Will «Glove test» on the PCV warn me before it is too late?

LOB · Post by **LOB** » 20 May 2016, 05:08

I assume the PCV system never has been cleaned on my 850 -97 LPT (imported from Illinois to Sweden in 1999 by its former owner). Since this job seem to be a lot of work I wonder if the glove test will warn me of over pressure before the engine starts to squeeze oil?

The oil has been changed with full synthetic oil every 1000 miles, (twice as often as a on Swedish 850) and the oil is amber colored even after 1000 miles so my guess is that it wont have clogged at all?? Any ideas? If I do the “glove test” every month will that be enough?

Best to test on the oil fill cap hole or the dip-stick?

Post by **abscate** » 20 May 2016, 07:56

If you changed the oil that often , 1000 miles or 1500 km, I would stop worrying about it..its probably squeaky clean inside.

Maybe glove test it twice a year or so. Pay attention to the level of smoke, etc. How many km are on the motor?

LOB · Post by **LOB** » 20 May 2016, 08:19

Forgot to mention... only 7500 miles! (odometer in miles in this car). Oil changle very 5000 miles, not every 1000, in Europe that is very frequent!

Post by **abscate** » 20 May 2016, 09:36

Synthetic oil every 5000 miles is very good. I think your engine will be very clean.

Post by **JDS60R** » 20 May 2016, 13:05

I see lots of cars running full synth changed every 5000-7500 build up some really hard deposits. Unfortunately the marketing is much better than the oil. That's not to say that there aren't plenty of good full synthetics that leave minimal deposits but don't be fooled that they "all" work that well.

This week I did an 07 S60 2.5T that ran synthetic from a local oil change place ( big name brand) at 133K miles it was completely clogged at the bottom port of the oil trap box. I have the service history for this car and she did change it every 5K.

You can use a simple cheap vacuum/pressure gauge so you can get actual figures. This way you will be able to see the vacuum become weaker and then the pressure increase.

That being said -the oil trap/box job is relatively easy. You could pull it, clean it and reinstall it on a weekend if you wanted. Its easier to have a new intake gasket or even all new parts- but that's up to you.

I take it off every car over 75K miles we get in. Then we use a top quality synthetic and never have to worry about it again.

LOB · Post by **LOB** » 20 May 2016, 13:46

JDS60R wrote:I see lots of cars running full synth changed every 5000-7500 build up some really hard deposits. Unfortunately the marketing is much better than the oil. That's not to say that there aren't plenty of good full synthetics that leave minimal deposits but don't be fooled that they "all" work that well.

This week I did an 07 S60 2.5T that ran synthetic from a local oil change place ( big name brand) at 133K miles it was completely clogged at the bottom port of the oil trap box. I have the service history for this car and she did change it every 5K.

You can use a simple cheap vacuum/pressure gauge so you can get actual figures. This way you will be able to see the vacuum become weaker and then the pressure increase.

That being said -the oil trap/box job is relatively easy. You could pull it, clean it and reinstall it on a weekend if you wanted. Its easier to have a new intake gasket or even all new parts- but that's up to you.

I take it off every car over 75K miles we get in. Then we use a top quality synthetic and never have to worry about it again.

Thanks!
Do you think this gauge will do the job concidering that the vacuum/ pressure is rather weak?

http://www.biltema.se/sv/Bil---MC/Verkt ... 000016980/

In swedish, but look at the picture!

Connected to the oil dip-stick? How much vacuum (unit?) should there be in a healty crankhouse?

gswede · Post by **gswede** » 20 May 2016, 14:19

Given the history of oil change frequency on this car and if fully synthetic being used, I`d doubt the PCV ever clogging up.
What might need looking into would be the hoses for the PCV, they dont last forever..

Post by **JDS60R** » 20 May 2016, 14:21

We just use a cheap fuel pump gauge
http://www.harborfreight.com/fuel-pump- ... 93547.html

You will see vacuum if working correctly and pressure if its not. Thats what the glove does - just a physical representation vs a gauge.

A lot of people on the 850 say the hose from the oil trap box to the throttle assembly is too small. Lots of good write ups here on MVS on how to put on bigger hose. 850 guys love it. They also throw out the flame trap filter ( little round thing with lots of holes in it.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 5&start=10

Post by **JDS60R** » 20 May 2016, 14:23

gswede wrote:Given the history of oil change frequency on this car and if fully synthetic being used, I`d doubt the PCV ever clogging up.
What might need looking into would be the hoses for the PCV, they dont last forever..

Keep in mind U.S. oil standards are lower than yours. This car came from Illinois .We see lots of full synth cars using low end ,cheap full synth fully clog up the box ever 80 - 100K miles. I show it to every customer so they can understand that whatever oil they were using. Its time for a different one.

Here is the Southern US oil gets tortured due to the heat. Illinois is considerably colder though.

Post by **JDS60R** » 20 May 2016, 14:49

Thanks!
Do you think this gauge will do the job concidering that the vacuum/ pressure is rather weak?

http://www.biltema.se/sv/Bil---MC/Verkt ... 000016980/

In swedish, but look at the picture!

Connected to the oil dip-stick? How much vacuum (unit?) should there be in a healty crankhouse?[/quote]

That one will be fine.
You might see 1-2 in/Hg vacuum. Once you have pressure you have a problem. And check as other poster stated for broken hoses.
My first step is to degrease and clean the area so I can see what I am doing