DIY: 1998 Volvo S70 GLT PCV Mods

[kickin_it]

This is a tutorial to some of the mods that I made to my PCV system in addition to the PCV mod that cn90 currently has listed that can be found here.
I was having some oil leaks, smoking dipstick, and positive pressure that "blew" the elbow off of the PCV hose that connects to the cam cover.

1) I basically followed all of the steps listed in JBlackburns tutorial for dis-assembly.

2) Removed the plastic intake hose that contains the PTC and cleaned everything out. Replaced the PTC but before replacing the intake hose, I connected the 3 hoses at the bottom (PTC side) of the intake hose and routed them around the engine bay but DID NOT connect them yet.

Hoses replaced notice, the 5/8" inner diameter hose that will run to oil trap

3) Pulled the oil trap and all hoses off and cleaned what I was going to reuse. In this case it was just the oil trap and the upper-trap-to-block elbow. The short hose to the block at the bottom of the trap was shot after just 2 years and the upper hoses are being replaced with 5/8" ID hose.

Short hose to block (URO) shot after just 2 years

I decided to use a short length of 5/8" ID hose to replace this hose as well as use the two screw clamps.

short hose to block from bottom of trap

5/8" ID hose to block and trap

4) The top of the trap hoses were replaced with 5/8" ID hose that cn90 brought to the table to use on the PTC nipple. I also used 5/8" ID hose and routed the line to the top of the cam cover. I used the older preformed hose that came with the kit and used it on the top of the cam cover. It does not kink when trying to route things.

5/8"ID hose on trap to be routed

old trap hose that is now connected to cam cover

And it was routed under the fuel line and under the expansion tank line and around the power steering pump. The 5/8" ID hose is routed through the same space as the old one, in-between the 2nd and 3rd cylinders. The old line was sturdy enough for the 5/8"ID hose to slide over and use a screw clamp without crimping or with any leaks as of yet.

Cam cover PCV hose routing

Keep you updated.

[cn90]

I like it!
Very interesting.

However, I have a suggestion, why don't you connect the hose from the oil trap DIRECTLY to the cam cover, see my suggestion photo below:

Hose.jpg (109.27 KiB) Viewed 2804 times

[erikv11]

cn90's question seems a key one. We know for sure that flow through a hose is determined by the smallest orifice/section, not the largest. Because of the stepdown currently used here, I actually question whether that particular setup even achieves what we are after here (except greatly reduces the cost as intended, granted!). Thoughts?

FWIW, I know the 5/8 hose ID is attaches perfectly to the cam cover, I checked that recently and will switch my next PCV box to 5/8 to the cam cover too.

[mikealder]

My main concern with the top PCV hose lengthened and routed in the way shown is that it will get cooled by the ram air going through the radiator/ engine bay at speed, this will cause the vapour to condensate in the pipe probably blocking it much quicker than if it were routed normally - Mike

[kickin_it]

I was having issues with the 5/8"ID hose kinking if I ran the normal route. I might try and route it again but would need to pick up some more hose as I do not want to ruin my current setup. It at least has my car up and running again.

[cn90]

Your other option (to avoid kink in the hose) is to use the "5/8-inch heater hose elbow", $4 at Advance Auto:

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp ... 17190315-p

Elbow.JPG (47.61 KiB) Viewed 2788 times

[erikv11]

Keep in mind, an elbow like that will reduce the effective internal diameter of the entire hose to the smallest internal diameter of the elbow.

[kickin_it]

I think you are right that it would reduce it but I think we may already be restricted to the size of the outlets on the trap/separator and to the inlet on the PTC nipple. As long as the elbows or fittings that are used in the line are not smaller in diameter than the inner diameter of the outlets and inlets than anything used should be ok. Is my thinking on this correct or am I missing something?

[erikv11]

I agree with your thinking, if the elbow is no smaller than the other orifices then it is doing no harm. Sounds like it might be fine, not to mention so much better than a kink!

[kickin_it]

Pick up some 5/8"ID fuel line hose from the local Irish parts store, $2.09 a foot, not too shabby. I am in the process of replacing the lines but I have "popped" the top of the trap on accident and now have to pull it off completely and try to put back together and/or seal.