Cigar smoke VS vac leaks

gswede · Post by **gswede** » 09 May 2016, 15:51

Noticed the engine running slightly rough, more soot on tailpipe and lowering MPG.
No fault codes stored.

Lit me a good quality cigar

Disconnect pipe from filterhousing, used clingfilm to close of the end, used the hoseclamp to get a good seal.

Connected a piece of hose on one of the nipples on the plastic hose

Huffed and puffet some smoke, found it coming out the foam insulation around the thick PCV pipe going to PTC
Cut off some of the foam insulation and found the pipe cut clean off.

Used a 4" fitting rubber hose and connected the 2 ends.
Back to running gooood

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 09 May 2016, 15:55

Any idea how that happened? :O

- S

gswede · Post by **gswede** » 09 May 2016, 16:09

No, not really. The hose just cuts clean off. I`ve seen other having the same issue in exactly the same spot. Must have something to do with manufacture. This hose is not subject to mechanical stress other than heat cycling.

Ohh and BTW, the hose was only 2 years old, from when I last changed the PCV.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 09 May 2016, 18:44

Love it.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 09 May 2016, 20:22

Cheaper than a smoke machine! These older plastic PCV hoses to the PTC aren't very well made.

Post by **abscate** » 10 May 2016, 03:56

Don't forget to finish that cigar to celebrate...

Post by **sleddriver** » 10 May 2016, 18:11

gswede wrote:No, not really. The hose just cuts clean off. I`ve seen other having the same issue in exactly the same spot. Must have something to do with manufacture. This hose is not subject to mechanical stress other than heat cycling. Ohh and BTW, the hose was only 2 years old, from when I last changed the PCV.

Back in 2007 or so when I did the full PCV replacement, the only fault I found was the rigid plastic pipe, inside the foam surround, had simply broken. I think it was the small rigid pipe. That was it! No clogged box, ports, PTC, lines, etc. Damn thing had snapped inside the foam tube. Only smoke would have found it. I like the idea of replacing that rigid plastic line with copper pipe.

That ought to do it......

Post by **sleddriver** » 14 May 2016, 22:17

To: gswede,
After reading your post and watching Robert's video, I decided to fire up my smoker to check mine. I did the full PCV about 8 yrs ago and remember the cracked pipe. I also opened the throttle and kept it open & plugged the small hole in the bottom of the intercooler. Afterwards it all pressurized as the bag over the intake pipe puffed out, smoke poured out when the oil fill cap was removed and the dipstick raised. Never saw, nor smelled any smoke. Even the rubber elbow on the pass. side of the IM was fine. That was a relief!! This car has kept me plenty busy tending her lately.