Crank Case Upper PCV Vent hose completely removed -- OK to drive without? || 07' XC-70

[DIYgettingBy]

Couldn't get my XC70 (07, 211k miles) to start after stopping by the gas station this morning; found the upper PCV hose to the crankcase (plastic instead of the older rubber, of course) snapped off. Taped it together enough to get it back home but managed to catch on camera it completely disintegrating while taking photos to post on here. [Pictures are in the next post below]

Is it safe to drive the car without it attached while I wait for the parts to come? (It's my only means of transportation)

It's a bummer because I just had this car given back to me (bought it for pennies w/ no title to use for parts years ago for my old s60, gave it to a friend who was in need) and after going through the process of making it fully road legal, managed to have a functioning car for the first time in two years for a grand total of one week.

The PCV system clearly should be fully replaced, but my health is in too rough shape right now to go through the whole process of redoing the system and money is even tighter. I'll probably buy the whole pcv kit anyways, but I might end up having to just replace that crank case hose for now until my health is a bit better. Can someone confirm for me that this is the right kit for the PCV system from FCP Euro? I see there's two different PCV system kits depending on engine serial number for 2007. (Last 6 digits of my VIN are 271122)

[DIYgettingBy]

Classic upper PCV breather hose disintegration in real time

[volvolugnut]

It may suck in air and dirt or it may blow out gases and oil. Definitely not emissions legal. But not likely to hurt much on the car for a while.
volvolugnut

[jonesg]

Replacing the hose requires removing the intake manifold so you're in there either way.

ask the tech advisers at FCP to guide you on the correct parts.
I would run it as is for now, i don't believe it would stop the engine from running, something else might be going on.

from the looks of the baffle in the oil fill port its gunked up, oil and filter change ? 5-30 full synth oil.

[cn90]

Actually you can remove the hose in situ.

I posted the trick somewhere in the XC90 forum...
Basically a long flat screwdriver going in from the driver's side.
Also, use an appropriate socket and enlarge the lower end of the hose, this way, it simply slides into the nipple connection on the box. A little oil will make slide in smoothly.
Put a hose clamp on it before sliding it down.

[DIYgettingBy]

Actually you can remove the hose in situ.

I posted the trick somewhere in the XC90 forum...
Basically a long flat screwdriver going in from the driver's side.
Also, use an appropriate socket and enlarge the lower end of the hose, this way, it simply slides into the nipple connection on the box. A little oil will make slide in smoothly.
Put a hose clamp on it before sliding it down.

Oh hey, I spent a good deal of yesterday reading your S70 PCV mod thread and the 04 V70 one. Thanks for those. I'll check out that XC90 thread.

I was thinking about getting some 5/8" rubber fuel line and doing the high mileage mod you showed off in that thread. I'll give that XC90 thread a read. I'm trying to figure out if my 07' XC70 requires the late-model PCV system kit that is 4x the cost of the earlier kit. The car was given a rebuilt title in Colorado at some point so I don't trust the timing belt cover serial number or VIN matching the engine block (although the presence of oetiker clamps and plastic crankcase vent hose makes me think that this car is still on it's original PCV system somehow). The $500+ kit is a not an option and the increased diameter in the system would definitely help.

Did anyone ever try out widening the PTC opening as was discussed? I have like 4 of them laying around from various "anything you fit in the wheelbarrow is $60" days at my local junkyard and may give it a go.

[scot850]

As cn90 says, that one hose can be fitted in place if yo know someone with bendy slim arms. I helped a friend's son with his S60 AWD replace the terrible corrugated pipe that had crumbled to nothing without disassembling anything other than the pipe and the sparkplug cover. Also check the condition of the oil fill cap seal and replace if hard as the oil will lessen the life of that hose.

Just don't use URO branded hoses unless you like regular do-overs. This may be one case where if cheap enough it may be worth a try at least to seal the system enough to test the PCV system to see if it is blocked. If it is, it may be the reason the pipe cracked where it did.

Once the system is sealed, then try the rubber glove test over the oil filler port and see if a glove with an elastic band inflates or not. That will give you a guide to the condition of the PCV system. If the system is pressurizing, you can try lifting the dipstick and tie a rag around it to lower the breather system pressure and hopefully save your cam and crank seals until you get the PCV repairs figured out.

Neil.