Does the oil trap even go bad?

chrisjm91 · Post by **chrisjm91** » 30 Dec 2014, 10:30

Ok hello and happy holidays to everyone. I am cleaning my PVC system for the third time in 6 months due to smoke from the dipstick tube and oil spewed on my hood. The problem still persists. I have the manifold off right now, again, and the ports to oil trap are clean as a whistle as is the PTC nipple??? All though thr dipstick gasket seems to be leaking. After the last attempt of cleaning my gas mileage dropped from 18.6mpg to 13.5mpg-14mpg with an egr flow code and system to rich code. I did not replace intake or egr gaskets after the last cleaning but I have all new gaskets and all new vacuum lines this time. Also one Intake manifold bolt broke while reassembling last time, I have two new ones on stand by. MY QUESTION IS: Does the oil separator go bad or can I just clean it with a screwdriver, carb cleaner, and by blowing it out with my air compressor? And why am I still having this problem even tho everything is clean (oil trap ports and PTC nipple) ASLO on a different note, this time the oil trap has discoloration? I have not lost any antifreeze? I am so lost any help would be appreciated! Thank you!

Post by **erikv11** » 30 Dec 2014, 10:34

The oil trap can definitely be cleaned and reused. The discoloration I have not seen before.

One possibility is there were some vacuum leaks when you put everything back together, that is what comes to mind when you say mpg went down and system too rich. Make sure all hoses have nice clean and tight connections.

chrisjm91 · Post by **chrisjm91** » 30 Dec 2014, 10:49

That what I figured too, so I bought the blue silicone hose from IPD. I guess ill replace those lines, clean the trap out, put it all back together and hope the smoking and oil spewing stops. I'm ecstatic that I don't have to wait on a new oil trap.

Post by **misha** » 30 Dec 2014, 11:25

chrisjm91 wrote:...I did not replace intake or egr gaskets after the last cleaning but I have all new gaskets and all new vacuum lines this time. Also one Intake manifold bolt broke while reassembling last time, I have two new ones on stand by.

This is why you have a LARGE vacuum leaks and this is the reason of the high consumption.Replace ALL gaskets and reinstall broken bolt.With vacuum leaks,engine should not run good.How is the engine running?

chrisjm91 wrote: MY QUESTION IS: Does the oil separator go bad or can I just clean it with a screwdriver, carb cleaner, and by blowing it out with my air compressor?

If it's installed new recently,then YES,you can clean it.If it's still original,than it needs to be replaced.

chrisjm91 wrote:And why am I still having this problem even tho everything is clean (oil trap ports and PTC nipple) ASLO on a different note, this time the oil trap has discoloration? I have not lost any antifreeze? I am so lost any help would be appreciated! Thank you!

What problem are you talking about....high fuel consumption or oil spray over the hood & engine?

Discoloration(milky oil) of oil in oil trap should be due to cold weather.

What is the condition of oil cap seal?

Bad oil dipstick seals can make oil escape while driving,especially if you drive it harder.

Post by **tryingbe** » 30 Dec 2014, 11:37

This is how I found the oil trap box.

Post by **misha** » 30 Dec 2014, 11:41

chrisjm91 · Post by **chrisjm91** » 30 Dec 2014, 12:01

The engine runs great actually. I am assuming this is the original oil trap but it wasnt ever clogged, nit even the first time I removed it. Just a little congestion back in the block ports. Thats good news on the discoloration, thank you.

The issue I have is the smoke coming from my dipstick and oil in the engine bay. The oil cap seal looks good.

Post by **misha** » 30 Dec 2014, 12:12

How is the oil consumption?

About vacuum leaks,aside intake manifold & egr gasket,did you reconnect the rubber elbow at the passenger's side of the engine.Power steering & alternator area?

If your intake manifold gasket is bad the engine would run like crap.

chrisjm91 · Post by **chrisjm91** » 30 Dec 2014, 12:27

Yes I actually had it pop off a few times but not in months. If the pvc system isnt clogged, then what could be causing the same result of a clogged pvc? Could a vacuum line be a suspect? Or what am I missing,

Post by **misha** » 30 Dec 2014, 12:31

chrisjm91 wrote:...If the pvc system isnt clogged, then what could be causing the same result of a clogged pvc? ...

You didn't answered about oil consumption...