new PCV valves, the ones purchased at local auto parts stores (Fram and Purolator branded mostly) did this. The OEM ones did not do this. My Escort runs better with the new Motorcraft one.

[AleroB888]

Originally Posted by zzyzzx

I found numerous people posting about air going in both directions on numerous new PCV valves, the ones purchased at local auto parts stores (Fram and Purolator branded mostly) did this. The OEM ones did not do this. My Escort runs better with the new Motorcraft one.

It could be that the PCV valve is designed to allow a little backflow, so it won't have a tendency to stick shut when going from deep vacuum conditions to zero vacuum.

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted by AleroB888

It could be that the PCV valve is designed to allow a little backflow, so it won't have a tendency to stick shut when going from deep vacuum conditions to zero vacuum.

I had thought about that, but the reports I found on the internet suggests that the aftermarket PCV valves are just crap. It's not just the Motorcraft PCV valves that were doing this, all OEM ones were, irregardless of manufacturer. That and cars tended to idle better (less surging while at a stop light and stuff).

[falloutboy]

Even in the case I would repeat myself.

Originally Posted by falloutboy

Than it is broken.
It only should go in one direction, enabling to suck oil fumes and blow-by gases out of the crankcase

Everything else, doesn't make sense in terms of a working PCV-system