850 Turbo PCV Idea

shawny · Post by **shawny** » 07 Nov 2013, 14:33

It's been a mystery among volvo owners about the expensive PCV job. Other cars need $3 PCV valve while we spend $100+ for the simple PCV system. I am wondering if anyone could use a common pcv valve to solve the problem as many other cars.

Please tell me what is wrong with my thought. On top of engine, there is a hose close to oil filler and run to the breather box. I am wondering if you can fit the hose and connect to a PCV valve, then connect to the intake manifold like many other cars. If the pressure builds up there, the PCV valve will release it.

What am I missing here?

Post by **rspi** » 07 Nov 2013, 22:12

You have some cars that have a turbo charger and some that don't. Some cars are fwd and some designed RWD. Some cars have a timing belt, some have a chain. This car is designed to function properly with the oil trap box and PCV system, not a simple valve.

There is no mystery, just maintenance.

Post by **jblackburn** » 07 Nov 2013, 22:28

Quite a bit of oil finds its way through each one of those hoses (except the one from the turbo/intake - that's mostly just vacuum).

That's a lot of oil to dump into the intake.

Turbo cars generally have some kind of altered system to get rid of the oil blown by turbo seals, especially since they need to switch vacuum sources once under boost.

shawny · Post by **shawny** » 08 Nov 2013, 14:15

Then we can fit a oil catch can for it. It's not complicated. Agree?

jblackburn wrote:Quite a bit of oil finds its way through each one of those hoses (except the one from the turbo/intake - that's mostly just vacuum).

That's a lot of oil to dump into the intake.

Turbo cars generally have some kind of altered system to get rid of the oil blown by turbo seals, especially since they need to switch vacuum sources once under boost.

shawny · Post by **shawny** » 08 Nov 2013, 14:27

Robert, I like you videos. I really enjoyed them.

However, I could not agree with you on this. The original design might not be the best for all, otherwise the engineering is not improving. There is almost always a better way/cheaper way to do the same job. I believe the PCV system on volvo could be improved. Very few owners of other cars spend/worry as much as volvo owners on PCV system.

rspi wrote:You have some cars that have a turbo charger and some that don't. Some cars are fwd and some designed RWD. Some cars have a timing belt, some have a chain. This car is designed to function properly with the oil trap box and PCV system, not a simple valve.

There is no mystery, just maintenance.

Post by **rspi** » 08 Nov 2013, 15:37

To me, it's not a worry. Servicing something every 10 years is not an issue to me. I'm not sure why so many people make a big deal of it.

The only time it's an issue is when someone ignores it and doesn't service it for to long. Or installs cheap hoses.

I agree, it is a surprise if you buy one of these and quickly learn you have a $600 oil leak time bomb with a burning wick. But once you figure that out, just service it and move on. Less than 2 car payments. I think their deteriorating plastic, especially the dash is much worse.

Post by **erikv11** » 08 Nov 2013, 16:45

rspi wrote:To me, it's not a worry. Servicing something every 10 years is not an issue to me. I'm not sure why so many people make a big deal of it. ...

Yikes!!! Is that a typo?

Ignoring the PCV for 10 years is a great way to blow a rear main seal.

Post by **jblackburn** » 09 Nov 2013, 22:22

erikv11 wrote:
rspi wrote:To me, it's not a worry. Servicing something every 10 years is not an issue to me. I'm not sure why so many people make a big deal of it. ...
Yikes!!! Is that a typo?

Ignoring the PCV for 10 years is a great way to blow a rear main seal.

The PCV is an every 70/100K miles kinda thing. Like the timing belt.

Catch can - you could give it a shot, but I think you'll wind up with a lotta oil. Besides, the 2 oil pan holes would need to be blocked off anyway - and if you're going in there to do that, why not change everything in the first place?

Post by **burnout8488** » 09 Nov 2013, 22:39

And in some cases, the PCV systems last well past 120-140K without any clogging. I'd assume cars that are garaged and treated to on-time quality synthetic oil changes probably fare better in this department.

My '99 had 140K and the PCV system was immaculate, down to the ports in the block, yet it was original. Previously owned by someone with money that took care of their Volvo.

Cars that are parked outside, owned by non-enthusiasts, and given the Jiffy Lube treatment not very often are probably more prone to PCV blockage sooner than 120K.

Robert is right, the PCV systems in these cars are often only a weak point ONCE, then they are replaced. Rarely do people rack up enough mileage to warrant replacing a PCV system twice in their ownership.

Post by **abscate** » 10 Nov 2013, 07:12

Same experience with my 1999 T5, I ran Castrol changing it every 5000 religiously but recently switched to synthetic against all advice on the Internet. When I inspected the PCV it was open and clear at 150k miles throughout.

I think the 1999 on PCV with coolant heating of the hoses bungs up less that the earlier versions