oil catchcan

SirBrickWagon · Post by **SirBrickWagon** » 02 Nov 2021, 10:53

there's been oil leaking from my car lately, a 1997 855 wagon non-turbo. did the pcv test and the glove inflated. pretty sure the catchcan's full. any way i could just empty the catchcan instead of getting a whole new one? not looking for a permanent fix, just something to make the shitbox a little more presentable.

Post by **ZionXIX** » 02 Nov 2021, 13:42

The pcv isnt supposed to be a "catchcan" but if the lower port is clogged it will fill up. Many of us have upgraded to larger pcv hoses to account for older engine blow-by. Clean e erything from the ptc inlet to the pcv breather box and replace parts as necessary.

SirBrickWagon · Post by **SirBrickWagon** » 02 Nov 2021, 13:45

ZionXIX wrote: ↑02 Nov 2021, 13:42 The pcv isnt supposed to be a "catchcan" but if the lower port is clogged it will fill up. Many of us have upgraded to larger pcv hoses to account for older engine blow-by. Clean e erything from the ptc inlet to the pcv breather box and replace parts as necessary.

so how would i stop the car from leaking oil?

Post by **ZionXIX** » 02 Nov 2021, 13:55

The oil could be coming from anywhere. You're gonna have to look all around the engine bay to find it. If the engine is really gross you may need to clean it so you can find fresh oil. A clogged PCV system can force oil from any crankcase seals such as the oil cap, cam seals, oil dipstick, turbo lines. The list goes on. You already know the pcv is not working correctly. It's time to do a PCV job. There are several well documented threads on this forum as well as YouTube videos made by RobertDIY.

SirBrickWagon · Post by **SirBrickWagon** » 02 Nov 2021, 13:59

ZionXIX wrote: ↑02 Nov 2021, 13:55 The oil could be coming from anywhere. You're gonna have to look all around the engine bay to find it. If the engine is really gross you may need to clean it so you can find fresh oil. A clogged PCV system can force oil from any crankcase seals such as the oil cap, cam seals, oil dipstick, turbo lines. The list goes on. You already know the pcv is not working correctly. It's time to do a PCV job. There are several well documented threads on this forum as well as YouTube videos made by RobertDIY.

the top of the valve cover has oil overflow on it, and it's leaking from under the car around the drain plug.

Post by **erikv11** » 02 Nov 2021, 19:53

SirBrickWagon wrote: ↑02 Nov 2021, 13:59
ZionXIX wrote: ↑02 Nov 2021, 13:55 The oil could be coming from anywhere. You're gonna have to look all around the engine bay to find it. If the engine is really gross you may need to clean it so you can find fresh oil. A clogged PCV system can force oil from any crankcase seals such as the oil cap, cam seals, oil dipstick, turbo lines. The list goes on. You already know the pcv is not working correctly. It's time to do a PCV job. There are several well documented threads on this forum as well as YouTube videos made by RobertDIY.
the top of the valve cover has oil overflow on it, and it's leaking from under the car around the drain plug.

Oil on top of the valve cover is usually from a worn out seal on the oil cap, and/or that hose from the oil trap. Check the rubber gasket on the oil cap, is it hard as a rock or soft and pliable? I'd replace the oil cap seal, then clean all the oil from the engine and look for other places it is leaking.

Oil down by the drain plug could be coming from anywhere, for example from the top of the engine. See the post by Zion XIX.

duke1 · Post by **duke1** » 03 Nov 2021, 12:03

as said oil will find its way out of many places if pcv is blocked,oil cap is first ,well it was on mine then if you leave pcv blocked the camshaft oil seals leak in the worst extreme the rear main crankshaft oil seal can be damaged,the pcv takes maybe 2-3 hours work and is not as difficult as it seems and if you are wise and shop around for the parts there not hugely expensive and well worth doing if the car has a few miles on the clock like mine,153000 and not a single oil leak after the work,before it had many!
id start watching some of robertdiy vids on youtube ,good luck

SirBrickWagon · Post by **SirBrickWagon** » 04 Nov 2021, 08:35

erikv11 wrote: ↑02 Nov 2021, 19:53
SirBrickWagon wrote: ↑02 Nov 2021, 13:59
ZionXIX wrote: ↑02 Nov 2021, 13:55 The oil could be coming from anywhere. You're gonna have to look all around the engine bay to find it. If the engine is really gross you may need to clean it so you can find fresh oil. A clogged PCV system can force oil from any crankcase seals such as the oil cap, cam seals, oil dipstick, turbo lines. The list goes on. You already know the pcv is not working correctly. It's time to do a PCV job. There are several well documented threads on this forum as well as YouTube videos made by RobertDIY.
the top of the valve cover has oil overflow on it, and it's leaking from under the car around the drain plug.
Oil on top of the valve cover is usually from a worn out seal on the oil cap, and/or that hose from the oil trap. Check the rubber gasket on the oil cap, is it hard as a rock or soft and pliable? I'd replace the oil cap seal, then clean all the oil from the engine and look for other places it is leaking.

Oil down by the drain plug could be coming from anywhere, for example from the top of the engine. See the post by Zion XIX.

i've already replaced that. that's not the problem.

Post by **erikv11** » 04 Nov 2021, 09:21

That's good you replaced it already, then you can move on and consider the rest of the post. But you're right that's not the problem - like others said, even good seals will leak if the PCV is blocked.

The problem is the blocked PCV system and unfortunately there is no quick fix for a blocked PCV.

You can try dislodging the dipstick to relieve the pressure that way, but then the engine spews oil out the dipstick tube. Or you can install an actual catchcan but that would be more work than fixing the PCV. The pressure has to go somewhere.