PCV upper vent hose broken 2006 S60 2.5T

wsmuller · Post by **wsmuller** » 21 Jul 2013, 12:03

So, I've suffered the common problem of the broken upper vent/breather hose on my 2006 S60 2.5T. Did an oil change yesterday and as I was pouring the new oil in the filler, I barely nudged the hose and it just fell off. I just bought the car two months ago, so I don't really know, but it looks like it had been deteriorating for some time.

I plan on replacing the whole PCV system, but I have to wait for the parts to arrive and have to drive the car in the meantime. Is there anything I need to worry about or watch for as I drive it?

Post by **jimmy57** » 21 Jul 2013, 12:08

It will make a mess but you can wash engine after you are done and everything is sealed up. Also remove and blow out spark plug wells as these engine LOVE to get water down in there when you wash engine and the misfires usually happen later when you may have forgotten about the wash job.

Be sure the lower port that lets oil condensed in box drain back into sump is clear. This opening being plugged will not let oil go back and it will use oil but not have crankcase pressure problems as evidence of any problem.

wsmuller · Post by **wsmuller** » 21 Jul 2013, 12:12

I'm not familiar with this system at all, and I rarely do repairs like this myself, so could you explain and describe the lower port?

Thanks for the reply.

Post by **jimmy57** » 21 Jul 2013, 12:20

You remove intake manifold and there is two small water hoses and a vaccum line running to a fitting at the front bottom of intake plenum. There is a hollow bolt with a check valve inside that needs carb spray cleaning to be sure it is clean.
With intake out of the way you will see the box I'm referring to. It will have an odd hose off the side that goes onto a largo port that crankcase vapors come from in addition to the cylinder breather hose that has cracked. There is a rear bolt for the box and a front lower one that is accessible using a 6 inch extension and 10 mm socket (I have found one car with 8mm heads, thanks FOMOCO) to get it out. The bottom of the box will have a metal sleeve with a rubber sleeve liner that connects drain port of box to the low post on block. This lower one will almost assuredly be cruddy and at least partly blocked.

wsmuller · Post by **wsmuller** » 21 Jul 2013, 12:28

Ok. At first, I wasn't sure if this was something to do now or when I replace the system. Thanks for the help. I'll post the results when I get it done -- hopefully next weekend.

Post by **mikealder** » 21 Jul 2013, 12:54

Best way to check the lower PCV port is clear is to attach a length of 5/8" dia heater hose to it then try to blow through it, if you can hear bubbling from the sump and can blow through it then it is clear, if you can't blow through it then it is still blocked. The port goes all the way to the bottom of the sump before turning upwards for an inch or two where it releases the PCV oil back in to the sump - Mike

wsmuller · Post by **wsmuller** » 21 Jul 2013, 12:59

Is there any way to check this without removing the intake manifold? Reason I ask is if it is clear, I could simply replace the broken hose instead of the whole PCV system. Or should I replace the whole system even if it is clear?

Post by **JRL** » 21 Jul 2013, 14:06

Not really
Replace the hose and do a breather test

Post by **jimmy57** » 21 Jul 2013, 14:30

How many miles on the car and how clean is the oil filler cap area (the grate thing)?

If the crankcase vent system is not blocked at this time then the hose is all you have to do to make the car useable without setting codes for the vent system leakage. The hose being broken can lead to fuel trim out of range codes.
The breather test can be as simple as rubber glove sealed over dipstick tube while it idles. If it ok the glow might faintly inflate. if it pops, that ain't good.

wsmuller · Post by **wsmuller** » 21 Jul 2013, 15:36

It has 145k miles. The oil filler cap area is relatively clean. I bought the car from a dealer, and it looked like they had cleaned the engine pretty well.