I IMPLORE YOU ALL -- CHECK YOUR FLAME TRAP OR PCV AT EVERY OIL CHANGE !!! IT WILL SAVE YOU THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS IF THIS IS DONE ON A REGULAR BASIS -dont forget to check all vacuum lines to make sure they are clear too- every now and then a bug or some fod will somehow get in there and block a line - god knows how they get in there but they do---- i know because i bought an 850 turbo that had !!never!! had an oil change -i found this out after calling the last 3 previous owners - and the oil cap and dip stick were epoxied in --PLEASE GUYS AND GALS - CHECK YOUR PCV'S- just do it as part of the oil change process- its easy and it takes about 45 min

 

I think that's the general consensus on here. The PCV system has been beaten to death on this site, all the threads should be combined and stickied.

 

there should be a diagram on what to check along with photos for us guys new to volvo.

 

There is a very good step by step diagram floating around on here about how to change the PCV system. I wish I knew where it was or saved the link. But I agree, there should be a sticky with diagrams and pictures of the PCV system and what to look for, what it does, symptoms of a clogged pcv, smoking dipstick, etc.

 

Here is the link, saved me a tons of time and trouble.


http://www.lakesidedp.com/uploadpics/pcv/

 

chebucto -- very nice - thank you - that may be a big help to many people that wish to do thier own work - good job -- ive seen that before but i just couldnt find it again -- i managed without it though -

 

Yes... this is pretty much an agreed- upon thing- the PCV systems in these cars are... shall we say... high- maintenance. On N/A cars, check/ clean the oil trap with every oil change. On all cars, I'd just assume change the whole PCV system when the timing belt is due... they usually get gunked up by 75,000 miles, anyway, and leaving it that way is asking for seal failures.

 

Check the PCV system at every oil change??? NO WAY!!! And how did you manage to find a car that has NEVER had an oil change??? Man, that sounds a little dramatic... I don't think a TURBO VOLVO could possibly function with an oil change unless it has under 20,000 miles on it.

I would go along with changing the PCV system every so often, maybe 10 years or 100,000 miles but not every other month. It just doesn't have mechanical usage like oil, antifreeze or tires.

BTW, if you can locate those previous owners, please slap them 1 good time for me (for even suggesting that they would drive a car without changing the oil).

 

Agreed. How the hell did you find a 10+ year-old-car that has never had an oil change???


I've always wondered - is it possible to clean the PCV, without replacing it? It's just hoses, right?

 

I guess you can clean it but when the hoses are 10+ years old, they really need to be replaced just to keep a decent seal. But my deal is that I replace oil every month or two. I'm not about to worry about the PCV system every time I change oil. Barely worry about the oil plug washer. I'm replacing the oil again before the washer seats well.

 

if you had a pcv problem wouldent you get a check engine?

 

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Nope.

And as for just cleaning the PCV system... it's technically possible, but it's almost impossible to take off all the hoses and pipes without damaging them. Also, you'd never get the oil trap perfectly clean.

And checking the whole PCV system every oil change is both completely impractical and unnecessary. I recommend changing the system with the timing belt at 70-75k. Now... NA cars, which have a flame trap as part of the PCV system, the flame trap itself should be checked and cleaned or replaced at every oil change. That is pretty easy to do, and the trap costs like $1.00.