P80 Positive Temp Coefficient Nipple "PTC VALVE" To drill, or not to drill

Post by **abscate** » 16 Apr 2019, 06:58

I sit wiser in the end to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous Crankcase pressure on the PTC Nipple?

This thread is for discussion on drilling, cleaning, and both on high mileage Volvo P80 engines

Volvo says clean every 60k

Excellent teardown thread here by Lee

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forum ... =1&t=68898

Post by **abscate** » 16 Apr 2019, 06:58

One jerks opinion

The PTC Nipple

The PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) Nipple is just a hole, or Orfice nipple , to use the Volvo term. Its often mistakenly called a valve as it has an electrical connection, but that is just a heating element to keep the sludge from condensing and blocking it. It is a valve in the sense that it regulates vacuum to the Positive Crankcase Ventilation system, but it does not open and close like most think of a valve.

It is often drilled out, when in fact it is a required cleaning maintenance item every 60k miles on a new car, and (my recommendation) 30k on an old Volvo.

The reaction to "Hey the PTC is clogged, lets drill it out" should be "Why didn't I clean this per schedule?"

No judging here.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 16 Apr 2019, 07:06

Volvo put it there for a reason. Don't mess with it other than making sure it works by cleaning it.

My two cents.

PS that goes for things like cats and other stuff as well.

Post by **abscate** » 16 Apr 2019, 07:13

I could not find the PTC Nipple as a separate part - it does come with the Air Hose (Snorkel)

9186200 9445351

Danonly55 · Post by **Danonly55** » 16 Apr 2019, 07:20

Can this part be accessed without removing the intake manifold?

Post by **ZionXIX** » 16 Apr 2019, 07:59

Mine didn't even need to be drilled. It just popped out with a little prying.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 16 Apr 2019, 08:20

Danonly55 wrote: ↑16 Apr 2019, 07:20 Can this part be accessed without removing the intake manifold?

Yes, it sits at the bottom of the intake elbow, just before the turbo inlet.

The concept of drilling it out is to help vent crankcase gasses back into the intake a little easier. Usually the PTC itself is able to be removed with some prying, no drilling required for removal.

Post by **erikv11** » 16 Apr 2019, 09:00

I first posted these in ZionXIX's thread viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84698. It's been 18 months now, with no ill effects on my 95 R.

The PTC is not available separately as a replacement part, good news is you will almost never need a new one, there's nothing to break or wear out. Great junkyard part in that sense.

The grommet for the base of the PTC is available separately from Volvo as part number 3507985, about 4 bucks. Very worthwhile to replace that!

Post by **erikv11** » 16 Apr 2019, 09:08

Danonly55 wrote: ↑16 Apr 2019, 07:20 Can this part be accessed without removing the intake manifold?

Yes, it is not located near the intake manifold it is down low near the brake booster at the firewall. And non-turbo cars like yours do not have a PTC. You may be thinking of the flame trap orifice specific to NA cars, which can be accessed by removing the air intake from the front grill and/or the air filter box for full access,.

Post by **Chuck W** » 16 Apr 2019, 09:10

erikv11 wrote: ↑16 Apr 2019, 09:00

The grommet for the base of the PTC is available separately from Volvo as part number 3507985, about 4 bucks. Very worthwhile to replace that!

Thanks for that PN. When I did the PCV refresh on both cars, that grommet was pretty soft and I wondered if a replacement was available.