Replacing the pcv trap on my XC90

JessRose7 · Post by **JessRose7** » 22 Jun 2012, 11:38

Hello - I was just told at the dealership that my 2005 XC90 AWD with 70k miles needs the PCV trap replaced (@ ~$850). It doesn't seem that uncommon from the research I've done. However, I am driving the car out to Ohio (from CT) a round trip of just under 1000 miles. Can I make the trip and then make the repair? How urgent is a repair like this?

Post by **osman** » 22 Jun 2012, 16:19

depends. is your dipstick smoking or do you have oil all over the bottom of your engine?
most of the time the PCv system is intact but clogged. it has to be removed to clean but usually not replaced.

Rocky · Post by **Rocky** » 06 Jul 2012, 08:14

My mechanic replaced the oil trap and cleaned all the hoses for a fraction of that price.
Are you losing oil? First indication of anything wrong for me was the loss of 2 qts of oil.

It's not mileage dependent rather usage dependent.

joelq · Post by **joelq** » 06 Jul 2012, 16:21

My Volvo shop (not dealer) was going to charge me ~$600 for PCV trap replacement and throttle body clean. I say was because as they got the actual oil trap out, they found it was filled with gunk, and that the path in the engine from the trap to the oil pan was completely clogged. They normally force compressed air through the engine's oil trap port to get the bubbling sound of an open path, but didn't get that. So, they had no choice but to drop the oil pan in order to clean from underneath, costing a few more hundred $$$. :-/

Needless to say, my engine with ~148k miles on it now runs great!

To your question of urgency - I think you're fine going on your Ohio trip. Just make sure you check your oil level since, as Rocky mentions, one symptom of a clogged PCV system is oil loss.