Did I trash my PTC valve

[azureblue]

Thanks. No I didn't put another hole in it - was careful cleaning it out,and, like I said, it was totally blocked when I pulled it...... I think my PCV system is really clogged up.......

[MadeInJapan]

Your oil is probably from the PTC finally letting loose and everywhere oil can leak now it leaks. Yes, you need to service it or get it serviced. Hopefully you don't have any major seals leaking. I will say this though, when I first did mine I had a terrible leak and I thought it could be the rear main but it ended up being the rear cam seal (covered by the throttle position sensor- tps) and that one is not hard to deal with- in fact, it's the easiest of all seal leaks in my opinion!

[azureblue]

For now I pulled the dipstick out a little and the RMS leak almost stopped. A temporary band aid until I can get the parts, I doubt the RMS will stop leaking once the PCV system is fixed, but anything if better than it was.. Thanks

[azureblue]

Theory question: What would happen if that hole was enlarged? That is, would it have the same effect as putting in a 5/8" hose from the PCV can?

[Sommerfeldt]

Nothing would probably happen, as such - the chance of it clogging up again is probably lower, but then again, the whole thing has it's dimensions for a reason. I expect the heating might not work as well with a larger volume of throughput.

- S

[erikv11]

In theory, widening the PTC hole should make a big diference. Everyone loves the fat hose PCV modification but really its only advantage in a stock setup is that it is cheap and easy. In theory, just adding a 5/8 hose actually does almost nothing to improve flow. The flow will always be limited by the size of the smallest orifice in that pathway, which is the PTC. Open the PTC, you have an opportunity to open the flow.

[azureblue]

that's what I thought, too - a larger hose won't make much of a difference if it still has to breathe through a small hole..

[Sommerfeldt]

that's what I thought, too - a larger hose won't make much of a difference if it still has to breathe through a small hole..

That's true, but with the larger hose, you move the probable point of clogging to a far more manageable location, at least - it's easier to pull the intake hose or PTC and clean that, than dismantling the whole PCV system.

Remember also that the amount of flow in this system is pretty limited. In an otherwise healthy system, you won't need increased flow, you need free flow, which is what a larger hose will help achieve.

- S