1996 850 Non Turbo PCV System

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 22 Dec 2015, 17:12

I know that the oil has been changed regularly on this car, and it
passes the glove over oil filler test everytime.
We have been advised to service the PCV system here but I'm wondering
if the car has been well maintained and the hoses feel fine without
cracking does it need anything more than the glove test at every oil change?

I am going to remove the flame trap in the next few weeks.

We are going to add some Seafoam to the oil before the oil change that will
be done in the next few weeks. Can it be poured into one of the PCV lines so
that it helps to clean the lines and plastic box parts of the PCV system?

Post by **erikv11** » 22 Dec 2015, 17:43

If truly none of the hoses are deteriorating, and the car passes the glove test, then you can leave the PCV alone. Watch out for crumbly rubber hoses and elbows. An alternative to a full PCV is to replace any lines that may be getting old; pay special attention to the rubber elbow on the power-sterring-pump side of the intake manifold. Common failure item, better to nip that in the bud.

Toss that flame trap, good move.

The Seafoam idea sounds reasonable but I haven't done it before, so no comment.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 22 Dec 2015, 17:54

Seafoam is fun if you do the full treatment. The smoke cloud when you start it back up is absolutely amazing but it all goes away after a couple of miles.

...Lee

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 22 Dec 2015, 19:07

The PCV service might have been done by the dealer once in the lifetime, but I don't
have the records so can't be sure.

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 22 Dec 2015, 19:18

We don't plan to do the air intake method since it doesn't have any carbon knock
but who knows perhaps we should.
This guy tests it with before and after pictures looking into the combustion chamber
with a camera. Nice job:

He tested quite a few and Seafoam really seems to work.

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 22 Dec 2015, 19:23

He does the same thing in his lawnmower but in this case he also pours some
in through the spark plug hole and lets it sit. I'd be a bit nervous about
hydro locking a car engine but I bet if a very small amount was used and it
was left over night it would bleed down past the rings. I suppose one could
air dry it the next day with compressed air.
I wonder if it might help the rings seat better in a really carboned up engine.

Post by **oragex** » 22 Dec 2015, 20:14

I would at least remove the front O2 sensor when putting such stuff into the engine intake or inside the cylinders

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 24 Dec 2015, 09:17

Yes if we do the air intake thing we will consider that.

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 24 Dec 2015, 09:19

Wondering which of the safe oil additives is the best solvent to help remove
gunk from the box? On the other hand where is the gunk going to go, into the
oil filter, I hope?
I know that this car was well taken care of so I'd hope that there is not a lot of sludge.

Post by **erikv11** » 24 Dec 2015, 14:41

The bottom channel in the oil trap ("the box") drains straight into the oil pan. I'm actually not sure what the path is from there to the filter, if it first goes through the engine or first through the filter.